Two new routes open up more exciting eco-travel opportunities for miles and points collectors!  The whole miles and points world is talking about the new routes from California to Sydney.  American Airlines will begin direct service on the busy LAX to SYD route 17 Dec 2015 – just in time for the peak season down under.  This will add more potential award seats which for AAdvantage members go for 37,000 in Y, 62,500 in J.  Since it does commence during peak season, I don’t expect there to be much award availability until perhaps Feb 2016.  At least AAdvantage members will have a fighting chance to get J awards since they will have the same access as any OneWorld member!

Qantas is re-launching SFO to SYD service from 20 Dec 2015.  Economy awards are generally easy to get but premium class award on QF have always been as rare as hen’s teeth.  At least it’s another connecting point and once you are in SYD you can use the same award to get anywhere in Australia you want.  I have a guide on planning a birding adventure using Western Australia as an example.

If you collect Star Alliance miles/United Mileage Plus, there’s good news for you too!  South African Airways is adding a stop in Accra, Ghana enroute to JNB.  This makes a nice birding itinerary similar to what I did last year.