Just trying to get my head around OW RTW fare rules, hope you can give some feedback (sorry if this has been addressed in other postings, am sure it might help others to re-iterate):

General:

What are the respective mileage limits for Circle Pacific, Circle Trip Explorer and Explorer fares?

The time limits for completing travel on Explorer tickets are a year and six months for Circle Trip Explorer, how about Circle Pacific?

Where a routing from one point to another involves a change of flight (IE no direct OW flight), is this considered a direct journey or two separate flights, irrespective of the fact that the intermediate point was simply for immediate transfer?

I’ve downloaded the OW timetable but does this list all OW codeshare options as thoroughly as, say, OAG?

One clause I read in the rules stated that even business class tickets will be booked in Y on Lan Chile internal flights; I’ve flown with them before and while not all internals offer J, some do. Any ideas why this has come about?

OW RTW products are not upgradeable sector-by-sector. Which, if any, of the carriers are prepared to bend the rules?

Has anyone tried out WorldFlyer ticket books, do they represent good value?

Explorer
As I understand it, a maximum of four stops are permissible; but can you go back to the same city twice, provided it’s not the point of origin (just country or continent)? For example, if my origin of travel was HKG and my stopovers in Europe were: 1) LHR 2) FCO 3) LHR 4) LHR prior to onward return travel to HKG, is this allowed?

Can the fourth stop be within the continent or does it have to be the exit flight to the next one?

I see that there’s no mention of eastern Scandinavia, Europe or Russia in each of the continental options. Are these considered part of Europe, for OW purposes? Is Turkey considered to be Middle East and, therefore for OW purposes, Europe?

“Except if originating from Southwest Pacific or Hong Kong where, if in first and business class, there is no minimum stay” – what’s defined as SW Pacific and what are the minimum stay restrictions?

As for no restrictions on moving freely intra-continent, surely mileage restrictions must kick in?

Circle Pacific
I see the rules state that “For travel originating or including South America, travel must be via the North/Central Pacific in one direction, and via Chile to from Australia / New Zealand on Qantas services (not via USA) in the other”. So…

1) What is the North/Central Pacific area defined as? IE what are the OW hubs?
2) Via Chile to / from Australia on Qantas services – I see that although QF has a codeshare with LA on this route, it is in fact operated by LA, does this qualify?