Air New Zealand Air Points - Book now or wait?

I have no flexibility in dates. As for routing, I must go LAX-AKLx-SFO or ORD-LAX-AKLx-SFO-ORD (x indicates stopover) on very specific dates and very specific flights in February.

The ORD-LAX-AKLx-SFO-ORD is pricing out now at USD$ 2000 on Air New Zealand's US website.

Should I book this today,or hope it will come down? I notice they have sales on for travel in Nov 08, Dec 08, May 09, Jun 09.

Is it likely they'll have a sale for Feb 09?

February is a busy travel month to and from NZ. It is still high tourist season, and business travel has picked up again after the light Christmas/New Year period.

Normally I would not expect sales.

You may find it cheaper by splitting up on 2 tickets (ORD-LAX/SFO-ORD and LAX/SFO-AKL-LAX/SFO).

PS x normally means transit not stopover!

Thank you for your reply. Can you give an example of the proper use of "x" in an itinerary please?

ORD-xLAX-AKL-xSFO-ORD

Thank you.