I believe the cheapest place to commence an AONE is currently South Africa. Hong Kong is not too bad, although no bargain either. Other traditionally 'cheaper' commencement points such as South Korea have increased dramatically.


To find out up to date fares (and I am also doing this exercise presently for an AONE), consider:

(1) Expertflyer, taking out the premium subscription to access fare information. You are able to access RTW for all airlines for all starting points in your preferred currency; and

(2) For the free option, use the Oneworld website which gives fares in the local currency, and convert to your preferred currency using Universal Currency Converter.


These AONEs are not cheap at all (mine is just over $20,000 ex Aust). Each person has to make their own value decision on how practical it is for you to start at some far flung destination to obtain a saving on the fare (and often incurring time, inconvenience, dollar/points to get to destination, associated costs and whether you will miss out using segments at the end of the itinery to "return" to point of commencement) against the AONE fare saving obtained.


I concur with the previous poster that the Oneworld forum provides detailed and expert information.