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Last month American Airlines announced it would fly from Los Angeles to Sydney beginning December 17, 2015. Even after it starting selling tickets and AAnytime (expensive) award space, it hadn’t released a single MileSAAver award seat in any cabin in either direction as of a few weeks ago.
American Airlines is now releasing good economy award space on the route, especially from Los Angeles to Sydney. It still has released no Business Class or First Class award space.
Economy MileSAAver award space between North America and Australia/New Zealand is 37,500 American Airlines miles one way. Award space begins February 1, and you can find it on most days heading west in February.
In our Spring, their Fall, award space gets a little less frequent.
In our Summer, their Winter, it becomes rare.
Heading from Sydney to Los Angeles, award space is much less available. I only found it on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Remember that you can connect to this award space in the United States on American, US Airways, or Alaska Airlines MileSAAver award space for zero extra miles. You can also connect throughout Australia and New Zealand on Qantas flights for zero extra miles.
For instance, Phoenix to Perth is 37,500 American Airlines miles and $34 one way.
Getting the Miles
For a limited time, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® offers 50,000 bonus American Airlines miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months. That means you’ll have 55,000 American Airlines miles after meeting the spending requirement. That’s almost enough miles for a roundtrip to Australia or New Zealand in economy (75,000 miles.)
Included in the $450 annual fee, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® offers Admirals Club lounge membership, meaning you can access over 90 American Airlines Clubs in airports around the world whenever you’re flying–even if you’re not flying on American. Plus you can bring in any two guests for free OR your spouse and all children under 18 for free on each visit.
Bonus
The full announcement was that American Airlines would take over one of Qantas’ daily flights from Los Angeles to Sydney, and that Qantas would simultaneously restart San Francisco to Sydney service. That route has finally released its first Business Class award seat. (Literally one seat on one day in one direction.) Don’t expect much Business Class space on this route ever.
Just getting started in the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card for you to start with.
With a bonus of 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months, 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel℠ and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!
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