Alireza, Here in Australia the 'published fare' for the star Alliance 'lite' fare is AUD$2299 which is 26000 miles on any Star Carrier - eg UA to Australia and SQ back to LHR via SIN. Then you can get UA or AC etc back to the USA. Its a great fare - you should see how much it is in the USA. (The routings are really unlimted) You could even get NZ via HNL, PPT, RAR or NAN on the way over the pacific which would be great for you!! The even better fare is the Star Alliance 1 fare which is $2700 here. That puts you in full fare Y class and 29000 miles. Best part about that is that for example as a UA Premier Exec member I earn 15400 miles on the MEL-SYD-LAX sector (Double miles earned). An upgrade from full fare (Y) B class to J (C) class on that sector is only 15000 miles. Therefore you are essentially getting a business class seat for a Y class fare - which is very good value for (no) money across the pacific (and in the end you still come out 400 FF miles and 7700 status miles ahead.) Hope that makes sence!! Dave ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alireza Alivandivafa" <DEmocrat2n@xxxxxxx> To: <AIRLINE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 5:42 PM Subject: Re: SP vs. 400 > In a message dated 8/13/2003 12:11:59 AM Pacific Daylight Time, > thedarkstar2@xxxxxxxxxxx writes: > > << Well if its any concern Alireza I am trying to buy a Y class MEL-LAX at the > moment and QF's cheapest fare is AUD$1700 so dont fret too much. USD$500 > fares are very very very rare and may have been offered through friends > etc... > > There is probably more to the fares your friends obtained. The lowest fare I > have ever seen in recent times here was AUD$990 on UA back about 18 months > ago and the offer lasted 1 week! >> > > 990 AUD is 646 USD. I would jump at that in a hot second, as 990 USD is a > cheap fare for us. >