Buenos Aires > Melbourne return 2012

[Tortuga]

I am planning on visiting my family some time between March and July 2012. I am based in Argentina at the moment and I am trying to see what options I have. I know Qantas will cease direct flights between Buenos Aires and Sydney in June. I only have ~80,000 points with Qantas and no status even though I have 385 status credits so far (all my flights were with Iberia on seamen tickets and to qualify I need at least 4 qantas flights). So far I can see fares ~$2,400 return with Qantas in March. I would prefer more direct flights over flying via Dubai to Melbourne even though it is $600 cheaper with Emirates from what I could see. Would be good to find some use for my points as well if possible. I can't find a site that gives a big overview of prices for each month. Any help or ideas are appreciated.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I know you prefer direct flights, but if you're trying to use your points, you could book as Buenos Aires to Santiago (LAN), then Santiago to Sydney (Qantas), then Sydney to Melbourne (Qantas also)... can't think of another way of using the Qantas points without going via the USA/Canada, unless CX fly there - but even then, that would be via Asia anyway (and would use more points than the Qantas flights).

EDIT: If you book this either using cash or as an Any Seat Award (thus earning status credits), the SCL-SYD SYD-MEL MEL-SYD and SYD-SCL Qantas flights would give you the four you need to qualify as silver