I will very probably try to fit it into another around the world trip (or even in a combination of two such tickets as they are valid for 12 months, and you can change dates and routings, with the exception of the first transatlantic flight, for free till flight date) and book it still in dec-98 with StarAlliance - the Lufthansa people here in Zurich (no UA anymore here) "warned" me that those r-t-w-tickets will increase prices (but also include the new partners) in early 99 (may be already on jan-1st?).