Originally Posted by 84fiero

For Australia, you can stopover in Asia or Oceania. In fact an Oceania (American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Vanuatu, Samoa) stopover should usually cause it to price out lower than just to Australia alone. Of course you're likely to find more award availability and stopover options in Asia.

Whether the partner option is worth the extra miles is up to you...research some reviews on the partner(s) in question to get an idea. Same with whether J to F is worth the extra miles - that question is also dependent on the aircraft and how much better the F seats are, in addition to service differences.

Originally Posted by alexisonsmith

Hi and welcome to Flyertalk!

In answer to your questions you cannot route via Europe without purchasing two seperate awards, which would be expensive.

you can fly via Asia. Also you can have a stopover in Asia if ypu would like as well. Open Jaw's are also possible but not on all routings.

in terms of product you are right United Partners have a better quality product. Asiana is probably my favorite partner to fly since their First Class is easily accessible.

Hope that help!

Alex