I know there have been some threads about this before regarding getting to Sydney on NW and partner airlines and logistics, but I don't recall discussions of availability, upgrades, earning elite miles and ticket price.

I called the NW elite line to check on a trip over on 1 Sept returning on 10 Sept. They were able to map out a itinerary east bound through AMS and KUL using NW, KLM, and Air Malaysia


1. There are NO coach seats available on the dates that I need to fly.
2. A business class seat is $7520, and there is one available for the trip back.
3. Miles towards elite status on NW are NOT earned on Air Malaysia.
4. Even if there WERE seats available, NW miles cannot be used to upgrade on Air Malaysia.
4. An around the world ticket is $3339 coach and $6039 business (three stops > 24 Hours required).
4. Coach seats on UA are $1540 [$9231 Businsess (!!)]
4. A coach seat on NW to LAX and Quantas to SYD would be $1503 coach and $9389 business.

Since I have provisions for reimbursement for an "apex" coach ticket for this trip, and really do not want to fly coach, and ideally would like to get at least some miles for this long trip, it looks like I have three options:

1. Suck it up at take the NW/Quantas flights in coach, enjoy the domestic upgrades and anesthetize myself for the 14 hour LAX-SYD leg of the trip.
2. Find a consolidator that can find an affordable business class ticket and eat the difference (would need something MUCH less than $7529!)- Anyone know one/some to try for this route?

Thanks