Darren, Thanks for the info--I'm planning on doing the platinum challenge (just the LAX-SYD flight will get me 10k points) so should be platinum by then, so it means 8,000 more miles.

Alls well that ends well on the reservation, I was waitlisted for the DLC sector yesterday but am now confirmed...

Two people i soke w/on the RTW desk assured me that there were no fuel-charge-implications for booking the codeshare or not...

best,

Shawn