Yes, I Need Some Help With an AONE5 Itinerary
 

I used the Mileage Monkey at http://jph.bytestacker.com/award.htm to validate the following proposed itinerary, but I still don't think it's a valid itinerary:

SBA-xLAX-xHKG-oBKK-oSYD-oBKK-xHKG-oMNL-oHKG-oJNB-oCPT-oLHR-oCAI-xLHR-oLIS-oLHR-oLAX-oNYC-oORD-xLAX-oSBA

Similarly:

BKK-oSYD-oSIN-xHKG-oMNL-oHKG-oJNB-oCPT-oLHR-oCAI-xLHR-oLIS-oLHR-oLAX-oNYC-oORD-oLAX-xHKG-oBKK

I am aware that the rules state only two stopovers in the continent of origin. Mileage Monkey (realizing it is not a perfect implimentation of the rules) seems to allow in excess of two when they occur following return to the continent of origin.

Do these itineraries actually work? Suggestions if not?

Thanks!

The return to the start point does not count as a stopover, but neither of these works because you enter Asia twice in each one.

There is a major bug in the itinerary validator.

In both cases the easiest way to fix the itinerary would seem to be to go <Asia>-SYD-JNB, though you need to take care to keep to 4 segments in Asia (and two stopovers for the ex-BKK ticket).

Am I correct that I can go back through Asia on the way to JNB if I connect , but do not stopover?

No, the only time you can have a second entry into Asia is if one of them is on a transit between Europe and SW Pacific.

In the past CX would also ticket a transit through HKG between SWP and N America, but there more recent versions of the rules have had commas inserted to make it clear that this is not allowed. You might be able to get it ticketed (particulrly by CX) but I doubt it.

Thanks. Looks like I'll have to fly QF from SYD to JNB. I'd have preferred CX.

QF 63 is a fun flight, though.

My only trivial comment on the first of the two itineraries above is that I sure wouldn't use ("waste?") 2 N. America segments of an AONEx on SBA-LAX-SBA.

I agree. One way car rentals work out great from SAN-LAX-SAN for me.

I spent some more time studying the rules. It appears that I can start in the U.S., fly to Asia, and then to Oz. From OZ, I can go back through Asia on a direct flight to Europe on the Kangaroo Express. From Europe I can fly to South Africa.

So far, so good.

How do I get from South Africa back to the U.S. within the rules since I presume I cannot go back through Europe (and am certain I cannot go back through Asia)?

E.g., LAX-oHKG-oSYD-xSIN-oLHR-oJNB - ??? -oLAX

Trying to avoid what I thought was a prohibition about going back through the origin city (or am I confusing it with Star Alliance rules?).

My latest itinerary, which seems to be ok, is:

SBA-xLAX-oJFK-xHKG-oBKK-xHKG-oMNL-oHKG-oSYD-oJNB-oCPT-oLHR-oCAI-xLHR-oCDG-xLHR-oLAX-oORD-xLAX-oSBA

Go to south africa between australia and europe ...-SYD-JNB-LHR-...

Er, no - you have three stopovers in your continent of origin (JFK, LAX, ORD). You are only allowed two.

And you can transit the origin point as well. Remember, too, that the rules allow the trip to end in any other city within the country of origin, or between the US and Canada.

You'll note that's how I currently have it planned. I would just prefer to go to Europe before Africa, and would prefer to avoid the SQ flight from SYD-JNB.

I was hoping there was another option, but it appears not.

Thanks. I've changed JFK to a connection.

Right, but that doesn't help me as I can't stopover in the origin point, which is what I want to do. I live in the LA area and am using the origination in SBA to avoid the stopover restriction. That allows me to add a domestic turn to my itinerary essentially following the RTW trip.