A note for those researching a US Status Run for the first time (like I did last week): there are common themes that make it easier. Qantas gives 120SC for F between New York/Boston and Dallas, so that's a good leg to have in there. You can tack a extra leg onto the NY end for 30 virtually free SC. LaGuardia is an underrated AA hub for this.
For instance, I'm working in Washington late next month and I've just booked DCA-LGA-DFW-LAX all in F, 240SC for $US530 or under 3AUD per SC. Comfortable full-day trip heading west. Just NY to LAX would have been 150SC (and more expensive for direct); Washington-DFW-LAX only 180SC for $US500. JFK-DFW-LAX gives 210SC for around $US520 which is a decent start.
It doesn't have to be complicated, return, or involve Puerto Rico or Central America, although you can get marginally better value that way. I booked an open-jaw with the current QF sale for $A1,110 MEL-JFK / LAX-MEL. Good price but a woeful 115SC, so the bonus 240SC makes a huge difference to close the jaw.
If you want to earn more SC this way, you can add a stop between DFW & LAX for 40SC such as DEN, SLC or TUS (30 for PHX / LAS) but I found the extra SC were not as good value, around $US4 each.On the eastern side, you can go via CLT or ORD or both but again the value is marginal compared to NY-DFW direct.
Happy hunting!