I thought this might be a reasonable forum to pose this query!
After completing my DONE4 and achieving QF Platinum in June, I thought I might go after some status with AA on my next trip in November, and take their Plat Challenge.
The intended route is BNE-LAX-MCO-NYC-LAX-BNE.
I believe the Qantas flights need to be booked under the AA codeshare for the Challenge, and therefore booked through AA.

Now, the dilemmas:

1. I'm quite happy to travel Qantas Economy for the trans-Pacific sectors.
2. I would like to book the AA Domestic sectors in F.
3. I would like to try for for a Qantas FF points upgrade to J on the return (either from New York or LAX depending on flights available). I believe that upgrades are only available on QF flight numbers on QF metal, so would look at booking the return flights through QF)

How would I best book this itinerary? Separately through AA and QF, and try to link the PNRs? I would worry that if the BNE-LAX was booked separately from the onward flights LAX-MCO that the chance of misconnection would be increased! And there's no simple way to make the AA bookings in two classes, is there?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Easily done, although you would need to book it via a TA, and the cost might blow out a little bit due to the mixed carriers. Would look something like this:

BNE-AA-LAX-AA-MCO-AA-JFK-AA-LAX-QF-BNE

Dave

I am currently considering a very similar booking:

• MEL-SYD-LAX-SYD-MEL on QF in Y
• LAX-DFW-ORD on AA as a KUPP
• ORD-PIT on AA in Y (single class service)

I was going to book via the QF and AA websites and try and have the PNR's linked. There would be a 3 hour transit in LAX which should help avoid a QF-AA mis-connection.

My only concern at the moment is more to do with lost luggage, given the experiences of some other FT and AFF posters. I would be doing MEL-SYD-LAX-DFW-ORD-PIT in a single day so there is some risk of things (checked luggage) going pear shaped along the way.

The trip is only a couple of weeks away so need to make a decision soon...

It isn't just luggage you need to worry about. Linking PNRs will not protect you for misconnection - all it does is inform AA where you are coming from.