Hi all, I don't fly much on AA but have some credit card miles I'd like to use on a trip to Fiji (several islands), Vanuatu, and Samoa (next Aug-Sep). There is plenty of availability LAX-NAD-LAX on Fiji Airways. But, I'd like to score a ticket for LAX-VLI (Vanuatu), and/or APW (Samoa)-LAX, with the actual Fiji visit in the middle This would save not only the cost of the extra segment but also the hefty ($94) Fiji departure tax. (I'll have 3 of those if I just get a FF ticket to Fiji, as they are priced into the ticket.) Unfortunately there are no award tix to or from VLI, or from APW (except for occasional crazy connections via OZ). I called AA who said Yup, can't do that, but I don't know how hard they tried.

1) Might there be any award availability that you have to use some advanced tricks to see?
2) Might there be a way to avoid departure tax when you are using separate tickets but don't leave the airport? (All flights are on Fiji airways - maybe a question for them)

Thanks for any hints.