SYD-LAX Permitted Routing

[madrooster]

When booking a return ticket SYD-LAX, up until the end of about 2011 or maybe early 2012 SYD-x/MEL-LAX and SYD-x/BNE-LAX were permitted routings allowing you to book these two routings for the same base fare as SYD-LAX give or take airport tax differences (BNE being more, MEL being less). Now they show as options when searching for flights but are priced as SYD-MEL one way, MEL-LAX-MEL return, MEL-SYD one way on the one itinerary for example.

In contrast, ex-MEL has permitted routings of MEL-LAX or MEL-x/SYD-LAX, similar for BNE. Another example is ex-LAX to SYD return has permitted routings of LAX-x/BNE-SYD, LAX-SYD or LAX-x/MEL-SYD for a similar price for each of the 3 options (ie. same base fare, just tax differences). VA also permits these same routings, including SYD-x/BNE-LAX and SYD-x/MEL-LAX for the same base fare.

Before anyone asks why would you route via BNE or MEL from SYD, especially given the SYD F lounge... it's more about MEL as it allows you to have an A380 on the long sector (which is less likely to be subbed compared to QF11) as well as arrive early into LAX without the 747 lottery on QF107.

Anyone know why QF changed this whether intentional or unintentional? Red Roo?