I am thinking of doing IST-xLHR-xDXB-xLHR-SYD... in J (have access to F lounges), which is a bit longer than the longest stretch I've flown in the past. I have no interest at all in a DXB or LHR stopover, but since I'd like to fly LHR-SYD with BA I find it hard to schedule an overnite (albeit <24) layover in LHR, as a 'pit stop' to rest for a while.

So, my one option seems to be to make LHR a >24 paid stopover, and, ...err, enjoy it, or just keep flying IST...SYD, which sounds excessive.

Anybody done this MR and survived to tell the story?