Gobsmacked success today. Thinking task impossible requested 1xF SYD-LAX for a couple of dates in Sep (I had done my research showing more than A3) and approved on the spot for both dates I suggested (so anyone hoping may try Sep 12 as that was also approved, but untaken by me) and LAX-SYD also approved sep 21. Added flights to/from MEL no trouble as one would expect.
Yes, obviously the P1 effect, but I am absolutely delighted this came through given the current environment.
HBA agent was fatastic - he was proactive and looked at a few dates for extras within the US I was thinking of but presumed were going to be nigh on impossible but he came up with some options (we ended up dismissing) on alternate dates and honestly he was fantastic to deal with in all aspects.
First international for me in well over 2.5 years should hopefully be a good one