I'm a little late, I think, in getting going on booking a trip for my husband and me from LAX to South Africa in August. We want to fly Star Alliance for PQM and PQD (and know this can be tricky). Any body have any advice on routing, the chance up upgrades, etc. I do have 2 RPUs (first time), and am not sure whether I can apply them to at least the domestic leg of the trip?

I was also nitially hoping to get my husband there on award travel, but will that even be possible? The only seats that turn up are on Ethiopian Airways.

Any input at all or hints about where to look, etc. will be greatly appreciated.