Hi folks,
I have skimmed through this thread and I have to admit that most of it is pretty cryptic for me ;-)
Maybe one of you experts could give me some advice on my 4LONE itinerary. Currently it looks like this:

FRA-HKG (transit)-SIN-HKG (transit)-OKA-SYD(transit) -NRT--(surface) AKL-SYD--(surface) CNS-HNL-DFW-YVR-LHR-FRA

The first thing I’ve learned here (thanks!) is that the carrier actually matters – big differences concerning tax fees. As far as I’ve understand QF and BE seem to be most expensive whereas JL, LAN, CX and AA are the cheaper ones. This is why a don't take the direct flight FRA-SIN by Quantas but using CX via HKG.

1. Questions: Are there big differences between JL, LAN, CX and AA? It is my impression that this tax thing matters only on long distance flights, probably because of the fuel charges ? (Please correct me if I’ wrong).

2. I don'kt like the Hawaii -Dallas-Vancouver routing (I'd like to skip Dallas and fly directly or via west cost e.g. LAX, but this seems to be impossible). Do you know a better alternitive?

3. Apparently you can save some money by making the actual booking in another country than the one you are starting in. Apparently you guys likes AA in Denver most – do they really carry out the booking for me even when my itinerary starts in Germany? Do I then get the american pricing, which is cheaper than the german one?

4. Do you know any other tweaks how to reduce the costs of this itinerary or improve it otherwise (better routing, carrier etc.)?

5. Is it possible to collect miles with and use them on upgrades during the ONE itinerary?

I’d really appreciate your help!
Bests,
Knusper