Well it’s just past halfway thru the qualifying year and I’m seriously considering an abrupt change in FFP strategy. I had planned on reaching UA 1K this year, but having just flown two extremely underwhelming flights on UA, those 6 SWUs really don’t have the same attraction anymore.

So this is now turning into serious thoughts of a big switch to oneworld. I’ll definitely continue to fly enough SQ to maintain PPS/Star Gold as my main FFP, but given that a single OWE RTW (I average 1-2 each year) will more-or-less secure top tier OW status, it’s time for some diversification.

That said, I haven’t flown on a OW carrier in over three years now, so I’m gonna need some help/advice in getting this right. To kick this off, I’ll probably do my next RTW on OW and hopefully get to QF Platinum ASAP.
[Logic: rolling 12-month qualifying year so getting status early means benefits for almost 2 years; more liberal with op upgrades than BA/CX/SQ(??). Thought of AA, but I don’t see this as a big step up over UA, which I’m abandoning...]

Specific questions:
-- Can QF Platinum be reached using a 3 continent business class OWE, ex-Asia?
-- Where’s the cheapest/best country in Asia or the SW Pacific to buy a 3 or 4 continent OWE??
-- Can the AY/QF BKK-SIN-BKK codeshare be ticketed on QF at discounted biz prices?
-- My other concern from reading this forum is that AA RTW desk seems to be the only competent authority to book/change OWEs – is this really true? Can QF in SIN or Australia handle these competently?
-- Also, how will QF Platinum service compare with SQ PPS in terms of securing awards and mileage upgrades? (As a SIN-based PPS, I’ve found SQ to be extremely accommodating, even calling yield management to secure me an upgraded seat on a full flight!)

Appreciate helpful suggestions, or advice on any holes in my logic.

Many thanks in advance!

You would have to buy an extra segment in D and use it wisely (looks like 1360 points are highest possible for 3 continents and this is only with careful routing). Easily reached in F though. QF and CX are both fine for their RTW desks, BA is pathetic (they contract the work out in NA), AA is the best but no need to use them. Once the ticket is issued any Oneworld airline can make changes and re-issue (even if they are not flying a segment on the ticket, though they are not keen to do this work). BA is the best for reissuing, particularly for segments flown on BA (fast, fair, competent, unlike their reservations on the 800 number).
AA is the opposite (most AA ticket counters go into shock at seeing a RTW ticket and have trouble pulling the coupon, much less rewriting it, while the 800 number is *superb*).
QF is stingy with op-upgrades, don't expect too much (even as Plat). Award availability is tough on QF, partly high demand and partly policy. Much better if you are QF Plat but it can still be tough (much better for single seats within 2 weeks of departure date, and close to a sure thing within 48 hours of departure, but some people aren't so flexible in booking awards). Because of this there are often empty F seats on high-demand QF routes (and hundreds of denied requests for those seats); it does make it easy to get a paid F seat on QF, I have often changed flights less than a day before and the seat is available (no status required, just money). AA by contrast is sold out in 3-class trans-cons (filled with upgrades and awards) making last-minute paid for tickets impossible to get on those flights (at least not in P). At first I thought the QF policy was unfair, but now I like it. The big benefit of Plat on QF is irregular operation (rather important if you can't afford to be stranded for a day).