Originally Posted by iant
Having been a lurker on this forum for quite a while, I've finally decided to get more involved with my first attempt at an AONEx.
My planned itinerary is designed to take me to various cities I want to visit whilst routing to maximise the miles and tier points, and is as follows:
NBO-JNB-CPT-LHR-DXB-HEL-DXB-LHR-CAI-LHR-SYD-AKL-HKG-JFK-LAX-DFW-ANC-DFW-LAX-LHRxLOS
A couple of thoughts.
There is no First Class service on the AKL-HKG route anymore, so would have to be in Business Class with no compensation. I advise you to fly back to MEL or SYD and take CX First Class from there. If you need an extra segment to do this, you could skip JNB-CPT, which is short and can be purchased as a cheap separate ticket.
For the SYD-AKL flight, the only F service is operated by Lan Chile and it is only operated three times per week (may go up to four). I would try for this flight, keeping in mind you could also get it using its Qantas codeshare number.
The rule about nonstops to the Middle East only applies ex-London, so there is nothing to stop you from doing HEL-DXB-HEL, but, as discussed above, it may not be the nicest flight ever.
Are you allowed to end in LOS or must you return to NBO?
Maybe try somehting like this:
1 - NBO-JNB on BA (Comair) J Class
(JNB-CPT on separate ticket, known as a surface segment)
2 - CPT-LHR on BA F Class
3 - LHR-DXB or CAI on BA F Class
4 - DXB or CAI-LHR on BA F Class
5 - LHR-IST on BA J Class
6 - IST-LHR on BA J Class
7 - LHR-SYD on BA or QF F Class
8 - SYD-AKL on LA F Class or QF J Class
9 - AKL-SYD on LA F Class or QF J Class
10 - SYD-HKG on QF or CX F Class
11 - HKG-JFK on CX F Class
12 - JFK-LAX on AA or QF F Class
13 - LAX-DFW on AA F Class (go for the 777 flight)
14 - DFW-ANC on AA F Class
15 - ANC-DFW on AA F Class
16 - DFW-LAX on AA F Class (go for the 77 flight)
17 - LAX-LHR on AA or BA F Class
18 - LHR-LOS on BA F Class
This would leave you with two extra segments. You are paying for Asia and have no Asian segments in your itinerary. I would reccomend adding HKG-NRT -HKG on CX First Class. At 1800 miles each way, it is a nice mileage earner and the service is exceptional. If you are pressed for time, this can be done as a day trip. Another option is HKG-DPS-HKG on CX Business Class. More miles (2136), but only J Class. Can also be done as a day tip, but much harder to do.
Adding the NRT turn around, you would fly 63822 miles. Not as good as your original routing, but this one is more liklely to be allowed.