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Hello,
I have been going crazy trying to find a solution on how to use points to get (directly ideally) from somewhere in South America (Santiago, Buenos Aires to either Australia or New Zealand. We dont actually mind whether its Auckland, Sydney or Melbourne.
I know that my BA premium companion voucher is useless as qantas and Latam don’t accept them.
IS there a sensible way to do it, we have around 400,000 avios points and a couple of premium companion vouchers
I am also considering something like leaving SA to get to a north american hub Los Angeles or so, and crossing the pacific that way, is it even possible? Intended travel time is around Jan or Feb 2026.
Any advice, help would be appreciated.
Is it even possible? I am starting to think it is not… (Not too fussed about travel class, Business would be great, but Economy is also fine.
Thanks
Latam LA 0805 SCL to MEl
Latam LA0801 SCL-AKL via SYD.
There will be more flights from LAX (and others in the USA) to Australia and NZ, but that will be 2 very long flights instead of 1, and so cost many more avios if there is availability.
Latam LA 0805 SCL to MEl
I had to google and got confused by Meridian, Mississippi at first. Then I spotted it wasn’t an I, it was an L.
Latam LA 0805 SCL to MEl
Thanks, these are both showing as not availble on the BA website with ‘book with avios’. Should I be checking somewhere else?
There will be more flights from LAX (and others in the USA) to Australia and NZ, but that will be 2 very long flights instead of 1, and so cost many more avios if there is availability.
yes makes sense, so a bit of a waste. We would prefer one flight 100%
Latam LA 0805 SCL to MEl
I had to google and got confused by Meridian, Mississippi at first. Then I spotted it wasn’t an I, it was an L.
That massively helps! Thank you
Latam LA 0805 SCL to MEl
Thanks, these are both showing as not availble on the BA website with ‘book with avios’. Should I be checking somewhere else?
Keep checking. Also consider using a service like seats.aero to alert you if they become available (check for American or Qantas availability as BA never shows on seats.aero).
Sorry for the confusion. Just a quick cut and paste answer earlier
These , when I was looking a few years back, were bookable on the QANTAS site.
I was going to use QANTAS ff miles.
They may he bookable with AVIOS
Qantas also flies SCL-SYD (QF28). There is likely more availability to QFF members, so if you have Amex points you could transfer to a QFF account.
LATAM is bookable using Avios on BA, Qatar and Iberia. Also bookable using VA and DL miles. I’ve found Qatar to have the lowest mileage requirements. Simplest way to search for LA availability I find to be on the DL website (and it usually mirrors what others will have available – you’ll have to double check though).
Sadly the SCL-IPC-PPT route doesn’t seem to be flown anymore. I flew it the other way around, one of my most memorable trips.
Good luck!
Qantas also flies SCL-SYD (QF28). There is likely more availability to QFF members, so if you have Amex points you could transfer to a QFF account.
LATAM is bookable using Avios on BA, Qatar and Iberia. Also bookable using VA and DL miles. I’ve found Qatar to have the lowest mileage requirements. Simplest way to search for LA availability I find to be on the DL website (and it usually mirrors what others will have available – you’ll have to double check though).
Sadly the SCL-IPC-PPT route doesn’t seem to be flown anymore. I flew it the other way around, one of my most memorable trips.
Good luck!
That would have been such an amazing route if it was possible. Thanks for the tips. It’s looking like most options appear to take us back over europe then down the Australia with is annoying.
BTW there’s LATAM GRU-JNB and QF JNB-SYD.
BTW there’s LATAM GRU-JNB and QF JNB-SYD.
Thanks Richie – Not so sure we want to go to JNB although could do it as a (don’t leave the airport situation) Shame there doesnt appear to be an option for Cape Town.
BTW there’s LATAM GRU-JNB and QF JNB-SYD.
Thanks Richie – Not so sure we want to go to JNB although could do it as a (don’t leave the airport situation) Shame there doesnt appear to be an option for Cape Town.
From a timing perspective at least, it looks pretty doable.So long as you can endure two back to back overnight flights.
Latam lands at JNB at 12:25pm
QF departs from JNB at 5:15pm
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