advice needed for airlines from SYD to the states
 

sorry i'm not sure what area of the board to post this. so please move if needed.

i am looking to go to the states from sydney (final destination WI). i'm working myself into a crazy mess trying to figure out what is the best airline option.

i have ff miles united. i really don't wish to fly united as i've had probs in the past with them. however, i love air new zealand who are part of the alliance. i have looked into a few flights and have some itineraries with a few places.. but i just discovered this morning that my miles are due to expire in april (and it's going to be very difficult to keep myself active living over here now with no credit card) plus i have to book certain classes to even get the ff miles (which ultimately = more $$$) so if i want to go air nz, i have to be prepared to pay a high fare (plus the extra stopover and possibly overnighting in chicago.. which i'd like to avoid)

so i'm stuck in a rut. do i fly air nz and pay a lot to get the points or go with a new airline completely to keep the fare down? i've been suggested V australia. but no points and it's new so i don't know anything about it! and i feel a bit uncertain since there is no feedback.

i have around 23,000 miles already accumulated with united. i think you need around 80K for a free flight to the states. i will say i don't travel often now that i live in aus and i probably will only go back to the states every couple/few years.

OR i could get a cheaper air nz flight and just not get the miles. or i could hope for the best and get a united flight (but i think the travel agent said they aren't different in price than air nz, so i'd just prefer them anyway then)

argh!
so now i'm really in a rut!

help! i need to figure out what to do basically asap. one fair ends sat and i only have a day off tomorrow and would need to book tomorrow. suggestions?

with things so expensive here i wonder if it's not even worth bothering with ff programs and just going for the cheapest flights.

Generally any activity in your mileage account extends your expiration date. For example, you might want to donate 1,000 miles to your favorite charity, order something from an airline mall, stay overnight in a local hotel, rent a car for a day, and so on. Check your airline web site to see your options for non-flight mileage earning opportunities.

thanks, i'll definately look into extending it and see if my father in the states can make a purchase for me using my mp#.

i'm still up in the air about what to do re the flights. an air nz flight in the correct class to get miles is about $600 more. at 23,000 miles only right now and needing 80,000.. i'm wondering if it's not worth it to go anz and just get the v aus flight. and then just keep my ua miles active and this time go for the cheaper option

but i don't know much about this stuff.. that is why i'm here asking advice.

does that sound like the best option?? i am hoping someone will answer soon because i have to go to the travel agent in about 2 hrs! thanks again!