Amazing place, FT!

I'm currently booked BNE-SYD-LAX-LAS return - published D class fare A$7999.

Changing this to a DCIR22 (A$6,759), Any suggestions on LAS-BNE (via Asia)? I'm ready to travel from LAS after 13:00 on 19 May (currently booked QF3126/AA1913)...

Best I've been able to do so far:
bne-syd, syd-lax, lax-las, las-dfw, dfw-yvr, yvr-hkg, hkg-bne = 21,698
http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gc?PATH=b...avy&MAP-STYLE=
Going las-lax, then lax-dfw puts you 77 miles or so over.

Edited to add:
Okay, if you want to maximize mileage I've been able to improve on it slightly:
bne-syd, syd-lax, lax-las, las-dfw, dfw-yvr, yvr-hkg, hkg-bne, bne-ool, ool-bne = 21,815
Rules provide you can transit your point of origin once provided you don't stop over, so going down to gold coast on the way back is ok.
http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gc?PATH=b...avy&MAP-STYLE=
jerry

Thanks, jerry!

I'll give BNE-OOL-BNE a miss, even though it's worth 40 SCs - Mrs willyroo would kill me... :)

21,943 miles, and good connections (except a day in HKG):

bne-syd, syd-lax, lax-las, las-dfw, dfw-sfo, sfo-hkg, hkg-bne

Willyroo, your choices across the nborth Pacific are AA into NRT (from several US ports including LAX, SJC, ORD) or CX YVR-HKG. For me, its CX or CX for that sector.

I suggest starting with BNE-LAX (not via SYD) and then returning HKG-SYD-BNE since HKG-SYD should be consistent with Skybeds now.

You should easily fit a flexible routing to/from LAS, esprically if not trying to absolutely max miles and SC's, but just taking the savings for a few extra SC's (and Skybed out of HKG). In my case, ORD and DFW are the two places I will need to visit, and that takes it very close to the miles limit so can't return HKG-SYD-BNE but must make it HKG-BNE direct, but then have a choice of CX or QF, with QF winning due to the way our corp discount works (cheaper for more QF metal) and the status bonus for QF flights.

CX or CX :)
 

I do need BNE-SYD-LAX, as I actually have some work to do with a colleague. OK then, we will have a couple of mis-en-caves too... :)

Even better! Good routing, I often forget about sfo-hkg on CX. I'm more inclined to take the YVR flight or the JFK flight once it starts.

Dont forget HKG-CX-CNS-QF-BNE. It's not a daily flight into CNS, but almost the same mileage.

A good reason to catch up with Dr D, Mrs Dr D and Dr D Junior :) . The train into Hong Kong is not too expensive and you can leave your carry-on stuff at the airport for a reasonable fee. just note that they charge per item, so get it all into one large bag rather than several small ones. It was cheaper for us to purchase a large soft bag at the airport and stuff three kids backpacks plus a few other things into it and just leave a single piece there for the day.

Ticketed today:

BNE-SYD-LAX-LAS-DFW-SFO-HKG-BNE

Sorry og, both CX103 and QF98 are direct, so no CNS stop... :)

I get to try CX in J !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks again guys for your thoughts and help and inspiration.

willyroo, CX web site advises for (sample) week of 3 July 2004:
CX103 HKG 23:20 CNS 08:25+1 We Sa 330 0
Now, you may well be flying in a period when the HKG-CNS is not offered. I also assume the 330 does not have NBC seats.

[false info removed]
You are correct that the A330 has regional business class, not long-haul.

Guys - CX103 is sometimes direct to BNE, sometimes stops in CNS.

21 May 2004:

Cathay Pacific
CX 103 Hong Kong Int'l (HKG), Hong Kong, Hongkong 23:20
Brisbane Airport (BNE), Brisbane, QL, Australia 09:55 + 1 day(s)
Non-stop
330 8h35min N/A Yes Yes

Qantas Airways
QF 098 Hong Kong Int'l (HKG), Hong Kong, Hongkong 23:25
Brisbane Airport (BNE), Brisbane, QL, Australia 10:00 + 1 day(s)
Non-stop
763 8h35min N/A Yes Yes

QF98 please - I like the Dreamtimes, and the status bonus...

I now face the same dilema. I have a work meeting to attend in ORD in late June, possibly preceeded by or followed by a meeting in PEK. Work allows J travel between Aus and the US so do I try and get a Circle fare (with a HKG-PEK shuttle) or go for the DONE4 and head to the UK to catch up with friends and family? Rhetorical question - I know the answer :D

Anyone know the price differential, ex-SYD, between the Circle fare and a DONE4 from an aggresively priced agent?

The prices are what they are. Australian pricing on CIRPAC in D is $6759, $8249 and $9689 for routings <22K, <26K and <29K miles respectively, and a DONE4 is $9169.

All of which are cheaper than the full J fare from Australia to ORD. But be cafreful ... the taxes on a 20 segment DONE4 can come back to bite you, especially if including stopovers in places like LHR.