Thanks again for the further info. I need to depart on 27th November so I'm not sure I can utilise the SFO-YVR flight (dammit) unless they are already operating the winter service by then (I think it starts 1 Dec).

Now the CX transcon flight to JFK. I was under the impression you had to be inbound from HKG and transitting only in YVR to be able to catch that - am I wrong?

I know I'm leaving segments on the table - I'm gutted! But the reality is I have to fit about 4 weeks work into the 3 weeks I'm away and much as I'd love to make a few MR's - I'm also keen to have a job when I get back.

I have to do it again in 6months so hopefully a bit more time to plan. The reality however is that my work is all Canada and (South) Africa at the moment and OneWorld is so limited to both of those that I might (insert swear and curse here) have to consider StarAlliance.