I am looking at buying a F CP fare. Routing would likely be YVR-LAX-AKL-SIN-HKG-YVR. The reason for purchasing the fare is twofold. It is half the price of YVR-LAX-AKL return, and it will come close to re-qualifying me for AC Elite status.

The rules dictate 3 stopovers of 24 hour min. AKL is no prob as it is my destination. I have family in SIN. My wife's reward flight for the YVR-LAX-AKL has a 22.50 hour stopover in LAX on the way down.
If I was to fly the same flights as her heading to AKL, will they hold me to the 24 hours in LAX or will 22.50 hours suffice?

If your wife is on a reward, I presume you are parting ways at AKL with her returning direct, and you returning via SIN/HKG ? If my assumption is correct, then I may have an solution for you.
Unless you get an agent that has a shocker, I think you would have trouble getting the ticket issued in the first place not having the min 3 stopovers (@ 24hrs+) in place on the itinerary.
My very easy solution (and one that may in fact push you over Elite, given your statement that the miles on the current itinerary will go close to getting you there) is to have a one night stay in SYD on the way to SIN from AKL. It would be the 3rd legal stopover, as well as giving you extra mileage and also gives you a chance to try flying TG in F between AKL-SYD if you so desired. Alternately, you can get even more miles by routing AKL-MEL-SIN, There are far worse cities in the world to spend 27 hours in than Melbourne !!

For that matter, although time and other constraints may not allow you to do so, there is a heap of opportunity to accrue more mileage on this itin past AKL to get you closer to (or over into) Elite. You have 26,000 miles to play with, yet routing via MEL even will still only get you 20,951 approx. If you've got the couple of extra days, then getting miles in on this fare saves you time and money by not having to do any more runs when you get back home to get into Elite status on AC.
Cheers.

[This message has been edited by Al B (edited 09-06-2003).]

Thanks Al B. Your first assumption is correct. I am new at to these fares and trying to maximise miles. Typically I have flown from A to B as quickly and comfortable a s possible with as few stops as possible.
Since becoming an FTer I am learning the advantages of maximising the miles. I will tinker with my route to maximise the miles earned. An extra 24 hours or so on the trip will be fine.