FT,

I've done a fair number of RTWs, and I'm planning another one. Your advice on the suitability of the plan below is much appreciated.

It would start in Asia (HKG/NRT/TPE, choice to be decided on your input), and I'd like to squeeze a trip to ICN. Clearly, I can't do NRT-ICN on OW (right?) so I'm stuck flying from HKG direct or on the CX 1-stop in TPE (there was one once, I think it is still there). But, if I can't squeeze ICN, I can drop it. So here it goes:

Start (Asia): HKG-ICN-HKG or NRT-HKG-ICN-HKG or TPE-ICN-TPE-HKG or some such combo, all in CX

Asia-Europe: HKG-LHR in BA/CX

Europe: LHR-ARN-LHR (For the Nobel ceremony) in BA

Transatlantic: LHR-BOS in AA or BA

NA: BOS-DFW-GDL-DFW-BOS-{JFK/DFW/ORD} all in AA

Transpac: {JFK/DFW/ORD}-NRT-{HKG/TPE} in AA and then CX if not originating in NRT

To save money, I'd run a LONE3 and upgrade using VIPs or CX Asiamiles (depending on segment), but I'd like to get your comment on the mileage earning possibilities:

Does L earn AA miles in AA metal? Q-points?
Does L earn CX miles in CX metal? MPC Tier Miles?
Does L earn AA miles in CX metal? Q-points?

If the mile-earning possibilities are dim, I'd buy a DONE3 and be DONE with it.

Thank you for your consideration and comment

If you want to go to ICN I don't think you can start in HKG - because you can't do HKG-ICN-HKG - your trip is over once you return to the city of origin - so you can't return to HKG. Likewise you can't do TPE-ICN-TPE-....

1. Yes. Yes - 50%.
2. Yes. Yes - 100%.
3. No. No.

Best to buy DONE3 and be DONE with it.

As of April 3, 04, L fares on AA earn 100% q-points with Aadvantage. Look here.

It's not whose metal it is, it's whose flight number you book it under that's important. For example you can get AA miles on some of the CX flights by booking the AA codeshare, and similarly one LHR-ARN flight each day carries a CX code. I'm not sure though how easy it is to book some of those codeshares on a LONEx.

I thought the prize comes with 2 x FC tickets to ARN???

Actually, you could start in HKG and visit ICN, though it gets a bit ugly: After the HKG-ICN leg, you can do ICN-TPE-NRT on CX, and then of course NRT is a reasonable gateway to Europe, N. America, or Oz.

Pickles, if you don't already have the OW timetable, I'd encourage to download it. I find it an indispensable tool in planning OW RTWs and award trips.

Thanks for your input so far. I guess I have to start from NRT if I want the ICN side trip.

Maybe I'll use my CX number on the CX flights, and my AA number on the AA flights. Since they are all clustered (CX up to London, AA for the rest), I could switch FF numbers halfway through. I'll have to "throw away" the LHR-ARN-LHR segments in terms of earning miles, but its not a lot.

Also, my co-author and I flipped a coin, and he won, so he got the free tickets and I'm stuck footing my own bill (well not really me, but not the Jan Wallanders och Tom Hedelius� Stiftelse, who's flying my co-author in).

Why? Do you have confirmation that you can't book it under the CX code and get AsiaMiles?

I was very intrigued by this, so googled. I've learned that Wallanders and Hedelius are two researchers who wrote "Why Do Countries Grow at Different Rates?". Forgive me, then I have problems dotting the dots. Did these people set up a foundation to help pay airfare for people attending the Nobel ceremonies?

No, don't even have reservations! But if I can, I certainly will.

My earlier post ( 2 or 3 above this one) had a major typo. I'd originally said "you could start in HKG and visit TPE," but I meant to say (and have now corrected the post to say) "you could start in HKG and visit ICN." (Details in the post.)

In a word, yes. They (and others, including, of course, the Nobelstiftelsen, SNS, ECGI, etc.) fund the symposia and events around the ceremonies, ranging from flying the laureates in, to putting them up at the Grand, to assigning them protocol staff, limo drivers, and making sure the other symposium and lecture presenters, friends, family, and assorted VIP rubberneckers and hangers-on are well taken care of. They will also help you rent the smoking jacket, if needed.

I'm got the penultimate question.

Are you a Nobel prize winner?

I'm going to fall flat on my face in humiliation no matter what your answer is, as it is likely completely obvious to everyone but me.

Creative indeed, starting in HKG, and then roundabout to NRT. However, if I want to head to Europe, that leaves me with Finnair or BA (does Finnair fly to NRT?). How's the AA mileage earning on BA or Finnair, on an L fare? Not very good, I gather?

Thanks for the timetable tip.