Hi all,

I'm planning is RTW trip on a LONE4 ticket, which i'll buy in the UK. It's been pretty tricky getting the information I require out of travel agents - which seems to be the norm judging by this forum. Anyway, I've downloaded the OneWorld planner tool, and come up with this...

Departing 20th November ish....

LHR - NRT
NRT - HKG
HKG - BKK - Bangkok, Thailand (Bangkok)
BKK // SIN
SIN - PER
PER - ASP
ASP - SYD
SYD - CHC
CHC // AKL
AKL - SCL
SCL - IPC (start of June-ish...)
IPC - SCL
SCL // LIM
LIM - EZE
EZE - BCN (be nice to stop in barca for a week maybe....)
BCN - LHR (end of sept 2007)

Now the points where I'm confused are:

* Can I stop in barcelona for a week on the way back? Travel agent says no, route planner doesn't complain....indeed most flights back go via BCN or MAD anyway according to planner.

* It seems my land segment SCL - LIM has effectively cost me a 'free' flight....is that true? (planner says I've used all South American segments). How can I maximise South America flights wise?... for instance I'd have liked to have flown to Rio from Lima and gone overland to Buenos Airies, which would still only be 4 south american flights....

* Any further refinements anyone can spot (or suggested alternatives)? i.e. Australia - any better suggestions? I'm definetely going to fly into perth, but where would people suggest going rather than ASP before sydney?

* Which segments should i definitely book dates for? I.e. AKL - SCL, SCL <-> IPC could be busy etc from what i've read...

* A provisional quote (not inc BCN) came to £1829 inc taxes. Seems very good but, any way i could do better?

* I'm not a member of any FF programs, should i join up to one with this itinerary? If so, which one would you all suggest?

Many thanks in advance for your help!

Ray