Jul 4, 2014, 8:35 pm
Last edit by: Mwenenzi
oneworld nonstop flights between USA and Australia are operated by American Airlines / AA and Qantas / QF. US gateways include DFW, JFK, LAX, SFO. Australia gateways include BNE, MEL, SYD.
Alternatives include using Hawaiian / HA from HNL, Fiji Airways / FJ from Los Angeles / LAX or SFO via NAN or Air Tahiti Nui / TN via PPT. (QF codeshares on Jetstar are no longer bookable as AA awards). You must route direct or South Pacific; awards via Asia, or transatlantic require two awards. Premium Economy services may not be booked with AAdvantage miles yet.
Awards using HA / Hawaiian Airlines require two awards, and one may not use HA between the mainland and Hawaii.
Only MileSAAver Awards are available on AA partners.
The usual award rules regarding Maximum Permitted Miles (MPM) and unconstructed origin-destination routings sold by the prevailing carrier apply.
Qantas releases awards ~355 days out; AA can not book anything beyond 331 days out. Qantas awards are challenging to secure. AA MileSAAver flights seem to be scarce on the LAX-SYD routing, even when aircraft go out with empty seats. AAnytime awards can be used on AA, but dynamic pricing may see those for as much as 225,000 miles one way in First.
Note: there are fees involved in award changes from oneworld airlines to non-oneworld partners or vice versa.
See here for current AA redemption charts.
Threads that can help include:
oneworld and Other Airline (Partner) Awards info, rules 2014 on
MileSAAver / SAAver Award Availability - Assistance & Discussion (consolidated) (you must use MileSAAver awards on partners; AAnytime wards may only be used on AA.)
AA miles awards: using / redeeming AA miles on Qantas (QF) (consolidated)
AAdvantage Miles Awards: TN / Air Tahiti Nui award redemptions
FJ / Fiji Airways (ex-Air Pacific) and AA, awards, etc. (consolidated)
Older posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: AAdvantage miles awards to / from Australia (consolidated)
Edit (post pandemic list at 06 Aug 2022 by Mwenenzi)
Member Mwenenzi posted
Alternatives include using Hawaiian / HA from HNL, Fiji Airways / FJ from Los Angeles / LAX or SFO via NAN or Air Tahiti Nui / TN via PPT. (QF codeshares on Jetstar are no longer bookable as AA awards). You must route direct or South Pacific; awards via Asia, or transatlantic require two awards. Premium Economy services may not be booked with AAdvantage miles yet.
Awards using HA / Hawaiian Airlines require two awards, and one may not use HA between the mainland and Hawaii.
Only MileSAAver Awards are available on AA partners.
The usual award rules regarding Maximum Permitted Miles (MPM) and unconstructed origin-destination routings sold by the prevailing carrier apply.
Qantas releases awards ~355 days out; AA can not book anything beyond 331 days out. Qantas awards are challenging to secure. AA MileSAAver flights seem to be scarce on the LAX-SYD routing, even when aircraft go out with empty seats. AAnytime awards can be used on AA, but dynamic pricing may see those for as much as 225,000 miles one way in First.
Note: there are fees involved in award changes from oneworld airlines to non-oneworld partners or vice versa.
See here for current AA redemption charts.
Threads that can help include:
oneworld and Other Airline (Partner) Awards info, rules 2014 on
MileSAAver / SAAver Award Availability - Assistance & Discussion (consolidated) (you must use MileSAAver awards on partners; AAnytime wards may only be used on AA.)
AA miles awards: using / redeeming AA miles on Qantas (QF) (consolidated)
AAdvantage Miles Awards: TN / Air Tahiti Nui award redemptions
FJ / Fiji Airways (ex-Air Pacific) and AA, awards, etc. (consolidated)
Older posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: AAdvantage miles awards to / from Australia (consolidated)
Edit (post pandemic list at 06 Aug 2022 by Mwenenzi)
Airlines that fly USA/Canada to/from Australia. Following the pandemic, routes are being restabilised and some new routes. Schedules can change. Route restart dates subject to change.
Following the pandemic routes are being restabilised and with some new routes. Schedules can change. Route restart dates subject to change
- Air Canada AC YVR – SYD BNE. [Star Alliance] .
- Air New Zealand NZ LAX SFO IAH YVR via AKL. [Star Alliance]
- Air Tahiti Nui TN LAX – via Tahiti & AKL. Last segments on QF codeshares. (AA & DL partner)
- American Airlines AA LAX-SYD due to restart 29 Oct 2022 [OneWorld Alliance]
- Delta DL LAX – SYD. [Skyteam Alliance]
- Fiji Airways FJ LAX SFO HNL – BNE SYD MEL via NAN Fiji. (OneWorld Alliance connect. QF AA & AS partner)
- Hawaiian HA HNL – SYD. Pre CV19 also used to fly to BNE (AA & VA partner)
- Jetstar JQ HNL – SYD. Pre CV19 also used to fly to/from BNE & MEL.
- Qantas QF SYD - LAX DFW HNL YVR*; BNE - LAX ; MEL- LAX. {* seasonal}. MEL-DFW due to start 02 Dec 2022 (new route). SYD – SFO due to restart 30 Oct 2022. Pre CV19 also had SYD-SFO & SYD-JFK(via LAX). [OneWorld Alliance]
- United UA MEL-SFO, SYD-LAX SFO. BNE-SFO from 31 Oct 2022 (new route). MEL-LAX and SYD-IAH due to restart 30 Oct 2022. [Star Alliance]. (VA partner)
- and others via Asia & Middle East
Following the pandemic routes are being restabilised and with some new routes. Schedules can change. Route restart dates subject to change
- American Airlines AA . DFW-AKL due to start 29 Oct 2022 to 25 Mar 2023(new route) LAX-AKL due to restart unknow. AA was to fly LAX-CHC 3 days a week from Oct 2020. [Oneworld Alliance]
- Air Canada AC YVR – AKL Due to restart 12 Nov 2022 [Star Alliance]
- Air New Zealand NZ LAX SFO IAH YVR – AKL. Pre CV19 also had ORD. [Star Alliance]
- Air Tahiti Nui TN LAX - AKL via Tahiti (AA & DL partner)
- Fiji Airways FJ LAX SFO HNL - AKL via NAN Fiji Pre CV19 used to fly to WLG CHC. (QF AA & AS partner).
- Hawaiian HA HNL – AKL (AA & VA partner)
- Qantas QF LAX SFO DFW JFK HNL YVR* via SYD BNE & MEL. {* seasonal} [Oneworld Alliance])
- United UA SFO – AKL [Star Alliance]
- And others via Australia, Asia & Middle East
Member Mwenenzi posted
Mxflyer Welcome to FT
Many threads on this topic.
USA <---->Australia business class awards are one of the hardest to get. An award in ~6 to 8 weeks time (short notice) even harder. 2 people on the same flight harder again.
Hard but may not be impossible. At times availability can increase close in.
What ffp's are you currently a signed up member of?
If you look only at LAX SYD you are restricting your options a lot, and then some. Look at SFO, IAH & DFW and BNE MEL. BNE can have better availability than other airports. Domestic USA & Australia flights as needed
Via Asia is the other option, but would be 2 awards. BKK, HKG, TPE, SIN, NRT, HND and others. Due to political unrest some HKG flights have low loads
They do not need to fly the same airline/ffp/routes/airports out & back. Look for one ways.
AA ff miles cannot be used to upgrade QF flights. Anyway upgrades, with any airline on the USA Aust routes are hard.
Airlines that fly USA/Canada to/from Australia
Edit
List deleted due to out of date post Covid-19 pandemic (see above)
AA & UA also fly LAX-AKL. Then a 3:30hr flight across to Aust.
Via Fiji or on TN can work
AA forum
Consider these Award booking services - a list and some reviews
Credit card transfer links
Many threads on this topic.
USA <---->Australia business class awards are one of the hardest to get. An award in ~6 to 8 weeks time (short notice) even harder. 2 people on the same flight harder again.
Hard but may not be impossible. At times availability can increase close in.
What ffp's are you currently a signed up member of?
If you look only at LAX SYD you are restricting your options a lot, and then some. Look at SFO, IAH & DFW and BNE MEL. BNE can have better availability than other airports. Domestic USA & Australia flights as needed
Via Asia is the other option, but would be 2 awards. BKK, HKG, TPE, SIN, NRT, HND and others. Due to political unrest some HKG flights have low loads
They do not need to fly the same airline/ffp/routes/airports out & back. Look for one ways.
AA ff miles cannot be used to upgrade QF flights. Anyway upgrades, with any airline on the USA Aust routes are hard.
Airlines that fly USA/Canada to/from Australia
Edit
List deleted due to out of date post Covid-19 pandemic (see above)
AA & UA also fly LAX-AKL. Then a 3:30hr flight across to Aust.
Via Fiji or on TN can work
AA forum
- Australia New Zealand---->AAdvantage award to / from Australia, New Zealand (master thread)
- FJ---->FJ / Fiji Airways (ex-Air Pacific) and AA, miles, awards, etc. (consolidated)
- HA---> Earning and Redeeming AA Miles on HA / Hawaiian Airlines (master thread)
- JL---> AAdvantage Award using JL / JAL / Japan Airlines (master thd)
- QF---> AA miles awards: using / redeeming AA miles on Qantas (QF) & related (consolidated)
- TN ----> AA Miles Award: TN / Air Tahiti Nui award redemptions (master thread)
Consider these Award booking services - a list and some reviews
Credit card transfer links
- Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs forum
- Amex MR Transfer Membership Rewards points to which airline or hotel program?
- Chase UR Ultimate Rewards - Airline and Hotel Transfer Partners, Rules, Timeline, etc (2017)
- Chase UR Ultimate Rewards - Which airline/hotel should I transfer points to?
- Citi TYP Citi ThankYou Points (TYPs): airline transfer partners
AA MileSAAver award to / from Australia, New Zealand (master thread)
Oct 24, 2013, 11:40 am
#61
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
Hi all,
I'm a long time lurker but this is my first post so please be gentle :-).
I plan on booking 3 OW award tickets for Jan 2015. I know this is a *long* way out, and I know AA won't have these open up until late Feb but thought I'd plan ahead.....
Bearing in mind Jan is peak season in Oz, my strategy is to basically try and book something as soon as something comes up. We're flexible with dates - just want something around the first two (possibly three) weeks of Jan. I'm not sure how quickly LAX-SYD (QF12/108) availability dries up in Jan given AA is 25 days later than QF; anyone had experience in this?
Assuming I can get something, the other issue is that, from what I've seen, you never get a direct ORD-LAX leg on saver aware. It always goes via some small airport... which is pretty annoying!
Say I book with a non-direct to LAX; if availability comes up later for a direct ORD-LAX (on the same day), can I rebook without $150 change fee? I'm not 100% clear on the change rules.
It seems like using AA miles on QF awards is great! Low mileage, no fuel surcharge.
Many thanks for the advice!
Flee_man
I'm a long time lurker but this is my first post so please be gentle :-).
I plan on booking 3 OW award tickets for Jan 2015. I know this is a *long* way out, and I know AA won't have these open up until late Feb but thought I'd plan ahead.....
Bearing in mind Jan is peak season in Oz, my strategy is to basically try and book something as soon as something comes up. We're flexible with dates - just want something around the first two (possibly three) weeks of Jan. I'm not sure how quickly LAX-SYD (QF12/108) availability dries up in Jan given AA is 25 days later than QF; anyone had experience in this?
Assuming I can get something, the other issue is that, from what I've seen, you never get a direct ORD-LAX leg on saver aware. It always goes via some small airport... which is pretty annoying!
Say I book with a non-direct to LAX; if availability comes up later for a direct ORD-LAX (on the same day), can I rebook without $150 change fee? I'm not 100% clear on the change rules.
It seems like using AA miles on QF awards is great! Low mileage, no fuel surcharge.
Many thanks for the advice!
Flee_man
You may have better luck in Y - I haven't searched for those in the past (too far to fly in Y for me).
Oct 24, 2013, 11:41 am
#62
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: American AAdvantage
Posts: 1,046
Bearing in mind Jan is peak season in Oz, my strategy is to basically try and book something as soon as something comes up. We're flexible with dates - just want something around the first two (possibly three) weeks of Jan. I'm not sure how quickly LAX-SYD (QF12/108) availability dries up in Jan given AA is 25 days later than QF; anyone had experience in this?
Oct 24, 2013, 11:52 am
#63
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 451
Hi all,
I'm a long time lurker but this is my first post so please be gentle :-).
I plan on booking 3 OW award tickets for Jan 2015. I know this is a *long* way out, and I know AA won't have these open up until late Feb but thought I'd plan ahead.....
Bearing in mind Jan is peak season in Oz, my strategy is to basically try and book something as soon as something comes up. We're flexible with dates - just want something around the first two (possibly three) weeks of Jan. I'm not sure how quickly LAX-SYD (QF12/108) availability dries up in Jan given AA is 25 days later than QF; anyone had experience in this?
Assuming I can get something, the other issue is that, from what I've seen, you never get a direct ORD-LAX leg on saver aware. It always goes via some small airport... which is pretty annoying!
Say I book with a non-direct to LAX; if availability comes up later for a direct ORD-LAX (on the same day), can I rebook without $150 change fee? I'm not 100% clear on the change rules.
It seems like using AA miles on QF awards is great! Low mileage, no fuel surcharge.
Many thanks for the advice!
Flee_man
I'm a long time lurker but this is my first post so please be gentle :-).
I plan on booking 3 OW award tickets for Jan 2015. I know this is a *long* way out, and I know AA won't have these open up until late Feb but thought I'd plan ahead.....
Bearing in mind Jan is peak season in Oz, my strategy is to basically try and book something as soon as something comes up. We're flexible with dates - just want something around the first two (possibly three) weeks of Jan. I'm not sure how quickly LAX-SYD (QF12/108) availability dries up in Jan given AA is 25 days later than QF; anyone had experience in this?
Assuming I can get something, the other issue is that, from what I've seen, you never get a direct ORD-LAX leg on saver aware. It always goes via some small airport... which is pretty annoying!
Say I book with a non-direct to LAX; if availability comes up later for a direct ORD-LAX (on the same day), can I rebook without $150 change fee? I'm not 100% clear on the change rules.
It seems like using AA miles on QF awards is great! Low mileage, no fuel surcharge.
Many thanks for the advice!
Flee_man
Last edited by JCary; Oct 24, 2013 at 11:53 am Reason: crrection
Oct 24, 2013, 12:04 pm
#64
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 9
Are you looking for a seat in First, Business, Premium Economy or Economy? When I was looking at seats for my upcoming trip once the flights were in AA's system, I didn't see anything but Premium Economy and Economy. It wasn't until a couple months later did I find First and Business seats which is when I booked my flight.
For that particular leg, I'll probably book in economy early on and then keep checking for J (or even F) and change if it comes up (I think upgrading doesn't incur a change fee).
Oct 24, 2013, 12:06 pm
#65
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 9
Oct 24, 2013, 1:16 pm
#66
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MCO/FLL
Programs: AA-gold(MM); Marriott-Lifetime Titanium Elite; Hilton-Gold;
Posts: 503
A previous poster thought Jan 2015 was far out. We just booked a cruise Mar 31, 2015 out of Sydney. I have a few questions as I did some bogus dummy award bookings for March 2014.
My interest are two business seats MIA - HNL via LAX (stopover a few days). HNL to ADL via Sydney. (a few nights in Adelaide with a side 2 nighter in Kangaroo Island). Looks to be no problem getting business seats via Hawaiian airlines. Interesting enough the flight showed no more miles required all the way to Adelaide, although it arrives SYD at 7:20 pm and the flight to ADL doesn't leave until 7 the next morning. Which in a way is good, hopefully if we grab a Marriott or Hilton, they will let me store my extra suitcase there for a few days until our return to Sydney.
I will purchase a r/t ticket from Adelaide to KI. Does anyone know if there are flights from KI back to Sydney as we must do Sydney for a few days as well.
On my return back to the states in mid April. In doing the dummy bookings neither AA nor UA was showing any type of business awards at all and no savers. Hopefully if I'm right on top of the dates, since so far out, something will be there that isn't there for 2014. But then again, I have no idea how I should route. But I'm sure we'll be anxious to get home by then, so no stopovers are planned although Vancouver would be a nice stop in April.
Thoughts?
My interest are two business seats MIA - HNL via LAX (stopover a few days). HNL to ADL via Sydney. (a few nights in Adelaide with a side 2 nighter in Kangaroo Island). Looks to be no problem getting business seats via Hawaiian airlines. Interesting enough the flight showed no more miles required all the way to Adelaide, although it arrives SYD at 7:20 pm and the flight to ADL doesn't leave until 7 the next morning. Which in a way is good, hopefully if we grab a Marriott or Hilton, they will let me store my extra suitcase there for a few days until our return to Sydney.
I will purchase a r/t ticket from Adelaide to KI. Does anyone know if there are flights from KI back to Sydney as we must do Sydney for a few days as well.
On my return back to the states in mid April. In doing the dummy bookings neither AA nor UA was showing any type of business awards at all and no savers. Hopefully if I'm right on top of the dates, since so far out, something will be there that isn't there for 2014. But then again, I have no idea how I should route. But I'm sure we'll be anxious to get home by then, so no stopovers are planned although Vancouver would be a nice stop in April.
Thoughts?
Oct 24, 2013, 2:01 pm
#67
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Hunter Valley, Australia
Programs: Qantas, American Airlines, Hyatt, Accor
Posts: 41
You can also try FJ awards via NAN amd maybe even TN via PPT. There are lots of ways to Oz if you don't mind a short stopover. Also look for flights to SYD via MEL and BNE.
Oct 24, 2013, 2:13 pm
#68
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
You will not be able to stop over in LAX on a MIA-HNL and onward award; you will have to choose HNL as it is your final stop in North America. Honestly, to maximise my time in "Godzone" I'd forget Honolulu as an add on anyway.
You will be limited to 331 days out due to the limitations of the AA system.
I'd probably find better availability on something via BNE to ADL (at least I have in the past) or even MEL, and I'd probably choose LAX rather than HNL due to more flights and operated by Qantas.
From Adelaide you can take a smaller aircraft 30 minutes to / from K.I. (Kingscote) or even the ferry from Cape Jervis (hint: no luggage limitations).
K.I. has stricter ag regulations than mainland Australia - see here.
You will be limited to 331 days out due to the limitations of the AA system.
I'd probably find better availability on something via BNE to ADL (at least I have in the past) or even MEL, and I'd probably choose LAX rather than HNL due to more flights and operated by Qantas.
From Adelaide you can take a smaller aircraft 30 minutes to / from K.I. (Kingscote) or even the ferry from Cape Jervis (hint: no luggage limitations).
K.I. has stricter ag regulations than mainland Australia - see here.
A previous poster thought Jan 2015 was far out. We just booked a cruise Mar 31, 2015 out of Sydney. I have a few questions as I did some bogus dummy award bookings for March 2014.
My interest are two business seats MIA - HNL via LAX (stopover a few days). HNL to ADL via Sydney. (a few nights in Adelaide with a side 2 nighter in Kangaroo Island). Looks to be no problem getting business seats via Hawaiian airlines. Interesting enough the flight showed no more miles required all the way to Adelaide, although it arrives SYD at 7:20 pm and the flight to ADL doesn't leave until 7 the next morning. Which in a way is good, hopefully if we grab a Marriott or Hilton, they will let me store my extra suitcase there for a few days until our return to Sydney.
I will purchase a r/t ticket from Adelaide to KI. Does anyone know if there are flights from KI back to Sydney as we must do Sydney for a few days as well.
On my return back to the states in mid April. In doing the dummy bookings neither AA nor UA was showing any type of business awards at all and no savers. Hopefully if I'm right on top of the dates, since so far out, something will be there that isn't there for 2014. But then again, I have no idea how I should route. But I'm sure we'll be anxious to get home by then, so no stopovers are planned although Vancouver would be a nice stop in April.
Thoughts?
My interest are two business seats MIA - HNL via LAX (stopover a few days). HNL to ADL via Sydney. (a few nights in Adelaide with a side 2 nighter in Kangaroo Island). Looks to be no problem getting business seats via Hawaiian airlines. Interesting enough the flight showed no more miles required all the way to Adelaide, although it arrives SYD at 7:20 pm and the flight to ADL doesn't leave until 7 the next morning. Which in a way is good, hopefully if we grab a Marriott or Hilton, they will let me store my extra suitcase there for a few days until our return to Sydney.
I will purchase a r/t ticket from Adelaide to KI. Does anyone know if there are flights from KI back to Sydney as we must do Sydney for a few days as well.
On my return back to the states in mid April. In doing the dummy bookings neither AA nor UA was showing any type of business awards at all and no savers. Hopefully if I'm right on top of the dates, since so far out, something will be there that isn't there for 2014. But then again, I have no idea how I should route. But I'm sure we'll be anxious to get home by then, so no stopovers are planned although Vancouver would be a nice stop in April.
Thoughts?
Oct 24, 2013, 2:23 pm
#69
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 451
If you book 11 months in advance, you should not have any trouble finding non stop flight from ORD to DFW or to LAX.
Oct 24, 2013, 4:00 pm
#70
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 9
Unfortunately, that's not the case at all from what I have seen (i'm talking economy here). Try doing ORD-LAX as an example, for say Sep 2014 (11 months out). The vast majority of MileSAAver awards are non direct. There's of course a ton of business MileSAAver awards, but then there are no LAX-SYD J class for 3 passengers.
Oct 26, 2013, 6:28 pm
#71
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MCO/FLL
Programs: AA-gold(MM); Marriott-Lifetime Titanium Elite; Hilton-Gold;
Posts: 503
You will not be able to stop over in LAX on a MIA-HNL and onward award; you will have to choose HNL as it is your final stop in North America. Honestly, to maximise my time in "Godzone" I'd forget Honolulu as an add on anyway.
You will be limited to 331 days out due to the limitations of the AA system.
I'd probably find better availability on something via BNE to ADL (at least I have in the past) or even MEL, and I'd probably choose LAX rather than HNL due to more flights and operated by Qantas.
From Adelaide you can take a smaller aircraft 30 minutes to / from K.I. (Kingscote) or even the ferry from Cape Jervis (hint: no luggage limitations).
K.I. has stricter ag regulations than mainland Australia - see here.
You will be limited to 331 days out due to the limitations of the AA system.
I'd probably find better availability on something via BNE to ADL (at least I have in the past) or even MEL, and I'd probably choose LAX rather than HNL due to more flights and operated by Qantas.
From Adelaide you can take a smaller aircraft 30 minutes to / from K.I. (Kingscote) or even the ferry from Cape Jervis (hint: no luggage limitations).
K.I. has stricter ag regulations than mainland Australia - see here.
Oct 26, 2013, 8:18 pm
#72
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
I think you misunderstood. I am definitely making HNL my stopover as my daughter has never been and wants to see it and lets face it, it won't cost any extra miles. The MIA- LAX - HNL. The stop in LAX is just a long layover. I also like the idea of the layover in SYD before onward to ADL, as I want to leave a piece of luggage with the hotel. The dummy booking looks as if the flight arrives in SYD, but the connection isn't until the next morning. I hope they will let me collect my luggage in SYD.
Oct 27, 2013, 11:11 pm
#73
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NY
Programs: AA PLT, Delta SkyMiles
Posts: 569
I think you misunderstood. I am definitely making HNL my stopover as my daughter has never been and wants to see it and lets face it, it won't cost any extra miles. The MIA- LAX - HNL. The stop in LAX is just a long layover. I also like the idea of the layover in SYD before onward to ADL, as I want to leave a piece of luggage with the hotel. The dummy booking looks as if the flight arrives in SYD, but the connection isn't until the next morning. I hope they will let me collect my luggage in SYD.
Dec 28, 2013, 3:07 pm
#74
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: San Jose, CA USA
Programs: AA EXPLT DL PLT
Posts: 10
So using AA Award engine to book trips to AUS/NZ, Book the outbound and return as separate trips? Looks like it's easy enough to do on 330, but since the wife and I are planning 3+ weeks there, getting J on the return isn't a problem, getting J (or better HA!) on the outbound is a PITA.
Here's the most likely itinerary
SJC/SFO-LAX-CHC(via MEL/BNE) then 2.5 weeks in NZ
AKL-SYD (3 day stop)
SYD (or MEL/BNE)-LAX-SJC/SFO
Maybe an explorer is the way to go?
I have both an Expert Flyer account & a Qantas FF account, the latter being a big tease because you can see 353 days out vs. 330 and the ExPlat desk is of almost no help. Grrr.
Here's the most likely itinerary
SJC/SFO-LAX-CHC(via MEL/BNE) then 2.5 weeks in NZ
AKL-SYD (3 day stop)
SYD (or MEL/BNE)-LAX-SJC/SFO
Maybe an explorer is the way to go?
I have both an Expert Flyer account & a Qantas FF account, the latter being a big tease because you can see 353 days out vs. 330 and the ExPlat desk is of almost no help. Grrr.
Dec 28, 2013, 3:26 pm
#75
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,861
What's your question? All AAdvantage awards are one way now, except for Explorer awards. SFO -> New Zealand -> SYD -> SFO would require 3 awards. Award inventory for both regular awards and Explorer awards is exactly the same.