Not only have i never been on this forum...but i have never been on any forum. So, please go easy on me!!

As luck would have it...I have fallen in love with a man that lives half way across the world. For the most part he travels here, but I am planning a trip for my son and I in February of 2003 to New Zealand (from Austin, TX).

I have never used any type of FF program and I don't really do much flying. I have signed up for the AAdvantage program thinking that I could get quite a few miles from the credit card. Is this the way to go for this specific flight...or should i look into other options?

Also, how do I know how many miles/points I need to get there?
Any clarification will help...I have no idea how any of this works.

Please remember that I am new...so any abbreviations will probably go straight over my head!

Thank you very much!!