Originally Posted by
Fliar
Wow, thanks for these fantastic replies mwenenzi and guv1976!
Reward flights can be from anywhere to anywhere, doesn't need to be ex AKL so that might make redemptions a bit easier.
I did not realise AA was an EY partner and if they do not have an AA-metal requirement that might be a decent option. Are there any sign up bonuses that you're aware of? I do have access to a US residential address (if being a US 'resident' makes a difference).
The Citi AAdvantage Platinum card ($95 annual fee, waived the first year) currently has a 75,000-mile sign-up bonus with $3,500 in spend:
Bonus miles do
not earn Loyalty Points, which are what are needed to attain status. But every $1 USD charged to the card earns one Loyalty Point, and at least one redeemable mile. (There are a few bonus categories which earn more redeemable miles.) The card has no foreign-transaction fee. This offer is rumored to be ending mid-April.