Using Miles on OneWorld
 

I am confused about how I can use my Qantas miles to book American Airlines flights. I am currently earning miles on Qantas, because AA requires 2500 miles before I can earn AA miles on Qantas equipment.

When I return to the US, I want to use my Qantas miles to book an AA flight. From my (limited) understanding, I think I need to book through Qantas and will be subjected to their 2500 "assistance" penalty, correct?

The major issue is that I won't be flying qantas in the near future and want to use up my miles. Thanks!

Correct. You must book QF awards on AA with QF -- AA is not involved (except to fly you). If the award cannot be booked on the web site (and most cannot) then there is the assistance fee. QF awards are great for short flights (cheaper than AA) and bad for longer AA routes (can cost triple or more than AA charges). Hope you were planning to fly NYC-BOS or some such short route.

First I have heard of this requirement - is it new?

Dave

I'm not 100% sure on the 2500 miles requirement. My girlfriend called AA and asked about earning miles and they told her she needed 2500 before she could earn AA miles on Qantas flights. I didn't really look into the matter to be honest.

I will probably have 20000 miles when I get back to the US. Sadly, I live in Cincinnati, Ohio (Delta hub) and go to school in Durham, NC (RDU). American services RDU, but I would have to go through Chicago to get to Cincinnati. It would probably eat a lot of miles. Maybe I will give them as a gift to someone.