Well, I had another long chat with QF rez last night and the rather helpful agent went off to check with various QF and OW hotlines and advisors. Called back later saying that point of origin stopover was definitely not permitted. Asked him for the rule that prohibited it and he could not come up with one. When pressed further he came up with "trip must start and end at the same port". Not sure if that is even a requirement, but as I pointed out to him, that wording does not actually prohibit a stopover there nor does it imply that the itinerary must end if you pass through that port. In fact my plan is to start and end the itinerary in MEL, just with a stopover there en route...

He said he would make further enquiries and that he or someone else would call me back again last night or today with an update. Still waiting...

On the advice of Mwenenzi, I had earlier PMd Dave Noble (local FT AA guru) to ask about advice for booking a DONE4 itinerary via AA. Dave sent a prompt and helpful reply, after which I called the AA ATW desk in DFW. The helpful agent there then efficiently constructed an itinerary, which almost duplicates the flights I have reserved via QF. Importantly, he was able to reserve seats for me AKL-SCL-GRU and GRU-MAD, which were the sectors I was most concerned with.

He had absolutely no problem with my stopover in MEL, nor adding three Oz domestic sectors six months later. That itinerary is now off with the AA Dublin "tax" office, and they should apparently have it priced up within 24 hrs. ^

According to Dave, I will also save considerable $ by avoiding QFs high fuel fines, so I will be interested to see what figure they come up with.

The AA agent also told me that this itinerary currently looks like it can be eticketed, which QF was certainly not planning to do.

An additional bonus is that apparently I do not have to pay for this fare until just before departure in early OCT, wheras QF were asking for payment in the next week or so.

Unfortunately this does not solve the original QF-related problem, but it does at least provide a useful work-around...

Thanks in particular to Mwenenzi and Dave Noble for their prompt and helpful advice.

tb