Hey guys,

I've joined FT a couple of months and with you guys help, I think I'm off to a good start. I chose AA as my main FFP and just completed the AA Platinum challenge and made platinum. Now I'm second guessing myself and wish I'd done the US Preferred Trial instead and made EXP upon merge to AA. But it's ok, that would have required me to fly 30k miles... much harder than getting 10k EQPs on AA with just two flights in first class. Still a little sad because this may be the last year where EXP really means something... who knows what AA will do next year.

Anyways... I'm doing RTW trip, segment by segment ticket purchases, not 1 ticket. And I want to hear your opinions on whether my strategy for this makes sense based on my goals.

Goals (all travel is for leisure):

• Low Stress
• Comfort
• At least Business class on international travel.

Strategy:

• Award Travel only on Business (or First)
• Earn miles via revenue economy tix (Premium economy or Business when it's cheap.. usually on shorter flights).
• Main FFP: AA
• Diversify against eventual AA devaluation: Alaska Airlines FFP and Amex/Citi/Chase/SPG programs. Both Alaska and the credit card programs give me access to *A and ST alliance carriers.
• Domestic: Always revenue AA tix when available at affordable price. If not, buy DL and credit to Alaska.
• International: Award availability or revenue ticket pricing for business seats playing the main role here.

My June trip plan (stopover at every stop of few days):

• JFK-HKG-CMB: CX premium economy paid ticket ($2000)
• CMB-BKK: UL business paid ticket ($400)
• BKK-SIN: SQ business paid ticket ($600)
• SIN-FRA: SQ first class award ticket from Amex points (90k + $250)
• FRA-JFK: Undecided, probably SQ economy paid but prefer SQ Business/First award ticket (availability a problem)

Questions:

• My AA Platinum status gets me nothing on this other than double miles right?
• Would I be able JFK-HKG(stopover)-CMB segment in business for $1000 more? Even if only JFK-HKG part?
• Paid SQ tickets, what's a good FFP to credit them to? I'm guessing keep on SQ as I will probably fly them again. UA award chart is not that good after the devaluation for partner travel from what I understand.
• FRA-JFK segment... would SQ Business/First availability open up closer to travel? I see SQ availability for couple of weeks out but not too far out.
• FRA-JFK, if not SQ, then are any other options for not that expensive business class ticket?
• Does my choices make sense and align with my goals and FFPs I've chosen without being too crazy?

I just want some feedback from people who have been doing this a little longer than me. Even if it's to know that I'm paying too much or bad choice in FFPs for my travel selection, or wasting my time trying to go after a certain award because there's never any availability, etc..

Thanks guys.