Fastest way is to do your domestic US flights on first.  AA first class attracts the much higher SC rates than Australian business QF flights.  So business to LAX, then first within the US and the SCs add up very quickly.

I got sick of chasing local SIMs while overseas.  So bought a dual-SIM phone and have my Telstra SIM for OZ and a Vodafone for OS both active. I up the Vodafone to a $50 plane during the travel season and drop it down to $30 (minimum post-paid) out of the travel season. Gives me the best of ...