Are you sure about this? I know that people have discussed here about doing this, but that was a while ago. I do know that a paid and award ticket can't be linked in this way to avoid the APD. This was from an agent I've worked with a bunch who really is very knowledgeable. Is it different with to separate paid tickets in this regard? It doesn't seem that the paid/award distinction would matter here, but I haven't asked about two separate paid tickets.
Cheers.
I am OP. This is a paid and award scenario. Paid into and out of LHR from USA. Award LHR-AUH-KHI RT