I am interested in planning this trip for 2 passengers later in 2009 or early 2010. Based on today's rules, (big assumption but that's all I can count on at the moment), does anyone see any risk in purchasing one ticket as an AONE5 and booking the other as an AA OW330F award? My worry is that there exist some major but complicated rule differences that could screw us up if there are schedule changes or some other complication down the road.

FRA-SCL
SCL-EZE
EZE-MIA
MIA-JFK
JFK-SYD
SYD-CHC
CHC-SYD
SYD-PER
PER-DPS
DPS-KIX
KIX-PEK
PEK-HKG
HKG-LHR
LHR-MCT
MCT-AMM
AMM-FRA

FRA-SCL-EZE-MIA-JFK-SYD-CHC-SYD-PER-DPS-KIX-PEK-HKG-LHR-MCT-AMM-FRA

Also, anyone see any other way to visit DPS with these awards? Don't really need to go to PER but it seems like the only way. I can't believe there is no OW service between SYD and DPS! Anyway, any suggestions on routing with more 3-class F are welcome too.

You won't be able to fine award seats on several of your chosen routes.

How about SYD-HKG-DPS or SYD-TYO-DPS?

Each will increase your Asian flight segments by one, but since you're only using three at present, that is not an issue

ps Perth is very nice - you should come here anyway

pps the above just pertains to the AONE5; being a mere QFF NB I'm unable to comment on the AA award rules

I know it can be difficult on many routes but I will only need one award seat on each flight since one will be the AONE5. But not impossible right?? Which ones do you foresee as the most problematic? We will be flexible with dates and will be traveling in the shoulder seasons (either spring 2010 or maybe fall 2009).

[QUOTE=malcolmkettering;10118157]
Also, anyone see any other way to visit DPS with these awards? Don't really need to go to PER but it seems like the only way. QUOTE]

PER-DPS will move from QF to JQ from the start of the (Northern) Winter 08
timetable.

What i would do to get a feel for how easy/difficult it is to get an award ticket:
Try to book the routing - just pick dates with a length of stay similar to what you want do do, last flight around 330 days (i think that is the limit you can book). It does not cost anything (except your time), but then you can see how easy/difficult it is.
Everything can change until you book the real thing, but at least it is a starting point.

DPS is only a short flight from either SIN or KUL. Why would you base your itinerary on that? You can easily buy a D or Y return from either of those places. Only a 2 hr flight...

Another way to get to DPS is from NRT. A very interesting detour.

...SYD-NRT-DPS...

Ok, that sounds like a good alternative. I don't know anything about that region so it is good to know there are cheap flights from those other cities. Which would be more interesting, KUL or SIN, for a few days stopover?