J SYD / MEL - LAX return low $5k AUD

[quokka77]

Getting these prices for a variety of airlines (VA QF UA DL) for March dates for a trip I'm looking to book. I'm in BNE and need specific BNE-LAX VA flights to travel with family who already have award seats booked so would need to position to SYD. I can get ITA matrix to price out a 2 day stayover in BNE as part of the fare (IFE0ZSB1) but not sure if i would be able to take a longer break in BNE at the beginning of the fare? Anyone have experience getting similar things to ticket online, or do i need to see a travel agent?

 

[quokka77]

So, managed to find a few options.

Helloworld will ticket it on VA for~$5.2k. They offer approx $100 cashback through cashrewards, allegedly. Their booking engine offers some fun SYD-BNE routings, including via MEL or HTI on the day prior to BNE-LAX (which would be good for a couple of thousand points and an extra 60SC each way, as compared to doing SYD-BNE direct).

Alternatively, the VA mobile site can offer same day SYD-BNE-LAX quote at approx $4.8k after application of the PayPal discount code ( BRW79 ) and alleged $60 cashback through cashrewards.

Hmm. I'm thinking if I'm going to do a mileage / SC run prior to the trans-Pacific leg, i should probably do it the day before, rather than the morning of. It's a shame, because i would like to get the favourable routing and best price, but i guess beggars can't be choosers... $400 dollars vs peace of mind, 120SC and a few thousand points.