I actually am surprised how CHEAP the UA flight is to SYD via USA from LHR. I'd grab that now - these are for a sample Feb date on ebookers.

488 GBP Korean Air Sydney [SYD]
508 GBP Gulf Air Sydney [SYD]
510 GBP Klm Royal Dutch Airlines Sydney [SYD]
530 GBP Olympic Airways Sydney [SYD]
535 GBP Japan Airlines Co Ltd Sydney [SYD]
562 GBP Malaysian Airlines Sydney [SYD]
570 GBP Sri Lankan Airlines Sydney [SYD]
583 GBP United Airlines Sydney [SYD]
583 GBP Singapore Airlines Sydney [SYD]
599 GBP Garuda Indonesia Sydney [SYD]
620 GBP Emirates Airlines Sydney [SYD]
636 GBP Virgin Atlantic Sydney [SYD]
657 GBP Lauda Air Sydney [SYD]
689 GBP Cathay Pacific Airways Sydney [SYD]
700 GBP Qantas Airways Sydney [SYD]
700 GBP British Airways Sydney [SYD]
700 GBP Air New Zealand Sydney [SYD]
764 GBP Swissair Sydney [SYD]
and lots more, a LOT higher.

Remember most if not all the others here are via the "Short" (!!!) route across Asia, hence less flown status miles. The UA flight will also offer you a USA stopover if you want/need that.

As Blondebomber says, two of these and you are an instant Star * Gold on UA, and get then double points on EVERY flight you ever take for 2 years on UA. Using points gets you no such benefit. United transpac in exit row #15 upstairs on a 747 is brilliant, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

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~ Glen ~

[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 01-28-2001).]