Lufthansa Pseudo RTW Fare

[soak01]

I have been looking at RTW tickets and found that the *A and OW tickets seem expensive for a limited stop itinerary.

I have however come across a couple of fares on a number of online travel sites which appear to be either LH or LX and a mixture of *A and OW airlines (i.e. AC, QF, UA, SQ, CX, TH) on restricted routes. For a price of around $AUD2300 (inc tax) it looks like I can fly SYD/YVR on AC, YVR/LHR (via FRA) on LH, LHR/SIN (via FRA or Munich) on LH and SIN/BNE on SQ.

Just wondering if anyone has used this fare and if it is possible to get hold of the fare rules to see if I can use flights operated by LX or SQ but carry a LH code-share.

Seems like a good price, compared with $3700 as per *A RTW?

 

[Travel Guru]

Its an awesome fare for the $$, i've sold it thousands of times during my years in the industry.

Generally you can use SQ on the SIN-AU vv. leg, but you definately cannot use the LH codeshare on SQ metal between SIN-FRA vv.

Not sure about the LX sector but I do have access to the rules, will look them up and attempt to post if possible.

Just be aware of the change/cancellation rules, on their cheapest fare it's generally non-refundable so make sure you read everything through before booking.

TG

 

[Travel Guru]

Here you go, if you need help decifering them let me know.

Just be aware that LH has 3-4 different fare levels on this type of fare and each on comes with their own slight differences in rules so read it all carefully before booking.

TG


ROUTING:
VALID LH/AC/CA/CX/UA/QF/SA/LH/MU/VS
OPERATED SERVICES ONLY - RT/OJ
ADL/BNE/MEL/PER/SYD-SIN V.V. - LH*/SQ
OPERATED
BNE/MEL/PER/SYD-BKK V.V. - LH*/TG
OPERATED
MEL-SYD-LAX V.V. - LH*/UA
OPERATED
SYD-SFO V.V. - LH*
SYD-YVR V.V. - AC OPERATED
MEL/SYD-SHA/BJS V.V. - CA OPERATED
ADL/BNE/MEL/PER/SYD-HKG V.V. - CX
OPERATED
MEL/SFO VIA SYD V.V. - UA OPERATED
BNE/MEL/PER/SYD-HKG V.V. - QF OPERATED
SDL/BNE/MEL/PER/SYD-SIN V.V. - QF
OPERATED
PER/SYD-TYO V.V. - QF OPERATED
SYD-BKK V.V. - QF OPERATED
SYD-JNB V.V. - QF OPERATED
SYD-BUE V.V. - QF OPERATED
SYD-SHA V.V. - QF OPERATED
BNE/MEL/SYD AND LAX AND SYD/SFO V.V.
- QF OPERATED
PER-JNB V.V. - SA OPERATED
SYD-HKG V.V. - VS OPERATED
SYD/MEL-SHA V.V. - MU OPERATED
ASIA/JNB AND FRA/MUC V.V. - LH OPERATED
NORTH AMERICA AND DUS/FRA/MUC V.V.
- LH OPERATED
SOUTH AMERICA AND FRA/MUC V.V.
- LH OPERATED
NOTE: LH* - CODESHARE FLIGHT
1.LH OPERATED AND CODESHARE FLTS TO/FROM
AND BTWN DESIGNATED POINTS IN EUROPE.
NOTE: DESIGNATED POINTS IN EUROPE ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
PERMITTED AT PAX OWN EXPENSE:
1.BETWEEN LAX SFO YVR AND ANY LH ONLINE
POINT IN NORTH AMERICA.
2.BETWEEN BJS/BKK/HKG/SIN/SHA/TYO AND LH
ONLINE POINTS IN ASIA. EXCL INDIAN
SUBC.
3.BETWEEN BUE AND LH ONLINE POINTS IN
SOUTH AMERICA
4.WITHIN EUROPE.
CODESHARE:

LH OPERTAED AND CODESHARE FLIGHTS TO/FROM
AND BETWEEN DESIGNATED POINTS IN EUROPE.
NOTE: DESIGNATED POINTS IN EUROPE ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
PERMITTED ONLY:
BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND BKK/SIN/LAX/SFO
WITHIN EUROPE - AP/QI/MS/TK OPERATED
FLIGHTS AS LH CODESHARE NOT PERMITTE
CHANGES:
DATE AND ROUTING CHANGES FOC PROVIDED
WITHIN FARE VALIDITY EXCEPT W CLASS:
EUR100 INCL GST AT BSR FOR ALL DATE/
ROUTING. REASSESSES TAXES ACCORDING TO
DATE OF REISSUE.
REFER TO FEES AND SURCHARGES FOR TICKET
CENTRE FEES.


STOPOVERS:

1 STOPOVER FREE PER DIRECTION UNLIMITED
STOPOVERS AT AUD100 -GROSS- LINKED TO
NUMBER OF PERMITTED TRANSFERS -SHOWN IN
TICKET AS S SURCHARGE-. DESTINATION/TURN
ROUND IS NOT COUNTED AS STOPOVER-.

 

[vowgs]

Codeshare not permitted except:

LH codeshare between Australia and BKK/SIN/LAX/SFO
permitted.

LH codeshare within Europe permitted except LH operated by
AP/QI/TK.

Flights operated by LX will therefore only be permitted on Intra-European flights; SQ operated flights only permitted between Aus-SIN.

 

[vowgs]

Hmm ... TG's response far more comprehensive lol.

 

[soak01]

Here you go, if you need help decifering them let me know.

Just be aware that LH has 3-4 different fare levels on this type of fare and each on comes with their own slight differences in rules so read it all carefully before booking.

TG


ROUTING:
VALID LH/AC/CA/CX/UA/QF/SA/LH/MU/VS
OPERATED SERVICES ONLY - RT/OJ
ADL/BNE/MEL/PER/SYD-SIN V.V. - LH*/SQ
OPERATED
BNE/MEL/PER/SYD-BKK V.V. - LH*/TG
OPERATED
MEL-SYD-LAX V.V. - LH*/UA
OPERATED
SYD-SFO V.V. - LH*
SYD-YVR V.V. - AC OPERATED
MEL/SYD-SHA/BJS V.V. - CA OPERATED
ADL/BNE/MEL/PER/SYD-HKG V.V. - CX
OPERATED
MEL/SFO VIA SYD V.V. - UA OPERATED
BNE/MEL/PER/SYD-HKG V.V. - QF OPERATED
SDL/BNE/MEL/PER/SYD-SIN V.V. - QF
OPERATED
PER/SYD-TYO V.V. - QF OPERATED
SYD-BKK V.V. - QF OPERATED
SYD-JNB V.V. - QF OPERATED
SYD-BUE V.V. - QF OPERATED
SYD-SHA V.V. - QF OPERATED
BNE/MEL/SYD AND LAX AND SYD/SFO V.V.
- QF OPERATED
PER-JNB V.V. - SA OPERATED
SYD-HKG V.V. - VS OPERATED
SYD/MEL-SHA V.V. - MU OPERATED
ASIA/JNB AND FRA/MUC V.V. - LH OPERATED
NORTH AMERICA AND DUS/FRA/MUC V.V.
- LH OPERATED
SOUTH AMERICA AND FRA/MUC V.V.
- LH OPERATED
NOTE: LH* - CODESHARE FLIGHT
1.LH OPERATED AND CODESHARE FLTS TO/FROM
AND BTWN DESIGNATED POINTS IN EUROPE.
NOTE: DESIGNATED POINTS IN EUROPE ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
PERMITTED AT PAX OWN EXPENSE:
1.BETWEEN LAX SFO YVR AND ANY LH ONLINE
POINT IN NORTH AMERICA.
2.BETWEEN BJS/BKK/HKG/SIN/SHA/TYO AND LH
ONLINE POINTS IN ASIA. EXCL INDIAN
SUBC.
3.BETWEEN BUE AND LH ONLINE POINTS IN
SOUTH AMERICA
4.WITHIN EUROPE.
CODESHARE:

LH OPERTAED AND CODESHARE FLIGHTS TO/FROM
AND BETWEEN DESIGNATED POINTS IN EUROPE.
NOTE: DESIGNATED POINTS IN EUROPE ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
PERMITTED ONLY:
BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND BKK/SIN/LAX/SFO
WITHIN EUROPE - AP/QI/MS/TK OPERATED
FLIGHTS AS LH CODESHARE NOT PERMITTE
CHANGES:
DATE AND ROUTING CHANGES FOC PROVIDED
WITHIN FARE VALIDITY EXCEPT W CLASS:
EUR100 INCL GST AT BSR FOR ALL DATE/
ROUTING. REASSESSES TAXES ACCORDING TO
DATE OF REISSUE.
REFER TO FEES AND SURCHARGES FOR TICKET
CENTRE FEES.


STOPOVERS:

1 STOPOVER FREE PER DIRECTION UNLIMITED
STOPOVERS AT AUD100 -GROSS- LINKED TO
NUMBER OF PERMITTED TRANSFERS -SHOWN IN
TICKET AS S SURCHARGE-. DESTINATION/TURN
ROUND IS NOT COUNTED AS STOPOVER-.

Thanks for this TG, its a great help. So are you still in the industry and able to give me a price?

So I understand about the codeshare, but if I flew SYD/YVR on AC and purchased a connection to YYC, as LH fly out of YYC would I be able to use this service, or as a condition of the fare would I have to return to YVR.

Cheers. Thanks for your help

 

[Keith009]

Thanks for this TG, its a great help. So are you still in the industry and able to give me a price?

So I understand about the codeshare, but if I flew SYD/YVR on AC and purchased a connection to YYC, as LH fly out of YYC would I be able to use this service, or as a condition of the fare would I have to return to YVR.

Cheers. Thanks for your help

IIRC you can do a surface segment YVR//YYC and pick up LH out of YYC.

There's also a cheaper version of the fare I believe, that limits you to LH, TG and UA but the hassle of an LAX/SFO connection might be more than it's worth.

 

[Travel Guru]

IIRC you can do a surface segment YVR//YYC and pick up LH out of YYC.

There's also a cheaper version of the fare I believe, that limits you to LH, TG and UA but the hassle of an LAX/SFO connection might be more than it's worth.

Thats correct, in the routings it states:
PERMITTED AT PAX OWN EXPENSE:
1.BETWEEN LAX SFO YVR AND ANY LH ONLINE
POINT IN NORTH AMERICA.


As far as price goes, it depends when you're looking at departing,
but these are the current gross prices PLUS taxes.

L $1647
J $1757
K $1977
H $2197


SEASONALITY -
L: 20SEP-25NOV/04JAN-28FEB
J: 01MAR-24MAR
K: 25MAR-26MAY/16AUG-19SEP/26NOV-02DEC/25DEC-03JAN
H: 27MAY-15AUG/03DEC-24DEC


As far as assistance goes, I don't solicit for business on the site
but am always happy to assist any member of the board in any way I can.
If you have any queries, feel free to PM me and i'll do my best to help.

TG

 

[soak01]

Thats correct, in the routings it states:
PERMITTED AT PAX OWN EXPENSE:
1.BETWEEN LAX SFO YVR AND ANY LH ONLINE
POINT IN NORTH AMERICA.


As far as price goes, it depends when you're looking at departing,
but these are the current gross prices PLUS taxes.

L $1647
J $1757
K $1977
H $2197


SEASONALITY -
L: 20SEP-25NOV/04JAN-28FEB
J: 01MAR-24MAR
K: 25MAR-26MAY/16AUG-19SEP/26NOV-02DEC/25DEC-03JAN
H: 27MAY-15AUG/03DEC-24DEC


As far as assistance goes, I don't solicit for business on the site
but am always happy to assist any member of the board in any way I can.
If you have any queries, feel free to PM me and i'll do my best to help.

TG

Cheers. I missed the NA routing.

 

[laffer]

I have purchased this fare before. The routing that I used (back in 2004) was

SYD-SFO (UA) SFO-MUC (LH) MUC-LHR (LH) LHR-FRA (LH) FRA-HKG (LH) HKG-SYD (QF).

It was a brilliant price back then if flying after 22 Sept. Since then I think the taxes have gone up on it to ridiculous levels and whilst the headline fare looks attractive I am not sure it is that attractive with taxes anymore.

 

[Travel Guru]

I have purchased this fare before. The routing that I used (back in 2004) was

SYD-SFO (UA) SFO-MUC (LH) MUC-LHR (LH) LHR-FRA (LH) FRA-HKG (LH) HKG-SYD (QF).

It was a brilliant price back then if flying after 22 Sept. Since then I think the taxes have gone up on it to ridiculous levels and whilst the headline fare looks attractive I am not sure it is that attractive with taxes anymore.

It really depends on what routing you're looking at doing going RTW.

For something like what you've mentioned above or the OP mentioned, the LH fare is still going to be alot cheaper than a LONE4 for example even with LH's ridiculously high taxes.

Of course if it's something more complex you're wanting to do, or you're wanting to doing some internal sectors within North America, then a LONE4 or the like is likely to work out more cost effective by the time you add in all your extra sectors.

TG

 

[moa999]

And whilst not applicable for the OPs routing, always worthwhile considering some of the circle fares which can be considerably cheaper than a DONE.
No point going around the world if you don't have to

 

[notzac]

No point going around the world if you don't have to

:shock: Wash your mouth out with soap!!

 

[franjelley]

what class are these booked in? is it a good way to buy a W fare that will be upgradeable using my UA SWUs? W fares are getting pricey these days.

 

[jgm]

We did this in 2006. MEL-LAX (UA), (own way to YVR), YVR-FRA (LH), FRA-EDI (LH), (own way to LHR), LHR-FRA (LH), FRA-SIN (LH), SIN-MEL (SQ). Got an upgrade courtesy of Aus Ski forum member on the UA sector. I don't know if they still book into the same classes though.

 

[serfty]

what class are these booked in? is it a good way to buy a W fare that will be upgradeable using my UA SWUs? W fares are getting pricey these days.

W is the only fare class mentioned in T/G's rules excerpt.

CHANGES:
DATE AND ROUTING CHANGES FOC PROVIDED
WITHIN FARE VALIDITY EXCEPT W CLASS:
EUR100 INCL GST AT BSR FOR ALL DATE/
ROUTING. REASSESSES TAXES ACCORDING TO
DATE OF REISSUE.
REFER TO FEES AND SURCHARGES FOR TICKET
CENTRE FEES.

He also mentions 3 levels of fare - presumably W is the economy one.

What is the fare code for these?

 

[vowgs]

W is the only fare class mentioned in T/G's rules excerpt.He also mentions 3 levels of fare - presumably W is the economy one.

What is the fare code for these?

The W fare is the cheapest economy booking class on this fare type, and therefore the most difficult to find availability. Change fees of EUR100 apply. Fare basis is W*RCAU.Seasonaility for W class fare below (published fare price pre-tax):

01 Jul 2009 - 15 Aug 2009 $2197
16 Aug 2009 - 19 Sep 2009 $1977
20 Sep 2009 - 25 Nov 2009 $1647
26 Nov 2009 - 02 Dec 2009 $1977
03 Dec 2009 - 24 Dec 2009 $2197
25 Dec 2009 - 03 Jan 2010 $1977
04 Jan 2010 - 28 Feb 2010 $1647
01 Mar 2010 - 24 Mar 2010 $1757
25 Mar 2010 - 26 May 2010 $1977
27 May 2010 - 15 Aug 2010 $2197
16 Aug 2010 - 19 Sep 2010 $1977
20 Sep 2010 - 11 Nov 2010 $1647


There are then higher fare levels within economy at higher fare prices. Routing options are as previously mentioned, however all fares below offer free date changes plus the higher booking class generally indicates better availability. Prices below based upon low season.

V*RFAU $1757
Q*RFAU $1977
H*RFAU $2362
M*RFAU $2856
B*FFAU $3735 (you'd hope not to have to pay this one!)

 

[serfty]

Thanks for that - it makes sens given the fare rules. Do you happen to know if there are First/Business/PremY versions?

 

[haydensydney]

Out of interest, what would one expect to pay for the same fare in J / F ??

 

[vowgs]

Thanks for that - it makes sens given the fare rules. Do you happen to know if there are First/Business/PremY versions?

No Y+ fare offered
J fare is $7142 + tax
F fare is $15384 + tax (note that the variety of routing options means some sectors may be flown in J since not all carriers operate an F class)

Can't remember if this has been mentioned, but these fares also allow travel via South America (rather than North America) as follows:

SYD (QF) BUE // SAO/CCS/BUE (LH) FRA - Eur - FRA/MUC - Asia - Aust.