FT, hope you all can offer some advice on my first attempted MR.

I need to stay on the Star Alliance, preferrably UA metal but not totally necessary. NZ will likely be a must for some legs. Flying coach! yes!!

Start- LAX, approx Dec 7-8
End- MEL, arrive by Dec 14th

I would like to stop in AKL for about a day, and ADL for a couple days at least.

The time isn't extremely flexible, I need to be in MEL from Dec 14-17th, and would prefer to be back in LA by the 19th.

Any advice as to good airports to price a stopover?

I figure I'd rather get to New Zealand/Australia area right from LAX to avoid a bad deal if I miss an international connection. Maybe the hop around Australia and New Zealand a bit before I get to Auckland.

Then on my way back, hop around the west coast a bit before landing in LA.

Thanks for any help or advice!

Charlie