Open segments => paper ticket?
 

I'm booking an AONEWC4 through Harare (still getting great service from them) and they tell me that if I leave any segments open they cannot issue an e-ticket. I prefer an e-ticket since it will save me having to go into Harare to pick up a paper ticket and I can just do a quick turnaround at HRE.

It's not a big deal since changes are free, but is this a general rule?

IF you want all e-tix.

Book an <16 segment RTW, with first 5 fully booked remainder just dummy connections, roughly hitting your route.

Having flown the first 4 or more segments, change itinerary and reissue for the remaining segments.

Allows you to stay e-tix and do the full 20 segments (albeit costs you one reissue fee)

I've never understood this - although I haven't yet done it with a OWE, I have had other sorts of e-tickets from CX with open segments, so it is certainly possible for at least some airline systems to deal with that.

I've had open segments on a BA issued xONE3 e-tix.

I THINK it depends on how the OPEN segments are inputted into the PNR when the ticketing is done.

OPEN segments can be inputted either with or without a date, and I THINK that in order for the OPEN segment to be e-ticketed, it must have a date associated with it.