OK, OK. I'm dipping my toes into the warm waters. I'm off to MRU shortly anyway and decided to take advantage of the low *ONE* tickets.

My BAEC membership year ends in the middle of this trip, and I 'should' have collected enough points with the AONE4 & other travel to retain for the next couple of years.

What do you think of this routing for my proposed AONE4 ex-MRU?

1: MRU-LHR: intercontinental - 180TP

2: LHR-DXB: 1st of 4 (Europe) - 180TP
3: DXB-BAH: 2nd of 4 (Europe) - 60TP
4: BAH-DOH: 3rd of 4 (Europe) - 180TP (a BA Fifth Freedom flight)
[DOH-BAH: paid for separately] - 180TP (ditto)
5: BAH-LHR: 4th of 4 (Europe) - 180 TP

6: LHR-SFO: intercontinental - 180TP

[SFO-LAX: paid for separately]
7: LAX-SJU: 1st of 1 (North America Transcon) - 180TP
*7: LAX-SJU: 1st of 6 (North America)
8: SJU-ANU: 2nd of 6 (North America) - 60TP
9: ANU-UVF: 3rd of 6 (North America) - 180TP (a BA Fifth Freedom flight)
[UVF-ANU: paid for separately] - 180TP (ditto)
10: ANU-SJU: 4th of 6 (North America) - 180TP
11: SJU-ORD: 5th of 6 (North America) - 180TP
[ORD-LHR: redemption/paid for separetly]
12: ORD-HNL: 6th of 6 (North America) - 180TP

13: HNL-SYD: intercontinental - 180TP

14: SYD-PER: 1st of 4 (Southwest Pacific) - 180TP
15: PER-AYQ: 2nd of 4 (Southwest Pacific) - 60TP
16: AYQ-MEL: 3rd of 4 (Southwest Pacific) - 60TP
17: MEL-SYD: 4th of 4 (Southwest Pacific) - 60TP

18: SYD-JNB: intercontinental - 180TP

19: JNB-CPT: 1st of 4 (Africa) - 60TP
[CPT-JNB: paid for separately]
20: JNB-MRU: 2nd of 4 (Africa) - 60TP

Looks fine for routing. Though HNL-SYD is a huge waste on an AONEx, as HNL-SYD not only doesn't have A but has a very sub-standard J (more like WT+). Much better off flying ORD-JFK-SYD instead (and buy ORD-HNL-ORD if you really must get to HNL, though it is pretty disappointing as a holiday destination; lots of nice places in Hawaii, but HNL is not one of them).

I like your suggestion! Didn't realise I could fly JFK to SYD--and w/ QF as well I see!

[Not directed to OP] Agree 100% but I also know that no matter how many times you say that, people who have never been to Hawaii will go on thinking you MUST be wrong. I have been to HNL about six times; once because I wanted to (the first time), the other five just to take five different family members, who would simply not accept my advice to choose a better place. Now I don't even try.

Me too. I liked it. Definitely want to go back. But in retrospect, I think my itinerary was getting busy on that part of the trip. I can do that another time on a YUP (although I've not seen many good YUP/KUP fares there recently). I really like the JFK-SYD option in First!

It is hard to get -- often sells out in paid F, never mind in A, at certain times of the year (month-end, quarter-end). A great flight, often late but not any worse than other JFK flights, and with good QF service (and a lot of tier points due to the distance). The stop in LAX is pretty nice for breaking the flight (the trick is to under no circumstances sleep on the JFK-LAX sector!).

I think the route is OK, but your tier point calculations are off. For instance, LAX-SJU books into D, not A, so you get correspondingly fewer tier points. The same goes for SJU-ANU-SJU-ORD. There is no first class on domestic Australian or intra-African routes either, so it's all D class there.

If you're on an AONEx, I too would suggest flying JFK-SYD rather than going via HNL. I haven't been to Hawaii yet, definitely want to go, but somehow never end up doing it on my RTWs.

Edited to add: what oneworld airline flies DXB-BAH though? BA does the BAH-DOH-BAH and AUH-MCT-AUH trips, but I can't recall any DXB-BAH flights. The RTW Validator seems to think these flights exist though, so you could be OK.

I've never had a problem with A seats on this flight, at least when planning in advance. In my experience, Qantas has great A availability.

CX

How do you get 60 TP on CX?

By flying a sector of less than 2000 miles in F.

Except that you won't find any F on that sector - only Y or J.

With regards to your flights with Qantas/QantasLink -

• PER-AYQ: as you will probably know, this flight is operated by QantasLink with the all-Economy configured 717-200. If you do decide to keep this sector, make sure you sit towards the front, as pitch is 32" (31" on other QF planes and at the back of the 717). QantasLink has great crews and I am sure you will enjoy your flight.
• SYD-PER: if time/schedule permits, choose a flight operated by the 747-300 (thrice daily SYD-PER 743 flights some days). This aircraft features Dreamtime seats, PTVs and mood lighting (can also sit in J in Zone A on the 743!). Also, look out for flights that are operated by the A330-300 (1-2 week; check Qantas.com Timetables). This aircraft features QF's Skybed J product, AVOD IFE and an inflight snack/drink bar. Make sure you steer well away from the 737-400 (has convertible seats).
• SYD-JNB: just to let you know, F is not available on Friday departures from Sydney (operated by 2-Class 747-400s).
• HNL-SYD: as has been mentioned, F is not offered on this service.

Just a few things to consider...

Cheers

Also remember your flights booked into D (i.e. QF domestic) will only get J TP's not F.

Are surface sectors OK in the continent of origin? IIRC, the rule there is stopover-based (up to 2) ... can a stopover, for this purpose, include a change of location?

If so, it may be something I want to bear in mind for future plans