How did you get on Gardyloo? I spoke to AA RTW desk this weekend and the guy was adamant that surface segments count as part of 20 segments once I re-issue the ticket even though the ticket was purchased back in August 2006.

I made the point that if I wanted to fly with JAL or Jordanian or Malev I would not be able to because I purchased the ticket before they were members. He agreed and I also made the point that if I went from a DONE4 to a DONE5 the additional cost would be calculated in the difference of prices between 4 and 5 at the country of origin, on the day it was purchased - he agreed again... (ie all this relates to the rules and prices as they stood when purchased)

So, why is this surface segment rule being implemented for a ticket that was purchased under the old rules, before this new rule change...

Another reason why this rule implementation does not work - what if I had already taken 10 flights with 10 surface segments in-between and had only traveled 2.25 continents on a XONE4 ?

Eg (believe me, I have not tried to rationalize this theoretical flight pattern)

BKK - HKG // NRT-LAX // SFO - JFK // YUL - MIA // MSY-DFW // MIA - JFK //
YVR - DFW // LAX-SAN // MIA - LHR // BCN -CAI //

I then look to do a re-issue for the 10 remaining flights - would this mean without being able to return from the point of the first flight, the rest of the ticket is now in-valid (if I was to re-issue) and goes in the bin even though all these 10 flights were flown before the rule change was even published????

I realize this may be just be one guy at AA getting it wrong but he did seem pretty clued up on it.

I am now dealing with Cathay who have ok'd the route (20 flown segments + surface segments) and will come back to me with the new taxes in the next day or two - so far...so good..