JohnK said:
Have not decided where I will go but I think, obviously, BKK and HKG would be on the agenda. In the US a choice of Hawaii, LA, Seattle, Vancouver, Las Vegas.
Half the fun will be in working out the itinerary.
I know you're probably set on oneworld (for QF lifetime goals), but for the star alliance fans out there, I'll throw this into the fire.
If one had a bit of time (or at least 10days), you could fly Aust East Coast e.g. MEL-SIN-CMB (SQ - return) for around $900+ (taxes) (W Class), or (B Class) for $1450+.
Then you could pick up a United D Class fare ex. CMB travelling business class CMB-BKK-NRT-HNL (Thai & UA) or CMB-SIN-HKG-NRT-HNL (SQ & UA), then first class HNL-SFO-LAX-SEA-SAN (on a 2-class plane). This is a 1 year ticket allowing unlimited stop-overs, costing Aus$2600 including all taxes (at July 2005 - and you'll have to check if it's still available).
Because the domestic US sectors are in first class, the first COS (class of service) bonus applies giving some hefty mileage accrual.
Roughly speaking, from these two flights costing around Aus$4,000, one could easily gain AC middle status (star gold - allowing for lounge entry, priority boarding/ check-in, extra baggage allowance etc) and UA mid status, and either attain or come very close to mid status on NH, SQ, LH etc, depending on the Aus SQ ticket purchased.
Just a sidenote that there are other options out there delivering great returns other than OneWorld RTW, Circle Pacific fares etc.
If anyone is interested in more information/ details relating to the above, go to the FT *A forum and search Colombo 8) .