Im actually taking a cruise ship from UK to Florida so I only need a oneway USA to UK . I think I will try it and if not I will get just LAX-LHR on NZ with miles and do the AA option on a paid ticket.

Ok I just called and was given an option that I didnt realise existed!!! US Airways MIA-LAX in F class and then NZ LAX-LHR in J class. 18,750 plus £105 + taxes!!! Seems a good deal to me . The US airways flight touches down in Phoenix for an hour but same A/C . I asked about doing MIA-ORD UA and then BD ORD-MAN in the new PE but I was told to call back in July as they are not releasing the seats for redemptions until then . I dont think it would be wise to wait that long.

good result I'd say.

Are you sure it is the same a/c, not just a continuation flight number?

Not that it really makes any difference of course, but useful to know.

Yes, it is the same aircraft : there's no direct (nonstop) *A MIA-LAX flights and this is the only one in the day that doesn't require a change of aircraft at a *A hub.

Needs an early start, departing MIA 07:15, into LAX at 11:50 via PHX.
The NZ flight for LHR leaves late-afternoon.

Surely by that definition is it therefore a direct flight...still a stopping flight, but direct nonetheless...

(I'm feeling quite pedantic today)

Pedantically, you're right. I took my times from the *A online timetable which lists this flight as :

1 Stop - Via PHX US1163/US1163

There's no detail there which confirms this is the same aircraft. Frequently in the USA, connecting flights with the same flight number are different aircraft, and don't necessarily wait for a connection if the first aircraft is late. But in this case the US airways site confirms this is a direct, stopping, service.