As someone else who is new to both the RTW game and flying First, here are several other things to keep in mind.

If you are thinking of buying an AONE ticket, then check to see if real first class is offered where you are planning to go. For example, with a few exceptions, it will not be useful in South America or Australia/New Zealand. In North America, while you can get First class credit for US domestic flights, they will generally be on 2 cabin planes. However, if your itinerary can be worked out to take advantage of flying real First class, then the Mauritius fare is terrific. I am in the final stages of booking AONE5 tickets for myself and my wife and 13 of our 19 segment are in First on 3 cabin planes. The whole itinerary has a total mileage of over 70,000—and most of the choices are places we want to go.

Re, arranging the ticket in Mauritius. I have mentioned elsewhere about some difficulties of booking there (e.g. them inventing constraints that don’t exist) but the main problem has been having them confirm flights in which there seems to be adequate “A” inventory but they can’t confirm the flight. Paradoxically it seems to occur mostly on BA flights, usually (but not exclusively) on BA 122 to LHR- your only way out of MRU at this time!!. After several abortive efforts in setting up an itinerary, I suggest the following strategy: check Expert Flyer or some other source and select several dates for BA122 that show adequate “A” inventory. Give them those dates and ask which ones they can book. Based on my experience (and that of at least two other FTers), you will find that they cannot book most of those dates. If they can reserve one, grab it and build your itinerary around it.

Despite frustrations about the booking process, the BA-MRU office is extremely good about responding to e-mails within a day. Sam, I have PMed you with an e-mail contact.