The Qantas San Francisco to Sydney flight that begins in mid-December is now searchable and bookable on aa.com. This is really bad news for Business Class award space.

Last week I wrote that there was plenty of Business Class award space on the flight, searchable on Expert Flyer and bookable by calling American Airlines.

LAN Airlines, the flag carrier of Chile, has daily flights from Santiago to Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui and Isla de Pascua. That route makes sense to connect Easter Island to its capital city.

What makes far less sense is the weekly flight from Easter Island another five hours west to Tahiti. There's also usually a summer seasonal (our winter) route from Lima to Easter Island, though it hasn't been announced for 2015/2016.

LAN is a member of a oneworld, so you can use American Airlines miles or British Airways Avios to book the flights.

Qantas begins flying its 747s between San Francisco and Sydney on December 18, 2015. The plane features 58 flat beds in Business Class, Premium Economy, and economy with no First Class.

Uncharacteristically for Qantas flights, the route has amazing award space in Business Class that you can book with American Airlines miles. But the space is hidden; you need to know where to look.
Product
I flew Qantas Business Class on its A380 two years ago from Melbourne to Los Angeles.

American Airlines will start flying its 787-8 Dreamliners with economy and Business Class seating from Los Angeles to Shanghai on October 5, 2015 and Sao Paulo on November 5, 2015.

Award space is dismal in Business Class on both routings, which is a bummer since the product and Saver mileage price are fantastic.

American Airlines is running a sale on the purchase of their miles through Monday July 13, 2015. You can buy up to 100,000 American Airlines miles during the sale and get up to 27,500 bonus miles plus 15% off the normal price.

The discount is fixed, but the bonus miles are tiered, based on how many miles you purchase.

American Airlines miles cost 2.95 cents each plus a 7.5% excise tax, and every purchase has a $30 processing fee.

Japan Airlines First Class space is widely available for 1-3 people per flight between Tokyo and Sydney between October 2015 and March 2016.

Japan Airlines First Class space is widely available for 1-3 people per flight between Tokyo and Sydney between October 2015 and March 2016.

There's an idea that you have to book your award tickets exactly 11 months in advance or there will be no award space. Having booked tons of awards for myself and clients of the MileValue Award Booking Service at all times from 11 months to 11 hours in advance, I can tell you that that idea is a myth.

While it is an advantage to know where you want to go 11 months out and start looking, the award space on your route might open up at any time before departure as airlines adjust their award space based on how

Qatar Airways plans to fly its A350 between Philadelphia and Doha starting on January 1, 2016.

The A350 is the world's newest passenger jet, newer than both the 787 Dreamliner and A380.

Last month I flew from Bogota, Colombia to Washington, DC in economy with a layover in Miami. I was able to get free lounge access in Bogota and Miami from my Citi Prestige® Card.

The Citi Prestige® Card offers free Priority Pass Select lounge membership, which gives free access to over 700 lounges worldwide. Download the Priority Pass app to your phone or search for lounges here.