Why hasn't anyone suggested UA for the more direct route and *A benefits?? If miles aren't an issue, and you're in Philly like your profile says, you might just shuttle(DL or drive) up to JFK and take Qantas JFK-LAX-SYD on the same plane to avoid the connection issues. They run this route a few times a week.
But if you can afford it, fly UA in E+ and if US announces a *A upgrade benefit, then you can attempt to upgrade to biz.
Keep in mind, it will still take a long period of time before US rolls out STAR upgrades, and you will most likely have to purchase a Y or B fare- I cannot remind and stress that enough. And of course on coach awards you will not be able to upgrade anyway. And unless you are Elite with UA, you will not have access to E+ as a non UA *G, and given that UA has 31" in Y- to Australia on a between 14hr-16hr flight I want to barf. Erhmm, give me that barf bag w/ that ad on it, now please!
