Originally Posted by
SQ421
I've managed to eek out 60482 BIS Miles == 90723 EQP == 132578 RDM from the following routing...(provided I can book the first two flights on an AA codeshare and sign up for a Plat Challenge) and I was wondering if this is as optimized as an ex-JNB DONE5 can get, or is there more scope to squeeze out some more miles?
JNB-LHR-MCT-LHR-LAX-DFW-ANC-DFW-LAX-JFK-HKG-BOM-HKG-DEL-NRT-SYD-JNB
Also, I'm guessing the best way to set this up is to call the AA RTW desk (to ensure I get AA Codeshares wherever possible, especially the first two flights) and ticket through an agent either in Canada (Gala Travels comes to mind) or South Africa (Mindpearl still operational?).
Cheers
You most likely won't get to use AA codes on JNB-LHR-MCT, but will on MCT-LHR-LAX, which will be more than enough for the Plat challenge. (The first two segments' EQP will certainly count against your EXP quest, which I'm assuming is a motive here?)
If so, and assuming you don't need to return to South Africa at the end, then you could use the "second Europe entry" exception to your advantage, e.g.
CPT-LHR-MCT-LHR-DFW-ANC-DFW-YVR-JFK-HKG-BOM-HKG-DEL-NRT-SYD-xLHR-NBO comes in at over 67,300 miles, well in excess of the EXP threshold. Of course you need to fly to ANC during the summer, otherwise look to the Caribbean for alternative 2000-mile+ routes in the winter.
I'd send an itinerary both to Mindpearl and use the online tool, just to see who's cheapest. I think Mindpearl are great, but the last couple of times I've priced an xONEx through them it came back more expensive than using the online tool. If you choose to use the Kenya/Uganda exception, I'd probably go with the AA RTW desk, and tell them from the start that's your plan.