Well, as I found out that originating in Sweden offers a substantial saving over Canada and I can get there on a free DL ticket, I have changed my RTW routing. Here is how it currently looks.

ARN-ord-mia-scl-gig-scl-eze-MIA-dfw-anc-DFW-yvr-JFK-HKG-KIX-hkg-SIN-DPS-syd-per-bne-WLG-akl-hkg-lhr-DXB-lhr-ist-lhr-arn

I have a new set of questions based on this new routing.

1. Can the ARN-ORD-MIA-SCL segment be considered my in transit pass through NA so long as I do not spend more than 24 hours in the US between arrival at ORD and departure from MIA? I want the second pass through MIA to begin my NA stopover.

2. Will the in transit ORD-MIA count as one of my NA segments? (I'm still OK with only six even if it does.)

3. This is for a mileage run to make EXP on AA as well as for some business and pleasure. The only cities I am wedded to are those shown in CAPS in the itinerary. Any suggestions for increasing the mileage with other routings would be welcomed. I would like to maximize the CX routes as I will be flying first as much as possible.

4. Can I skip the last lhr-arn segment without getting hassled? It is an extra segment in Europe and I will buy it but in coach. I'd just as soon skip flying it and head home from LHR rather than ARN.

5. Assuming I can't skip the lhr-arn segment, do I get an extra stopover in Europe because of buying the extra segment. IOW, can I spend time in London before heading back to ARN. (My 2 stopovers in Europe will be DXB and IST.)

6. I've never flown LA before but will be spending quite a bit of time on them in SA. Any comments, cautions, suggestions?

As always, thanks for any help you can give me.