First time for me, taking a "trip" with no purpose other than to accumulate miles and upgrades.

LAX -> SFO -> LAX on an A ticket for $443.

If I understand the two applicable promos, I should get 2 CR1's which I will use for a LAX <-> JFK trip, and a bunch of EQM miles, for triple actual and class of service bonuses.

The legs I selected only had a 30 minute gap between arrival & departure in SFO, and I barely made it. Was a little nervous when captain said flight would be delayed arriving SFO, but we touched town at 9:45 and they opened to door at about 9:55.

OK, now a Q. I keep seeing cheap fares advertised to SYD and always want to go. But when I search I get $1,200 and up. Where are these cheap fares?