Before I knew better, I did one AONE3 ex-U.S. Then I joined FT and smartened up. In the early years (for me), I bought them directly from BA at MRU. There was no central faring; and the BA staff at the station didn't really understand the rules. This went on for a number of years, until South Africa became the place; and I was buying from Mindpearl. The BA flights were overnights from LHR arriving early morning, then departed South Africa in the early evening, so they just sat in South Africa all day. I had a number of single days at both JNB and CPT and did some great sightseeing. At that time, a close friend was chairman of a consulting company which had offices seemingly everywhere; and his J'burg office found an excellent tour guide for me.

I had one ticket ex-South Korea; I can't recall clearly right now, but it may have been the 10 year anniversary 10% discount year. Then I stopped buying them until ex-SEZ last year.

I agree, those were the days.