I've recently started my own thread on a LONE4, but after seeing spotwelder's comprehensive response on this thread, i thought i may as well join it with my own questions.

I too am organising a LONE5. It was to be a LONE4 but trying to find a spare L class seat on any OW flight out of SCL to australia is proving impossible. So, i'm going to add a continent and try and come back through LAX.

The cities I really want to visit are GIG, EZE, LIM, NRT, LHR, MAD. everything else is really just to maximise points and SCs.

so I'm looking at the following itinerary. any further thoughts would be much appreciated. I am currently QF PS (OW ruby) although if the AA platinum challenge is considered worth it by fellow flyertalkers, i might shift the whole thing into the AA program.

Currently, my thinking is

SYD-BNE-PER-MEL and then after a suitable break start the real trip
MEL-NRT-HKG-KHI-HKG-SIN-HEL-LHR-LED-HEL-MAD-GIG-SCL-LIM-EZE-LAX-JFK-SYD

this appears to get me 520 SC (not bad for L class) and 61,759 points (including the ruby bonus on QF, BA and AA flights and the BA and AA discount for L class). I have to do the whole thing in about 3 weeks, which is a little frustrating, but for that amount of points and SCs, it looks worth it.

can anyone see any flaws in it ?

cheers, david