Comments request on ex-MRU rtw
 

I am planning the following RTW from MRU in A class. I would appreciate any comments, especially ways to improve mileage or visit more interesting places.


mru-lhr-gig-scl-ipc-scl-gig-mia-anc-dfw-jfk-yvr-lax
lax-jfk (buy separately)
jfk-syd-ayq-syd-akl-syd-jnb-mru


In the above GIG, IPC, and JFK are obligatory, and I do want to get to GIG at the beginning of this trip.

No MIA-ANC; must be MIA-DFW-ANC; and the only way to go YVR-LAX is on the seasonal QF YVR-SFO then SFO-LAX. If you do all of the above you're over the max segment count (total and N. America both.)

Several initial thoughts:
You only have 19 segments so you can add one more. You do not have any segments in Europe so why not a long haul (e.g. RT toDXB) there and drop one of the NA ones.
In any case, you cannot fly YVR-LAX because AS is not permitted on a ONE ticket. Why not do YVR-SFO on QF instead?
You could have a longer and more interesting itinerary in SWP, instead of two RT. How about SYD-AKL-ADL-PER-SYD and purchase a AYQ RT from ADL or SYD.

That was my initial reaction also but then checking the OW timetable I see that (e.g., tomorrow) there is AA278 which flies MIA-ANC.

Only through the first part of June. Counting on those through-flights very far out is risky business. Some of them are great for BA tier point hunters if they can be bought on KUP fares.

MIA-ANC is in the schedule until June 13.
See, e.g., this thread and this thread.

Sorry to bore the regulars, but I have to jump in and answer the "destinations" component of OP's question with "although you don't include JNB, if you have any interest in wildlife check out Kruger National Park to see if it interests you."

Since I'm always hooting about the place I'd better point out that I have no ties to it.

I'm considering Kruger for the fall but until this week was leaning more toward flying JNB-NBO-JNB on Kenya Airways for an East Africa Safari. I guess one can fly SA instead.

Big difference in "mood" between the two, if you haven't been there/done that. Kruger was set up for local families to go out to the park and hang out with the animals, which (except for spotted cats) all but jump in your lap. It's very do-it-yourself, relatively inexpensive (although they've discovered "tourists"). East Africa is still Great White Hunter territory - without a guide, the animals are spots in the distance, and boy do they get excited when you point things at them, even telephoto lenses.