So a *ONE* ticket does not allow use of QF codeshare flights operated by TA. However, LA does fly to PPT via IPC. So, on an eastward *ONE* ticket, if you can just get to PPT from someplace like SYD or AKL then you can pick back up on your *ONE* ticket and continue on to South America on LA.

Any ideas on the best and cheapest way to reach PPT from either SYD or AKL?

On a second note: both LA and QF fly either AKL or SYD to SCL. Is it possible that you could fly AKL/SYD - SCL, then head to PPT via IPC? I realize this would be an incredible amount of flying... but, is it backtracking? You're leaving the SWP for South America, then heading back to the SWP. Would it not be backtracking if you stay in SCL for less than 24 hours, then visit PPT first, before an actual stop at IPC? So you're physically backtracked in terms of flight paths, but in terms of "stopovers" you continue in one direction: AKL/SYD, PPT, IPC, SCL even though your flight segments went AKL/SYD, SCL, PPT, IPC.

Thanks.