Planning a 2026 RTW itinerary via BA and VA reward flights – Any tips?

[robfly]

Hi all

I just retired today! Looking at piecing together as much of a RTW itinerary as availability dictates, for me and my wife in the first half of 2026, that gets us as much as possible from London, UK to Sydney, Australia and back in Club/Upper Class for longer legs. I have 1 BA Amex Companion Voucher, 2 VA Companion Vouchers and VA Gold status (at the moment, due to status match offer last Nov). Happy to mix and match with cash fares/Economy for shorter legs.

Considering a variety of routes and just looking for ideas / other people’s success stories at the moment.

Obviously BA LHR-SYD Club reward flights are virtually non existent.

Availability generally very good: LHR- BLR on the way out (VA) and SFO or LAX -LHR on way back. I get stuck finding anything across the Southern hemisphere to from Australia using companion voucher eligible flights on BA or VA ?

Or is this a crazy idea combining reward and cash legs?

Thanks

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

BA 2-4-1 can only be used on BA, EI and IB metal.

You won’t be able to have reward and cash tickets on the same booking but given you’ll be spending time in adestination between flights gavibng separate bookings shoulsn’t be a major issue.