Actually no further along than when I posted. A WAMU Mastercard was tried on the Lion Air site and came back denied. Mastercard was less than helpful again.

I have e-mailed the suggested TA and have received no response. Also have e-mailed the Santika Hotel in Pontianak and also received no response. Yes, I can buy the tickets in Indonesia but Pontianak is not an easy destination. If flights are full the week before Chinese New Year, (Pontianak has a large Chinese population), there are no good alternatives. It is mandatory to be in Kuching to pick up the award ticket itinerary so my preference is to have a ticket in advance, just not a $240 OW on Garuda or even a $172 one from Expedia when the LCC's are selling now for around $65. Price will go up closer to departure especially if load factor is high.

Anyone have any further thoughts?