Just spent 1:10 on the phone with UA pricing a RTW. Can anyone confirm that surface segments (i.e. openings between flights) count towards the mileage limit?

In my case I am flying AKL-SYD and then BNE-SIN (buying my own ticket SYD-BNE, because there is no Star Alliance service) and the SYD-BNE segment is being counted towards the 29,000 limit.

This doesn't make any sense.

Also I notice that UA has booked me on all UA flight numbers for Star Alliance partners. I think I should switch them to the flight number of the operating carrier, so I have more flexibility for making changes.

thoughts?