Originally Posted by
Dr. HFH
Well, perhaps, but 1) isn't it measurably less costly for you to get to and from MRU at the start and end of your trip than NRT? And, 2) with the cost savings of ex-MRU AONE4 versus ex-NRT AONE3, wouldn't the price difference pay for a good amount of your land costs for the trip? Also, if using ex-MRU, you can stop in London on the way back and not go continue on to MRU at all until you're ready to start your next AONEx trip (within one year, of course). Just my 2¢.
Building on this, even if you don't want to visit Africa, a DONE4 exMRU is US$4808+, a DONE3 exNRT is US$5406+. And the miles you need to use to fly to MRU should be less (not to mention the possibility of buying a ticket using Air Mauritius or another carrier from EUR). You wouldn't have to worry about the 2 stopovers in the continent of origin rule either. Downside is the BA fuel surcharges you will have pay in MRU and the new MRU ticketing fee (compared to buying with AA in Japan).
As for an AONE, an AONE4 exMRU is £2874+ or US$5614(lately it seems the actual cost is ~US$7000, with stops in LHR), AONE3 exNRT £4029+, AONE3 exDOH £3654+, AONE3 exTPE £4223+, AONE4 exJNB £3717.