Hi ...

Sounds like I should book a single to Sydney from London & a single from Auckland to London. Pay WT+ & use BA Miles to upgrade. This should be 25000 per sector, so 50000 return. So for 2 of us I will need 100000 BA Miles (which I now have). The flight between Australia & New Zealand will need to be booked via someone like Virgin Blue or Air New Zealand. This might be better as it saves me having to fly into Auckland - I could try Queenstown instead.

I am not going until September/October 2007 - not 2006. I realise that I will need to book as soon as I can - I think the maximum is 353 days in advance (via telephone - understand will have to pay £15 per ticket, but this will be worth it)

What are the chances of getting the upgrade if I book the 353 days in advance?

Also what are Business Class fares like on other airlines in September - is it better for me to use another airline & save my BA miles for something else?

Why is it a bad use of BA Miles for flights to Australia?

Thanks Mark