I'd like to do another RTW starting in CPT. I've gone over the threads, did not understand AT ALL rule 3.2.1. I googled it and, lo and behold, was referred to a FT thread from 2 years ago. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...e-sheet-6.html around page 6-9 (thanks Pandaperth)
That really helped and I felt better regarding my inability to wrap my mind around what they meant--was it Moomba who said "I'm totally confused"? As I understand it,the rule is similar to the one transcon rule for NA; Heaven forbid you should rack up too many miles. I also searched Gardyloos other posts and the one in the Premium Fares thread (MR forum) was quite helpful. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/premi...us-4271-a.html

Another concern is the Mindpearl situation. Any recent good news there? Is it still realistic to count on being able to purchase at CPT fare?

I am going to a meeting in CPT in April, probably on an award ticket and returning on the RTW ticket. Could I purchase the RTW when I arrive from a travel agent there? Has anyone done this? That would be nerve wracking as I envision myself stuck in Capetown (I am employed full time) so I'd like to have ticket in hand before leaving US (or available for pickup in CPT as I did with my first RTW from WAW). Are there travel agents (non airline) in the US who are skilled with obtaining the city of departure fares?

My main goal is to see the world, and, secondarily, to maximize miles and qualify for EXP. Looks like this will still be doable even though EQP are history. I am doing the PLT challenge so will be PLT for 2016 if no more snafus on my flights. And I should be less than 50 K miles from lifetime PLT by year's end. So this trip should clinch it, if the lifetime program is not axed in the meantime. I have waaay too many banked miles, and plan to break up my trip so I'm not gone from work for one extended period. Are there any award booker types that handle mixed award/revenue travel? Or, although it seems more reasonable to travel west, I've thought of going CPT-*-NRT and starting a second RTW from there to facilitate the work burden. I'm sure I'll seek specific advice re optimization once I learn whether originating in another continent is still doable.