Originally Posted by
im-headed-west
On the return, if there's no SFO availability, then LAX Int-Dom is not a big deal, but you do have to have extra transit time to exit Int terminal, catch a bus from Int-Dom, then go through security again. You're survive.
The return flights that I was quoted as having availability was NZ 822 (ADL-AKL), then NZ 6 (AKL-LAX), which gets into LAX at 11:15 am, and then the transcon would be UA 44 (LAX-IAD), which doesn't leave until 10:10 pm. Does that seem usual that I have to wait to take the red-eye back to the east coast? In other words, when coming back from Australia to the east coast, can you usually make it on the same calendar day? Or is it likely just the case that any earlier LAX-IAD flights didn't have award availability? Sorry for all the questions, but the responses from everyone has been incredibly helpful!