Who should I buy my LONE4 from?

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cbert

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Apr 17, 2006
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Hello all,

I am trying to book the following LONE4 starting from JNB.

JNB-LHR-LIS-CLT-MBJ-MIA-JFK-HKG-DEL-NRT-KUL-AMM-KWI-DOH-JNB

Its really JNB-LIS but have to go via LHR

I have called AA RTW desk but they tell me I cant do the last legs from KUL-AMM-KWI-DOH cause I cant go back to Europe. However OW online RTW booking site allows it?

Now I need to know who else besides AA RTW I can call to price the above, is there a agent in JNB I can call?
I am in Seychelles currently.

I would book via OW website however there are some flights that I want that dont come up, mainly US airways flights operated by AA (eg: LIS-CLT)


Also I havent done a LONE4 since 2006 and back then it was best to go via AA cause less surcharges.
Is that still the case?

I was planning on calling all the OW airlines and asking them to price the trip.


Finally, per the trip are there any tips on how I can get price down lower?
I know LHR is expensive and should be avoided but I cant if want to leave from JNB.
But are there any other places to avoid as being expensive.
The taxes that come up show multiple airlines fees as the most expensive, anyway of decreasing that?


One more question, I had preference to book via AA cause like back in 2006 I took advantage of the 10,000 miles promotion, is that still on now?
 
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Hello all,

I am trying to book the following LONE4 starting from JNB.

JNB-LHR-LIS-CLT-MBJ-MIA-JFK-HKG-DEL-NRT-KUL-AMM-KWI-DOH-JNB

Its really JNB-LIS but have to go via LHR

I have called AA RTW desk but they tell me I cant do the last legs from KUL-AMM-KWI-DOH cause I cant go back to Europe. However OW online RTW booking site allows it?

At first glance I would I think it is an invalid itinerary because you're returning to Europe/Middle-East. However, there is an exception for travel originating in Africa, rule 3.2.3:
For travel originating in Africa: One of the following backtracks is permitted

3.2.3
Africa-Europe-RTW-Middle East-Africa
or
Africa-Middle East-RTW-Europe-Africa

Travel may not include any flown or surface sector between Europe and Middle East


So I would call AA back and quote that exception to them. Amman, Kuwait and Doha would be in the Middle East which would suggest you are making use of the exception and the itinerary is valid.

Now I need to know who else besides AA RTW I can call to price the above, is there a agent in JNB I can call?

I am in Seychelles currently.

BA would have an agent in JNB but ticketing with them will incur higher fuel fines. I would have a look at the oneworld thread on FlyerTalk or try to track down a ticketing office for Qatar in Johannesburg and they also fly there. Alternatively, I can give you the contact details for AA's GSA in Cairo who are outstanding.

I would book via OW website however there are some flights that I want that dont come up, mainly US airways flights operated by AA (eg: LIS-CLT)

Oneworld says they are having issues integrating US flights into the booking tool and accept to have it fixed in "two to three weeks" which is ridiculous, of course.

Also I havent done a LONE4 since 2006 and back then it was best to go via AA cause less surcharges.
Is that still the case?

I believe that is the case, yes. I ticket my xONEx itineraries with AA.

I was planning on calling all the OW airlines and asking them to price the trip.

You'll likely encounter some airlines saying 'Because you're not purchasing in South Africa we need to charge you the price for country of purchase (which is determined, ultimately, by the billing address for the credit card you use). That's why using a GSA or someone like AA's RTW desk can be very helpful.

Finally, per the trip are there any tips on how I can get price down lower?
I know LHR is expensive and should be avoided but I cant if want to leave from JNB.
But are there any other places to avoid as being expensive.
The taxes that come up show multiple airlines fees as the most expensive, anyway of decreasing that?

If you're only transitting LHR you won't incur the UK Air Passenger Duty so it shouldn't cost you much more by going through there. Remember that QR flies JNB-DOH but unfortunately they don't fly to LIS. You could potentially fly JNB-xDOH-xMAD-LIS-CLT which, by my reading, would allow you to make use of another exception:

For travel originating in Africa: One of the following backtracks is permitted
3.2.2
Africa-Middle East-RTW-Middle East-Africa

One of the visits to Middle East must be a transfer without stopover between Africa and the previous/next continent.


One more question, I had preference to book via AA cause like back in 2006 I took advantage of the 10,000 miles promotion, is that still on now?

No, there are no promotions at the moment, other than for flying with the couple of new members, SriLankan and TAM.
 
thanks for very much for info


I quoted AA RTW desk that rule 3.2.3 and after a lot of back and forth they finally decided to do it, but they say I cant stop in KWI or DOH but they still booked it in as transits with no stops. I thought fine I can always change the dates later just as long I can book all the destinations and get them to price it for me, cause thats the main thing I want, a price.


As for ticketing I think I need to contact as you suggest AA's GSA in Cairo...would you be able to give me the number?


AA has quoted me 21600Rand (about 2160AUD) + taxes which they are calculating now and will get back to me in 24 hours.


They did price the same trip for my dad but ticketed via Aust and so quoted him $5200AUD, not sure if it includes taxes.


I will also try and track down that Qatar phone number for JNB.


Also I been told about Mindpearl in South Africa a AA GSA that can book and pay a RTW ticket once you create it with AA RTW desk and get a record locator.
 
If you can get AA RTW to create it, just use mindpearl. Email them and they will book it and sort the date changes for you too.
 
ok thanks for that will get in ouch with mindpearl

one more Q:
Is there a website that shows seat availability in L class ?
I remember there was back in 2006, could go to site and it would tell you on a flight how many seats available per class.

My issue is trying to find availability of seats from LHR to LIS from 31 July....I wanted to go direct to LIS same day flying into LHR (30 July 7pm) but they say there no availability until 3 August.
 
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... but they say I cant stop in KWI or DOH but they still booked it in as transits with no stops. I thought fine I can always change the dates later just as long I can book all the destinations and get them to price it for me, cause thats the main thing I want, a price.
...
Note the AA ATW desk can get confused with Country of Origin and Continents in relation to Stopovers.

There is a rule:
6.2. Maximum two stopovers permitted in the continent of origin of which a maximum of one stopover is permitted in each direction in the country of origin.

The USA based agents mainly do ex USA bookings and see North America as being the same as USA and extrapolate this to Continent=Country.

I came across this the first time with an EX AKL LONE4 and wanting multiple stopovers in Australia. It was quite the "DOH!" moment with the agent when he realised I was correct in that New Zealand is indeed a different country to Australia and the the rule states "Country of Origin", not "Continent of Origin".
 
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