It seems that the best solution to the problem I posed at the outset of this thread is to start the RTW from Europe (France) and not from Canada. First, the RTW fares from Europe are cheaper than from Canada. As I am buying a four continent RTW, in US dollar terms the Canadian price is $5316, while the French price is $4411. Second, at this time of year, and given that I will be away for more than 30 days, promotional GIG/JFK/YYZ/JFK/GIG and GIG/JFK/CDG/JFK/GIG fares are virtually the same, at the US$1100 level. Even using the cheapest bucket shops and discount fares I could find this price goes down by only about $100 and VIPOWs either become unusable (because airlines other than AA are involved) or more of them are required (because separate tickets are issued for each round trip). Using this ticketing scheme, I get to stop in the US on both legs of the GIG/CDG/GIG trip, and the RTW from Paris allows even more stops in the US. I get the stops I want in North America and the total price works out to be about US$2000 less than the five continent business rtw fare from South America of US$7500 (although one would have to factor in the value of the VIPOW used to upgrade the promotional fare from GIG to Europe, about $500, bringing the savings down to US$1500).

I would be grateful to hear opinions and suggestions on the above. I still have a day or two to issue the ticket.