In a message dated 8/13/2003 4:35:18 PM Pacific Daylight Time, thedarkstar2@xxxxxxxxxxx writes: << 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.) >> What is this, some sort of round the world?