Since my fears that AS metal would not be permited have been confirmed (), here is a slightly modified itinerary. I have heard on the BA board, however, of people getting full points/miles on AS metal for AA flights, so is there no way of being a little sneaky about it?

Modified Itinerary:
HRE-JNB / BA
JNB-NBO / BA
NBO-JNB / BA
JNB-LHR / BA
LHR-BCN / BA
BCN-LHR-JFK / BA
JFK-MIA / AA
MIA-LAX / AA
LAX-ORD-ANC / AA
ANC-ORD / AA
ORD-SEA / AA
SFO-HKG-SYD / CX
SYD-AKL / QA
CHC-BNE / QA
BNE-ADL / QA
ADL-SYD / QA
SYD-JNB / QA

It is slightly more circuitous having to go via ORD, but I suppose I could see somone or do something there. Problem is connections between LAX and SEA on AA seem non-existant. I could also just buy a seperate ticket with AS, but then I wouldn't be able to take full advantage of up to 6 flights.