Originally Posted by
docbert
By August their partnership with Virgin Australia should be up and running. Only time will tell what the award options are like on those flights, but at least it might give you some options to get MEL-SYD-SFO as an award... Based on my previous experience UA will open seats for you on SYD-SFO, but anything that's not their metal (eg, MEL-AKL or routes via Asia) would depend on pre-existing availability.
There are two options available on the following day (MEL-EWR J Awards), but they both involve long (8+ hours) transfers in BKK and NRT, something I wouldn't consider even without the concern of international borders being closed. (I would consider it with one longer and one shorter connection).