There are SO many ways to do trips like this. We've done 3 One World redemptions in F- such good value, but the fourth got scuttled by the pandemic. Fabulous little add-ons for very few points (or low cost cash flights) add local and connecting flights not available on OW awards. One of best was a paid 'companion" QF business fare MEL-HNL, LAX -MEL, effectively 2 for 1. And got us status credits.
We then paid HNL-OGG (stop)-SEA on Hawaiian in W - 6hrs OGG-SEA in total comfort for MEL-SYD prices, SEA-ANC on Delta Y, and then a combo of ferries, one way rental cars and short local flights to LAX (SFO-Lax was a very low cost redemption on QF points), over 6 weeks.
Get creative! Reward seats are the most difficult to leave and return to Australia. Once out of here, it's not that hard to get around on points, or a combo including cheap flights, and always look out for unusual routes - we once went MEL-HKG-JNB-LHR and had this amazing safari experience at no extra airfare, and our 'RTW' 4 was MEL-SIN-DIA-HEL-DUB-ORD-HND-MEL - yes, up to Scandinavia for a Norwegian ferry trip, via the Middle East, then to Ireland, across to the USA, back to Japan, then home - QF,BA,Qatar,Finnnair,JAL. This all fitted into the OW rules, all in F. July 2020 - never happened of course.The biggest limiter sometimes is baggage weights when looking at fill-in connectors- but why drag too much stuff around!
Oh, and talk to AFF rewards assistance on how to create these gems. Don't expect to create it all in one sitting. Start it, and just expect to pay change fees (less than $100) as seats open up 350 or so days ahead.
