Thanks for laying it out like that. I am majorily bummed if I am going to have to use my 3K in credits on actual AA flights lol. I've been saving them and now ready to book. I suppose I could use them on a good J fare to/from SGN as the TYO/SGN portion on JL does have an AA flight number so credits would be allowed.

However, doesnt AKLto SYD have AA flight numbers for the QF flight? I hadnt realized all flights had to be AA numbers so obviously no dice on the Jet Star flight. So this kicks me back I guess to being able to use the trip credits but all the $3200-3500 J fares trip out with Choose a New fare message and kick me to a $5600 ish fare.

Had no ideas about holds only being allowed for AA metal, thx for explaining that.

Its wild to me how AA continues to have phantom inventory or just the wront fare, by thousands of dollars. Really is frustrating.

I'm going to give it one more go on the phone and see if I can find a J fare that actually exists for the 3K range. It seems online if I take an evening flight the day before to SYD then a long connection to the QF 11 the next day it will allow me to buy it at the $3000 ish fare. However I cant add trip credits online at least and with out being to hold it there is nothing I can do.