WRT Australia travel, in 1986 I had (finally) accumulated 150,000 miles, enough (then) for two first class to Australia. That was the plan. But that spring, United bought Pan Am's Asia routes, and they had a special: two first class to Hong Kong or Tokyo for only 87,500!! Both awards included five nights at a Westin; there's one in Tokyo but wasn't one in Australia. So we decided in about two day's time to visit Japan, one of my most memorable trips ever. (Back then the Yen was at 160/$, and everybody said it's so expensive. Today you'd kill for 160, and besides, who cares about expense when the air and first five nights are free?!)

Finally made it to Australia (two first class for 120,000 "old" miles) in '93, and New Zealand (same deal) in '94. Definitely recommend NZ over Australia: the cities rather reminded me of London (and I'd rather go to London), but the Great Barrier Reef was a mind-blower.