QF LAX to SYD one way vs return

[VPS]

Just looking at flights from LAX to SYD in QF in October flying PE - one way LAX to SYD is $3342 and return LAX SYD is $3652 - I thought the expensive OW fares were in the past - any hints?

 

[moa999]

nope. Qantas (and indeed most premium airlines) retain expensive one-way fares on a lot of international routes, this madness seems to have mostly gone from AU and US domestic.

Hints.
Use points.
Fly AA to HNL (US domestic), then JQ to Aus

 

[benlight]

I find myself needing a one way flight from LAX/SFO to SYD fairly often. All of the direct flights on this route (QF, VA, DL, UA) generally have exorbitant one way fares, so I sometimes have to get a bit creative with my routing to get the best value. On a few occasions the best value has been to go the opposite direction though Europe, crazy as it might sound!

Adding to moa999's list of hints:
- AA to HNL, FJ to SYD through NAN. (I'll probably do this next time to try out FJ's new A330 and J product.)
- CX or JL through HKG or NRT. One way fares in PE to SYD on these carriers are typically about $1,600.
- Some other non-OneWorld Asian carrier (or Air New Zealand) through their hubs.
- Flying the other direction through Europe (the Mileage Run Deals section of Flyertalk might help you find a great deal).