Thank you all for your help. Gardyloo's idea to book thru another airline seems to have worked, i.e, I opened a Skype a/c (so I can call 800#s), called AA RTW in middle of night in BKK (daytime in USA). The lady could access JNB-MRU-JNB and put it in my schedule. Now, theoretically, on Monday I go to local AA office in BKK and they can print re-routing. Thank you all for help.

Second question: I have two extra Asia segments that I want to use to get to HKG. Many suggested BOM. But I can't get on the flights. Someone else suggested Karachi. That works, but I don't have a Pakistan Visa and it looks like I would need one. I can't find any info on UAE website about not needing a Visa to transit and/or about visa on arrival. ANyone know about this?

Anyone have other ideas on how to get to HKG from BKK using Asian segments and maximizing miles? Tx.

It is the same issue with Europe. I will be in LHR (or GAT) with two unused segments. Dubai was suggested for a MR, but it is the same issue: I don't have a Dubai visa and can't find info about getting one on arrival or not needing one for transit.

Any other ideas on a two segment MR starting from LHR.

I can't thank you enough for your help.