Help deciding between 1W and * RTW
 

Hi all,

I am planning a RTW. I did a LONE4 last year on 1W before I discovered flyertalk and just would like to check my thinking with you guys. I’ve spent several hours searching past threads, but I’m sure there’s a lot that I still don’t know, so I apologize in advance if these questions have been answered already. I also apologize for the dense nature of this as well. (I also posted this in *A forum as well).

My basic requirements would be to start in London, then DEL-BKK-HNL-SFO-NYC-LON. I’d like to take a full year to do this (taking an extended sabbatical before grad school in 2006). I’d like to fly economy as I’ll need to save $ going back to student life. Another option that I was considering is getting a cheap flight from LHR-DEL and then getting a business class RTW from there, but not sure that it’d be worth the extra ~$2000. (I'd be appreciative for creative solutions here, however)

Some relevant bits of info:

I am an AA Platinum, (was EXP for 3 yrs, all before discovering FT, but didn’t requalify last year, in part because I didn’t know that LONE does not allow any mileage accrual on CX or QF!)

I have no status on *Alliance.

Despite that, I’m currently thinking that using Star Alliance will be better for me because:
· 1W will not allow any mileage accrual on CX or QF for economy
· I can fly to HNL from Japan, rather than having to go down to SYD (HNL is a must to visit family)
· A * alliance ticket is less expensive than a 1W four continent

Since the * ticket is priced according to miles, I was going to add some segments to visit family in the States, so thinking something more like this:

LHR-MUC/FRA/VIE-DEL-SIN-BKK-HKG-NRT-HNL-LAX-SFO-SEA-GEG-DEN-ORD-LGA//JFK-LHR

This is under the 29K threshold.

Let me confirm that all these segments would allow me to accrue miles? (couldn’t find anything to the contrary)
If I did a status match with UA or US, then all domestic (plus ANA if I take that) would be eligible for 100% bonus

But as it will go, I don’t think I will fly 25K this calendar year, nonetheless, do you think I’d be worth using a status match to get lounge access and 100% bonuses on the US portion of the itinerary? I’m thinking yes.

Does UA or USair do the parachute for status matches?

If I did a 1W, it would be something like:

LHR-DEL//BOM-BKK-HKG-NRT-MEL-AUK-SYD-HNL-SFO-LAX-DEN-ORD-NYC-LON

The BA LHR-DEL would accrue 25% + 100% Elite Bonus
All Asian segments on CX would not be eligible for mileage accrual
I could get SYD-HNL booked as the codeshare AA flight and hence get 100% + 100%
All domestic (including JFK-LON) would accrue 100% elite bonus

And I only will have flown about 10K miles on AA before I leave on my trip at the end of next month, and unless I pony up and buy a Bus. Class ticket, I will not fly enough to re-qualify for Plat. But with the ‘parachute’ approach, AA will drop me down to Gold anyway.

To sum:

I wanted confirmation that:
· You all think that going with * is better for me. Or are there other considerations that I am missing?
· I also think I should do a status match. Is USair better because of the unlimited upgrades? Are the segments in the RTW ticket eligible for the free upgrades (1W not allowed to use stickers)?
· Would there be anyway to justfiy the RTW in business from India?

In any case, I appreciate the help on this. Thanks for the thoughts/advice.

Keep in mind for oneworld there's also the Global Explorer fare available, which is mileage based. Whilst it still doesn't get around the lack of direct flights to HNL, you do have the option to go NRT-NAN-HNL on Air Pacific, which still earns you miles on AA (unfortunately not status miles though as far as I'm aware). 29,000 miles from the UK costs the same as a LONE4 - but it's another alternative at least.

Keep in mind that since last year the rules regarding L class on Qantas have changed as well, and they do now accrue miles again on AA too - so it's only CX that remains an issue.