I just ticketed two Business Class Explorer Awards for December the first half of December. It took about 4-5 hours of researching on ExpertFlyer and about 30 minutes on the phone with an AAgent. Our Awards came in at Zone 7 (24,511 miles total) so it was 150,000 miles a piece and $155.00 in taxes for each ticket. I feel like I got a good deal, especially considering it's peak time in Australia!

Itinerary:

1) DFW-ORD in AA F (2 nights in ORD to enjoy the Michigan Avenue Christmas lights. Plus my significant other has never been.)
2) ORD-NRT in JAL Business (5 hour layover.)
3) NRT-SYD in Business on the Upper Deck of the QF 747 (8 full days and 8 nights in Sydney.)
4) SYD-PVG in QF Business (3.5 hour layover in PVG.)
5) PVG-LAX in AA Business (2 hour layover.)
6) LAX-DFW in AA F