Hi, I originally started a thread a few months back called Aussie Backpacker Done3 ex-Asia needs advice http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...197&highlight=

However, as I have been getting up to date on the current info on OWE fares I have decided to start in Africa, the price saving is enourmous, I want more flights in Asia, plus people have convinced me that I should climb Mt Kilimanjaro while I'm there. I have a relative giving me a Qantas flight to JNB on QF points to get me started.

I have questions about OWE, AAdvantage and in general about related things.

With the rule change 1st of June coming in, it's given me a deadline to get my act together and now I'm in a rush to book my ticket before the end of May.

This is now the definite route I wish to take. It hits everywhere I want to go, tries to avoid departure taxes at LHR, Ramadan in the Middle East and hot weather in India. Mileagemonkey gives me the green light except for SEA-SAN:

JNB-HKG-DEL-NRT-PEK-HKG-SFO-JFK-DFW-SEA-SAN-ORD-MIA-MAD-IST//CAI-BUD//HEL-xLHR-MRU-JNB

Other Info:

• I've only gone overseas twice, ever.
• I guess I'm actually flashpacking - in fact I'd be the quintessential flashpacker, going RTW in business class!
• Initial flight JNB-HKG will be on the 4th November 2008, last flight will be 12 months later.
• I will be booking via the AA ATW desk in Dallas and then passing the booking over to the AA GSA in Cape Town.
• I want to join AAdvantage and do the platinum challenge.
• Incidentally I will be doing tours with overland operators in India, Morocco, Western Europe and the Middle East. After my DONE4 I will do one in Africa, then use my accumulated points to get me to Asia and visit the countries I missed like Thailand, Vietnam, Phillippines and Taiwan. Or I could do a LONE4 and take in Sth America if I have enough money left

My Questions:

1. Is this really valid or too good to be true?
2. Will it be a major issue if I can't send a photocopy of my passport until first week of June?
3. With payment, can I pay via credit card in someone else's name, or can I do a transfer through some other method. Is it safer just to do it via CC and pay the 3% charge?
4. Once I'm in JNB do I really have to go CPT just to pickup the tickets or can they send them to me in JNB? What is a safe, affordable way to get to Mindpearl offices if I have to?
5. Is SEA-SAN valid for a DONE4?
6. Where can I go to find out the AA codeshare numbers if applicable for my flights? With BA and JAL not offering bonus miles I'd like to find codeshares possible for DEL-NRT, NRT-PEK and definitately for LHR-MRU and MRU-JNB.
7. Can I fly Qantas inside North America? On Qantas website they show flights from SFO or LAX to JFK but I don't know if that's just AA codeshares or Qantas metal....
8. I want to get my AAdvantage Platinum card/details sent to me when I'm on the road, as I guess it's better that way. Should I just get it airmailed from home, or get it sent out to me on the road?
9. Can I lock in the 20 segment booking prior to June 1st but not pay for it until sometime in June/July?
10. How do I apply for a chinese tourist visa if I don't have the actual paper ticket? Do I get the AA GSA in CPT to scan all the pages to me, or what? The visa requirements are to show proof of a departing flight. Can I apply from India or Hong Kong?
11. If I leave on the 4th Nov 08 does my last flight have to be the 3rd Nov 09 or the can it be the 4th Nov 09? Any tricks to stretching the ticket out longer than 12 months?
12. LHR being a transit and not a stopover reduces the departure taxes yes?
13. If I feel like I want to cut my time short at a certain location, how hard will it be to get a D flight to the next place on really short notice (next 3 days?) I don't fully understand the concept of standby honestly....

Thanks in Advance!