Mwenenzi/NM, thanks for your info. i had planned on doing mdw-dfw-nrt and "return" to chicago via ord to avoid the "pumpkin" clause (my last rtw was early 2004).

Mwenenzi, just so i understand you correctly, if i originate from ORD and return to ORD, can i still take 3 more trips within north america from ORD (since i have 6 unused segments)?

millionmiler, thanks for your suggestions! my first thought was rtw as that was the only ticket i had experience with (early 2004). i will look into that again.

johnax, thanks for the suggestion on using CX over pacific. i know i'd rather their service vs AA, but without the info from Mwenenzi/NM, i had intended to depart from MDW which means i'll need to fly via DFW and thus hadnt considered CX. but with Mwenenzi/NM's new info this avenue might be open again!

love all the ideas guys. if anyone has any other, i will certainly appreciate it!