JDiver

BA requires connecting in the UK mostly, BA charges award miles per segment and BA always charged “carrier imposed surcharges” on award flights. Iberia is a better carrier to use intra-Europe. But for a lot of EU Travel is worth looking at the train, or using a LCC for these relatively short flights.

AA has announced they’re moving toward dynamic awards, and the rumors are heavy for a devaluation of AA miles coming at the end of July. For using miles & Points for four on long haul flights, I’d advise you not to get your hopes up with those accumulated miles and points.

I’ve travelled for longer periods of time (up to a year) and would advise you to choose a few places you can settle and work out of. E.g. take day and multi-day trips from a place you can out your feet down in for a bit. The more you move, the more you pay. Look at seasons - E.g. New Zealand you can rent a camper and drive North and South Island in April and enjoy good weather, lower prices. Look at prices - Japan, Bora Bora are bloody expensive. In French Polynesia Moorea, otoh, can be cheaper, is reachable from PPT by high speed ferry and is both every bit as beautiful as Bora Bora and has a lot more opportunities to meet real people.

Plan, research, plan, research. Accumulate credit card points you can use for transport or transfer as convenient.