Thanks for your replies so far, I'll give it a shot and if not I'll fly a different airline. That's what competition is for right?

Yes I am buying a one way tickets. $677 BNE-LAX (via Fiji) on Air Pacific or $690 BNE-LAX direct on VAustralia. I would buy a return ticket, but the return date is too far away and too undecided, those one way deals are about half a return fare anyway, so no harm in 2 x one way....

I would have thought 2 x bums on seats would be worth 'baggage allowance matching', but I bet the front line staff probably have there hands tied by the t+c's.

No harm in trying soon though, might try and smooth over a person I know that works for Virgin Blue first...

Cheers