Meaning R/T from AKL-PPT-AKL and then continuing on to JFK from AKL? That could work.... but it doesn't appear to save too many miles, unless you're suggesting a PPT-JFK on the award itin, which we've established is impossible.

This is tough... but that's not a bad idea. There are other spots where a local LCC could help too, like BKK - Siem Reap r/t and then onwards. Too.... many... options....

I think I'll have to really mess with this for awhile (the OW map is rough since it shows codeshares, etc) and then ask for help here with a much more specific itin mapped out.

Without putting words in hauteboy's mouth, I thought he meant once you get to AKL, you do an open jaw to PPT and the continue with your OW award to get to JFK. A possible routing for the last bit could be PPT-SCL-JFK all on LA.

Not sure when you think that you will have the miles but am guessing that it is going to be around the 330 day mark for December '07 or thereabouts.

Since it will then be January 07 I'd wait for February to see what the impact of JL will be for award availability as it seems there will be a good possiblity that they will then be allowed on a one-world award.

Also am not sure when RJ and MA will come online to oneworld but that sure opens up a lot possiblities for your "great euro capital" and "historic middle eastern tinged city" connections and on to Asia.

But agree with others that the main problem will be the hard to get routes and Austrailia to North America ranks high on the list without even thinking of the South Pacific. BTW I though the beaches in Australia were quite good from December to February and you might want to consider a flight to a beach resort within Australia.

Aha, I see it now. That's actually an excellent idea, and a few days in SCL could be lovely (drive over the andes to Mendoza, drink wine... mmm... can visualize it already). Not to post it 4 times in this thread, but thanks to everyone for such creative suggestions... it's so helpful to have the expertise. I've heard good things about LA biz class as well, that would be fun to try, and a super extra bonus would be getting back to a closer time zone for a few days before returning to the real world. Nice!

There's no direct PPT > SCL service though, correct? It's a one-hop via Easter Island it looks like. That could also be an interesting stopover.. Edit - I'm wrong yet again. That OW map is a bit buggy still. Looks like there's a direct flight. Thanks for the tip.

It is a direct flight (one flight number), but it stops at IPC both ways.

Stopping in either IPC or SCL for more than 24 hours is likely to bump up the required number of miles. IIRC, IPC has/ used to have service to/from SCL 6 days a week and there were some successive day combinations when you can get in to IPC from PPT on one day and exit IPC to SCL the next day with under 24 hour between connections. This could give you a day in IPC without you incurring additional mileage, but I am not sure how/whether this will run afoul of the first flight out rule.

Be sure to avoid the northern Australia beaches that are infested with marine stingers, e.g., box jellyfish, at this time of year.

I agree it is hard to get an award from australia to the USA if trying to use QF.However an AA award from NRT is not that hard and you can get to NRT via HKG using CX from Australia.Later in 2007 you will also have JAL.
We have just completed an AA oneworld award from BNE to seattle and returning via Japan.We got 2 J class awards without too much trouble.We booked in January for travel to the USA in August and the return in september.
We basically got what we wanted.We had to fly BNE-SYD-HKG-NRT-LAX rather than the direct BNE-LAX on QF so had to go 1 day earlier than planned.We had to spend an extra 4 days in japan at the end to get 2 QF seats and again NRT-SYD-BNE.
It would be difficult getting awards in december,january from australia as it is our summer holidays but february and march are very quiet travel wise.
If you want the beach resort then I agree do this in australia.If you are here in december to march period then the far north queensland resorts are extremely hot and it is cyclone season so choose a resort further south and then you dont have to worry about stingers anyway.Lady Elliott Island which is the southernmost end of the Barrier Reef is free from stingers.At that time of the year the turtles are nesting until february and from february to april will be hatching.