Hey, I am new here for just few days and found FT extremely helpful and brainstorming. All of a sudden I changed in a different mindset (I had a similar experience before but on 'Networking', so I noticed it right after)

I am now studying wine in France. At the very beginning I was just planning to find a cheap flight to fly back home in China and get back for my school in September. Thanks for all your guides, I changed into planning a at-least 3 continents travel (including joining a friend's wedding in Charlotte, NC) and explore for my summer.

For the past week, I was searching on OneWorld system, because I am trying to punch the AA Platinum at the end of the trip. However, going throw several posts here on FT, I observed that fellow FTers may have some other options.

So I am here to ask for suggestions and advice, for my trip, from France-US-Asia-France. Should I keep working on OneWorld, and try to bit for the best price (what I now have is around $3K)? or should I look for an agent or any other options?

Really appreciate your time and help!

www.staralliance.com have a distance based RTW, as does OneWorld. OneWorld also has *ONE* continent based RTW of various types. These all have a fixed base price, with add ons for the taxes and charges that are route/carrier dependant.

You can make your own RTW by point to point. For just 3 stops may be the best. Go and visit a a travel agent