If you're not too hung up about going to SYD via HNL, try NZ. Very late last year (late Dec. 2000), I tried to get an AC BC award ticket YVR-HNL for April-May 2001 travel. Very few dates were available (only one depature in the 2nd half of April, and only one return in the latter half of May) which were no good. I called Aeroplan back and asked them about NZ flights (Aeroplan staff don't exactly tell you there are *A partner alternatiaves available). Got exactly the dates I wanted. Never even had to check UA.

[This message has been edited by terenz (edited 08-20-2001).]