I believe indogulf has got it right when he says each airline (and perhaps each office of each airline) interpret the rules differently. According to GuyBetsy, CX interprets the rules very rigidly. AA on the other hand is much more liberal.

Two of my friends just bought tickets from AA in America at SEL prices with originations in SEL. AA now allows Asia originations to make 2 stops in Asia. One of these stops can be anywhere in Asia, the other must be at the Intercontinental arrival or departure gateway.

On a downside AA did not allow them to choose the sectors to downgrade in order to get an extra segment at a coach price. AA now says the segments past MAX permitted in a continent are the ones that must be downgraded to get the 100 dollar addon.

rich