I'm looking to book two first class award tickets from AUS-AKL (using CO miles) for December 2011 returning January 2012. The window hasn't opened yet for the return, but here's what I've found for getting us there (based on helpful advice from KVS and this forum ^). I'd appreciate any advice on (1) simplifying the route while still holding onto the first class segments and (2) getting rid of some of the stopovers.

One other question is am I allowed to call and reserve the outbound trip even though I can't yet reserve the return half? I just don't want to lose out on any segment due to the wait.

Thanks to all for the advice!

12/28
AUS-LAX UA6721 6:33-7:55 first
LAX-ICN OZ201 11:50-18:10(+1) first

*insert stopover for the night in ICN*

12/30
ICN-BJS CA138 9:30-10:40 business
BJS-BKK TG615 17:05-21:15 first

*insert stop for the night in BKK*

12/31
BKK-SYD TG471 7:45-21:05 first

*insert stopover for the night in SYD � Happy New Year!*

1/1
SYD-AKL NZ118 14:15-19:15 business

I don�t think you�ll be able to book that itinerary as you have 6 segments on the outbound flight.

Have you considered a routing via NRT?

e.g. SEA/ORD/LAX/SFO/IAD/JFK-NRT(UA/NH)-BKK-SYD(TG)

IME ORD/SEA-NRT generally has decent availability in F.

Alternatively, you could try routing via KIX/PVG/PEK/HKG.

Crap... I hadn't thought about the 6 segments being a problem. NRT seems to be out for the dates I need. I originally wanted to do something into NRT then head from NRT-BKK, but that segment seems to be problematic. ICN-BKK also seems to be pretty scarce at this point, hence the weird routing through BJS...

I�d recommend asking about the segments issue in the CO forum, I�m not a CO expert, I just know it would be an issue with other FFPs I�m more familar with (most have a maximum of 3-5 segments per direction and/or a maximum of 8-10 segments for the entire trip.)

Finding flights to SYD over NYE is quite a challenge, if TG didn�t have excellent award availability, I�d say it�s nearly impossible to get there even in C.

If there�s really nothing via NRT I�d recommend PEK/PVG/KIX, especially KIX tends to have decent availability.

Max segments for CO is apparently 10. Closest I've gotten on a CO mileage ticket is 9 and that ticketed a few months ago. Outbound was six segments alone: BOS-YYZx-YUL-ZRH-GVA-LHRx-NRT. Changed eventually to a much simpler routing

Avoid Beijing transit as you might need a visa. Shanghai allows US citizens visa-free transit, at least it did last time I checked.

Plenty of options to Asia in F but then slim pickings to Aus/NZ. Thai and OZ are probably your best bets, unless you can find the SQ 747.

Air New Zealand's J is quite good - you might consider less connections in favor of this. Usually loads of availability out of YVR: AUS-IAH-YVR-AKL could work. Another CO option is to take Virgin's flight HKG-SYD, though this doesn't have wonderful availability and is only in J.

Re. booking: you can't book a oneway on CO yet. You can book a return leg with currently-available seats and then change your ticket when the desired dates become available. The cost would be the change fee (nothing for Plats, $25 for Golds, etc.) and difference in taxes. Best way of confirming the seats on the outbound.

Cheers!

No visa is required for transfers up to 24 hours.