I have no status with AA this year, UA flyer mostly.

I have about 118k miles with AA that expire next year. I was wondering if someone could help me find availability to SYD Oneway (probably will use UA miles on way back). I can get positioned pretty easily in USA or EU, but would like to have a lay flat seat (so that throws Hawaiian out). I have tried BA and AA sites to no avail.

I cannot for the heck of it find any Cathay, AA, Quantas availability. I see some Ethiad, but that does require me to go the wrong way around the world (though ok in their nice planes).

I am pretty flexible on dates at this point, just need to use it! Aiming for June because winter there may make it easier to find awards? Maybe I am missing something?

QF doesnt release much much premium cabin space. If you book close to 330 days in advance you should be able to at least find some J space if you booki far enough out

Cathay requires 2 awards and you need to call in to book. Best bet for that is to sign up for a free Avios account and look up flights one segment at a time USA - HKG and HKG-SYD

Ethiad would also be 2 awards as well I believe unless you just depart AUH

Restricting your search to SYD reduces the options. Also look at BNE-MEL-ADL. All are a short flight from SYD

Airlines that fly USA/Canada to Australia (most from LAX) are
- United [Star Alliance] (LAX SFO � SYD MEL)
- Qantas [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner) (LAX JFK DFW HNL � SYD BNE MEL)
- Jetstar (HNL � SYD BNE)
- Delta [Skyteam Alliance] (VA & AS partner) (LAX � SYD)
- Virgin Australia (DL partner) (LAX � SYD BNE)
- Hawaiian, via Hawaii (AA & VA partner) (HNL � SYD)
- Air NZ, via AKL [Star Alliance]
- Fiji Airways, via Fiji (AA & AS partner)
- Air Tahiti Nui (last segments on codeshares) (AA & DL partner)
- Air Canada [Star Alliance]
And others via Asia & Middle East

Also remember to look for the return using AA miles too as you an probably also use your UA miles for the outbound sector giving you more possible options.

I really appreciate the help, that is a lot of information I did not know about booking cathay and quantas! I will look around - I have been searching via Avios but seems like I have to do it day by day - rather than calendar search.

Also, you might want to investigate ways to keep your points alive, perhaps by buying something from their online mall. That might extend you out enough so that you don't have to panic about your points expiring.

Hrm I will look into that. I mean I can use it on something, but would love to try Cathay/Quantas/qatar since I hear great things about them. Just don't know if it is because I have no status that I get less availability. I just use AA/UA to get to A-B, being more UA due to hub.

Will just search 330days and hopefully something pops up.

I find it easier to search on Qantas for availability as they have a month at a glance calendar and you can filter by class of service.

There's no such thing as Quantas. Sorry just had to put that out there..Qantas : Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Services