Hello all,

This is my 1st time posting so I apologize in advance if this is the wrong area.

My dilemma. I want to go to Australia to visit a friend for New Year's. Of course this is SUPER PEAK season and all the airfares I am finding are $1800 + from the East Coast to Adelaide (SYD is marginally cheaper).

I'm looking for ideas for creative ideas to cheapen the price. My inital thought was to try a Japanese bucket shop or the like and go via Japan. I'm willing to fly a little longer to really lower the price. Is this a fool's errand? Any ideas?

I'm trying very hard to get 60,000 MileagePlus miles to do this trip (getting seats will be another problem, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it). I could even leave straight from LAX if need be.

If you have any help or advice I'd love to hear it! Many thanks.

SkyBoy