I posted this in the AA forum, but I think based on the input of others that it may be better suited for this forum. I will reproduce my first post with some modifications.

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So this may be quasi-complicated.

I have tickets on hold for a friend to go around the world on 3 separate PNRs.

PNR 1: SJC-BKK (via NRT) - the SJC-NRT is a 1.0pt/mi fare
the SJC-BKK is a JAL flight but if I price it as an AA codeshare, fare goes up astronomically. So would I get any miles or points for the challenge if I left it as a JAL flight or am I better off booking that leg on United for the same fare and at least getting full Mileage Plus miles? (booking code AA W class - price $424)

PNR2: BKK-CDG (via LHR) and CDG-JFK on AA. I know I will get 1.0 pt/mi for the CDG-JFK. The BKK-CDG is BKK-LHR on Qantas and LHR-CDG on BA. I can book these two as both Qantas flights (1 operated 1 codeshare, both BA flights (1 operated 1 codeshare) or half and half. Which would be better from a q-point perspective. It says on AA's website that you get 1 pt/mi but only 50 percent mileage for an M fare on Qantas. Same deal but 25% mileage on BA. I am assuming Qantas is better. How many points for the challenge will I earn? (booking code Qantas M - price $777)

PNR3: JFK-SJC on AA - I know I will get .5 pts/mi on this piece - no questions here. (booking code - deep-discount economy $144)

So in addition to the questions I listed, I want to basically try to get my friend to 10,000 q-points by the time of his Paris trip if possible so he can use lounges and maybe pay a small amount for 500s to upgrade JFK-SJC. What suggestions do you have? Is this possible?

So I have been told to make all the flights Qantas coded if choosing between BA and Qantas - I have done that.

My next question - this whole thing adds up to $1346 - is that a good fare? I have also listed the piecewise fares - are the piecewise fares good fares? Any idea how I might be able to maximize q-points (even with the Qantas codes on PNR2, I am still stuck with only slightly more than 3000 q-miles and points for BKK-CDG) One reason I ask this is because my friend will get the Platinum, but I was trying to figure out a way for him to do it prior to the CDG-JFK so that he could use the OW lounges.

Also, I checked into Cathay for the first PNR instead of JAL, and that won't work price wise.

Any suggestions you have would be wonderful.

Thank you very much.