Soon I will be booking my first DONEx ticket and would appreciate any advice. Have done a bit of reading and have the gist of info. I am not trying to maximize the number of stops/miles but simply want to travel from SEA to SYD (spend 3 weeks), then go on to FCO (actually Sicily for about 10 days) and then return to SEA. Am I correct that a DONEx will be (much) cheaper than simply booking business class?

One issue is that I will meet up with my wife in FCO (or Sicily) and we want to return together. She will probably try to book a business class award ticket for SEA-FCO-(Sicily)-SEA. Travel dates are late Sept with return in late October.

Thinking of the following: SEA-LAX(or SFO)-SYD-(possibly BNE)-HKG-FCO-ORD-SEA. LAX/SYD on QF, SYD/BNE-HKG-FCO on CX, FCO-ORD-SEA on AA. Not sure about the BNE stop. Also, carrier for FCO-CTA (Catania) to be determined.

Using EF, D class appears to be available on the dates I would like to travel.

Any advice/critique would be much appreciated.