Thanks Spider but I don't understand how your method of using a non-US credit card saves money. As I understand it from the above posts, if my initial flight on an RTW ticket originates in the US, I must pay fare denominated in US dollars.
As an example, say the fare is USD 100. If I buy the ticket using a DM credit card, the transaction would be translated into DM 200 (assuming the conversion rate is 2 DM for 1 USD).
I'd have to buy DM 200 which would cost me USD 100. What have I saved?
The only way I could save is if I could buy the ticket in Germany, if the ticket is priced at less than the US price -- say DM 180. Everyone is saying that I can't buy the ticket in Germany.