Hi All

I'm in the early stages of planning an AONE4, ex-CAI, itinerary as follows:

CAI-LHR
LHR-BKK
BKK-HKG
HKG-NRT
NRT-HKG
HKG-SYD
SYD-PER
PER-ASP-CNS (not in OWE)
CNS-MEL
MEL-AKL
AKL-DUD (not in OWE)
CHC-SYD
SYD-HNL
HNL-SFO
SFO-LAX
LAX-LAS
LAS-MIA
MIA-IAD
IAD-LHR
LHR-DXB
DXB-LHR
LHR-CAI

The main point of this itinerary is to have a jolly good holiday, but of course I have an eye on maxing the miles (47,733 in the OWE as it currently stands) and a BA Gold card (am already Silver)!!!

I have some questions:

1. Is this an OK itinerary? Max 20 flights, max 4 within any continent (except US). Is it OK to pass through hubs multiple times (e.g. LHR, HKG, SYD?)

2. LHR-BKK, BA or QF? Am tempted to try QF First, as I will try BA on IAD-LHR-DXB-LHR and the flights to CAI. But I will get less miles for QF (1.5 times, rather than 2.25 times as Silver). Is it worth it to try out QF?

3. HKG-SYD, QF or CX? What's the First service like on this route for both carriers? Am tempted to try the CX A346, as this will be the only chance to try the longest plane in the world on this itinerary.

4. How many BA tier points do you get for AA First class on two-class domestics, is it 40/60 or 120/180 (short/long haul)?

Many thanks for any info you can give.


PhilH


PS: Am planning a trip report simlar to Steady-EDI (www.rtwman.co.uk), can't imagine it will be half as good though!