Originally Posted by
tmm1012
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!
Availability may be an issue in your case. Did a random search on Oct UA LAX-IAD and looks like there's a 12:45 PM and 4:15 PM non-stop as well as ~2PM connecting flights through atleast ORD.
You'll NOT be allow to book the 12:45 because the Int connection time min is not met; however, the 4:15 is possible but may not be available.
Basically the drill here will be:
- book what's available
- check for availability and update award when/if 4:15PM opens up before departure
- when returning from ADL, you may want to waitlist for an earlier transcon if still not cleared