Fantastic, thank for your responses guys. That clears up a lof confusion and arms me with the right knowledge to now start planning the routing.

What I intend to do is create a spreadsheet with 2-3 different routings (somewhat similar) which will span across the 12 months while returning home (MEL) between them. What I'll probably end up doing is EU and US as one trip (Asia treated as transit), Asia as another trip, then SWP as third trip. I would just organise one way flights to/from the necessary origins/destinations either outright or using points. I will post these routings separately for your considered measure. I will also tally up the total status credits and FF points (QF) and the EQM/EQP/RM (AA), while also incorporating the various status bonuses and promos such as Platinum challenge for every segment. I hope to report these results back so that some other people might get some value out it.

The 16 segment limit has got me thinking though. I notice the OWE rules allow you to purchase up to four additional segments. Does anyone know how these additional segment fares are priced? Assuming all F, is it based on distance, location, continent, airline, airport etc? Will I need to go to the extent of getting an itinerary fully priced with the extra segments? Also, I assume the additional segments are treated normally with status/points earn just like the other semgents?

Something I noticed at Expert Flyer was that it stated QF airline availability only listed Economy award! If this is true, why would I bother with EF? I want to see QF upgrade/award for J/F, and RTW/GLOB Y/J/F availability etc. Does KVS have full QF listings?

And just finally... is there any software that can list ALL real (not AA dom F) First class fares and aircraft available in a consolidated or intra/inter continent view? Obviously if I'm buying an AONEx I want to be flying F whereever possible, even at the expense of needing to perform less desirable routing.

Thanks, GM.