Originally Posted by skipaway

I have an observation and a couple questions that have come up as I try to set up my fourth xONEx. I have purchased a one way ticket to NRT for March 5, so I'd better get with it.

1. It's harder to originate in Asia than Europe if you're a US resident repositioning for value and preservation of ability to have several separate vacations utilizing the 6 NA segments. I will be originating in Tokyo and I hadn't realized how few cities have oneworld non-stops to US from cities not in Japan (which you can't transit until end of trip), And since I want to ticket with the American RTW desk (good service, familiarity, and the airline with which I hold OW emerald status), I will need a trans-ocean flight on AA metal.

2. Have any of you constructed a trip with emphasis on racking up miles and points? I'm planning on a DONE4 and was going to fly to Australia, then home. Easy peasy. Unfortunately, crises at work have curtailed the time I have available at the beginning of my trip--I'll have only about 2 weeks, but they'd be eternally grateful if I didn't take even that long. I'm thinking NRT-CMB-PVG-DFW, and saving Australia and Asia stops for end of trip. If anyone has tackled this problem, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

3. Is cabin bonus paid on the operating or marketing (ticketing) airline? Flying Sri Lankan to and from CMB means no cabin bonus on D fare. From NRT there is a JAL codeshare on that flight. Would I earn the 150% cabin bonus if I ticket with JAL flight number? JAL codeshare is not available CMB-PVG. I could go on CX CMB-HKG-USA, but CX pays only 25% cabin bonus on D so shorter distance might minimize value. With the 150% bonus, and lack of time to really savor the trip, may be it would be best to just fly first flight straight back on JAL after a few days in Tokyo.