I was hoping for some advice on a DONE3. I've read through the stickies and a lot of threads but could still use (a lot of) help with some questions.

1) I'm thinking about starting in BKK but am in HKG right now (BKK looks like the cheapest starting point in East Asia that has nonstop service to Europe). Can a HKG-based travel agent set that up or do I need to get it issued in BKK by CX/BA/AA or a TA? (I believe it is the latter but just wanted to double check)

2) Is there any benefit of going through a TA versus an airline RTW desk? Could I call the airline to set up the reservations and have the TA pull the record and book it (and get the commission)?

If I book through an airline desk, which one is better at handling RTW tickets: CX, BA, or AA? Do they all follow the same procedures with regard to fuel surcharges and service fees? (On award tix, AA does not charge whereas CX and BA do.)

3) When accessing each airline's inventory, am I always looking for the "D" bucket to confirm if there is a seat? Sometimes, I see D zeroed out but both C and J available.

4) After I start traveling, I understand I can make changes to the routing for a fee ($75/$125). If I use a travel agent, do I have to go back to the travel agent or can I just go straight to the airline to make the changes?

5) Here is the itinerary I am thinking about, depending on the availability:

BKK-LHR-DFW-MIA-JFK-HKG-ICN-HKG-BKK (yeah, lots of unused segments )

Since I started in BKK, I understand I have to end in BKK.

I understand that I am allowed two stopovers in my region of origin, Asia. Can both stopovers be the same city (say I want to milk a use up the extra available segments to rack up status miles)? I think CX has a nonstop to DEL from HKG, could I do a return trip the way many folks fly LHR-DXB for fun (although CX's J configuration in an A330 is not quite BA's 777)?

Alternatively, let's say I take the last flight from ICN to HKG and book the next morning's flight to BKK from HKG (to satisfy the requirements of the ticket). Can I throw away the last segment?

6) Based on my itinerary, should I have any problem getting an e-ticket issued? I want to keep the connection in BKK as brief as possible.

7) Is there a rule of thumb about paying for extra segments on a DONE3 versus buying a separate return ticket? If I add additional segments in Asia after the four that are allowed, am I also allowed extra stopovers? If so, could I stopover in the same city again (and again)?

Thanks!