I know I have posted about this trip a couple of times but I want to be sure I get what I want. Again trip will be in July or August 2011 for 3 weeks. YYZ - SYD in Business for all flight if possible. I'm also hoping to get a stop over in RAR either on the way there or back. So my options are as I see them

There
YYZ - LAX (AC or SA)
LAX - RAR (Stopover) Sunday flight only on NZ
RAR - AKL (NZ)
AKL - SYD (NZ)

Back
SYD-YYZ (AC34)

or

There
YYZ-SYD (AC33)

Back
SYD - AKL (NZ)
AKL - RAR (Stopover)
RAR - LAX Saturday flight only on NZ
LAX - YYZ (AC or SA)

I am confused about how the process will work.

I understand that the flights become available 355 days before departure (On AC anyway. Not sure about SA or NZ). So how do you book a 3 week long trip if you have to wait 21 days after the 355 day window to book your return flight.

Example

Today you can now book a Feb 12th flight YYZ to SYD. Currently showing 2 available business seats on the following flight

Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
to Sydney Kingsford (SYD)

Dep. 20:15
Arr. 10:15
Stops: 1Sat. Feb 12, 2011
Mon. Feb 14, 2011
Duration: 22h 00 minAircraft: 77L
Meal: Complimentary meal
AC33Business
Total travel time: 22h 00min

This will most likely be the flight I want to book (AC33 in July or Aug). Now if I look at Feb 11 all rewards seats for this flight seem to all be gone already. So if I want this flight but can't book my return for 3 more weeks how to I reserve these seats without a complete Itinerary. I know if I wait three weeks these seats will not be available so how does one go about doing this.

Again sorry for being a PITA but I just want to make sure I have a plan to book this and there are no surprises.

Thanks

FB