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.

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

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.