hi everyone!
I am planning on a 4 continent RTW on oneworld explorer economy starting next year in mid january. I am from Germany but wanna try to get the UK price which is about 500 € (775 US$) less than the german one. getting to london from my location and back in the end costs me no more than 75$ per leg, so it's well worth it, but we have to see how the booking online tool works out concerning prices.I would like to ask you for some experiences and advice on optimization.I have to add I have never been to any of the places before.


My planned route up to now is as follows (+questions I would like to ask you concerning these legs):

LHR (prefer CX in choice of BA,CX and QF or would you recommend one of the others? Heard CX might be best)

HKG (until end of may 09 for study,wanna go to TPE for a week from HKG seperately)

PVG (stay in Pudong, Shanghai for a one-month internship in june, so not variable also. Would you choose CX or Dragonair? Does CX add more cost than dragonair on this leg?)

NRT spend a few days in Tokyo (JAL only)

SIN spend a few days in Singapur also (JAL only)

BNE (QF only) pick up my girlfriend who will study in Brisbane while I am in HK and take the rest of the tour together with her, tour the OZ east coast from Brisbane

CHC (QF only)see the beautyful countryside of New Zealand

SYD (QF only) whatever happens,Sydney is a must see!

HNL (QF only)beach vacation for a week

SFO (AA only) see bay area and San Fransisco; road trip kind of tour to see more of california than "just" SF and LA, so surface sector to

LAX (AA only) see L.A. and area

STL (AA only) visit friends and relatives for 2 weeks

SXM (AA only) another beach vacation + one of the most exciting approaches/landings on earth

JFK (AA only) see NYC for a few days

YYZ (AA only) visit Niagra Falls, Lake Ontario, Toronto...

MIA (AA only) beach+city for a few days

LHR fly back to europe by end of september 09 (Should I better fly on BA or AA? I am planning to sign up for a miles program so I want to collect most miles and take the carrier cheaper on fuel surcharges, would that be AA?)

I know it sounds pretty much planned already but still I wanted to ask for any proposes on optimization or any advice on which carrier to take on which leg. Cheaper is better as I am a student but on long legs like LHR-HKG I would take the better service one.
Also if I forgot any very special place in Asia,Australia,NZ or USA/CA/Caribbean: I am open for any tips on visiting better places than I planned. I pretty much like both skylines and beaches/nature. HKG and PVG have to be like described, STL must be in it in the US sectors,but flexible in order with other US legs.

Thanks a lot in advance for any type of reply!