There is UA J saver award availability in November and December. I can redeem either. I hadn't planned to travel again but I think this is a relatively rare opportunity.

Been to both countries several times.

Spent more time on the South Island, barely time on the North Island. The places of interest to me sounds like Napier, which I haven't been to, maybe explore more of AKL than I have, which I've mostly used as a transit back across the Pacific, maybe Bay of Islands, maybe Wellington, which I like a lot.

Then I wouldn't mind revisiting Queenstown but weighing whether to get to Nelson, because usually I'd visit Christchurch, Akaora and make my way to Queenstown, then usually fly back to AKL and then back to US.

Other alternative, fly to MEL, return from SYD. I haven't checked to see if there is aware availability to/from BNE. Not as plentiful as SYD or MEL I'm sure.

I went to Oz last November, also on award. Brisbane and Noosa were great, also spent a couple of days on the Gold Coast. Not a surfer but it was nice, great coastal walks. I'd go again to fly my drone but also I'm sure I could look at some other destinations in QLD. Melbourne weather was drab unfortunately at the end of November last year. Otherwise, would have rented a car and driven to Mornington, which I've not seen. Or possibly drive the GOR again.


Tough choices, like coastal walks (not serious hikes requiring climbing thousands of feet), take photos.

Impossible question to answer, Oz or NZ, but are there any particular considerations for this Nov/Dec for either country? Like strikes or fires or some such?


Actually the available dates for NZ are preferable for me, late Nov to mid December, while Oz availability is mid Nov to late Nov, again about 13-15 full days on the ground for either.

My concern is whether Victoria and Melbourne have the greatest weather in mid November. I don't care about swimming weather nor it being hot. Just want sun above all.

I suppose North Island in early December might not be as sunny or warm either.