I would like to do a ICN-HKG-LHR-xJNB-DUR-JNB trip on CX/BA in First or Business. From JNB I am continuing to SEZ-MRU-BOM..etc. Given the high fares of the regular first and business class tickets, I was considering buying a OWE or (Global Explorer) ticket for this trip. Since I will have to finish my trip in ICN, what is best way to route the JNB-ICN return to make it as inexpensive as possible? Thanks in advance.

If you are buying a RTW product (OWE or GE) then the JNB-ICN is included in the price as the rest of the ticket (though the mileage based fares might be severely stressed). For the OWE product you'd have to do it eastbound, flying ICN-HKG-JFK-LHR-JNB-HKG-ICN for example (adding the rest of the 20 segments as appropriate). You cannot do it westbound due to the restriction on entering Europe a 2nd time (i.e. LHR-JNB-LHR is prohibited on OWE tickets).

Of course this route isn't an RTW - you don't cross either the Pacific or Atlantic.

You might look at a "Circle Indian Ocean" fare - as of last year, a business class 3-continent "DONEWCX" was a bit cheaper than a 4-continent DONE4 RTW is now (ex-Korea) but that may have changed. Aside from basic return fares (or openjaw or point-to-point ones) the Oneworld Explorer might be cost-effective, but you can't get everywhere you want - for the moment MRU is a "dead-end" - no intra-Africa routes (yet) approved; and no OW service to the Seychelles from anywhere AFAIK.

You could make the RTW work by going ICN-HKG- North America - LHR-JNB-DUR-JNB, then JNB-MRU either on your own or as part of the RTW - BA is supposedly going to serve MRU from JNB starting sometime this year. From MRU, buy a separate ticket to SEZ and back, then MRU-JNB-HKG-BOM-HKG-ICN.

So, say you pick JFK as your NA city, it would be ICN-HKG-JFK-LHR-JNB-DUR-JNB-[MRU-(SEZ)-JNB]-HKG-BOM-HKG-ICN.

Maybe others have better ideas.

Thanks for the great advice! It appears that the 3 continent Circle Trip Explorer Fare (AONEWC3/DONEWC3) seems to be the best answer for this itinerary! I had a related question: what is the best way to book or buy these tickets for trips originating in JKT or ICN? Can I buy it in the US or does it have to be issued in the country of origin? Can the AA, BA or CX RTW desks issue these tickets? Do you have their phone numbers? Thanks all again in advance for the valuable advice/information.

Since you'd be starting the circle in Korea, you'd have to be ticketed and originate there too. CX would be your first carrier, so try phoning CX in the US and telling them what you want - they may or may not be familiar with the product, but if they are they ought to be able to arrange the booking for you to collect (and pay for) in ICN.

Otherwise I googled TAs in Korea and found one - http://www.xanadu.co.kr/ - that has RTW info on their website, which bodes well for capability of arranging circle trips too.

Do confirm the price before you get too excited though - a RTW might still be cheaper.