Questions on RTW tickets

[Chrizztofa]

Hi all

My parents and I are looking to book round the world tickets with oneworld in a couple of years time (most likely October 2016 - I know it's a long time away!) However if you can give me some advice based on the current rules to assist our planning it would be much appreciated.

Our planned routing (most likely in Y or W class) is something like: EDI-YYZ-UIO-LIM-CUZ-LIM-SCL-SYD-PER-DOH-EDI

My questions are:

1. Can we book with any oneworld carrier or do they direct you to the "home" carrier (in this case BA)?

2. We are also looking at side trips to Cuba (from YYZ or LIM) on AC or LA and the Galapagos (from LIM) by boat. Obviously we'd need to book separately but would there be any restrictions on the ticket preventing us from booking side trips outside the RTW ticket? I'm especially concerned about Cuba as we would need to fly AA from YYZ to UIO.

3. My parents also would like to spend about 6 months in PER before flying back to EDI. Most likely this would be arriving in PER in November and departing in May. Any problems with doing this? (They are Australian citizens so no problems with visas).

4. Do you earn status credits on flights? It appears you earn points but status credits aren't as clear.

5. My dad is a lifetime Qantas club member (back when those were offered!) but has no status. Does he get any reciprocal lounge benefits outside Australia? I'm QF gold so I think I would be able to guest one of my parents in if that helps.

Sorry for the long post and if it's in the wrong place.

 

[Cynicor]

Hi all

My parents and I are looking to book round the world tickets with oneworld in a couple of years time (most likely October 2016 - I know it's a long time away!) However if you can give me some advice based on the current rules to assist our planning it would be much appreciated.

Our planned routing (most likely in Y or W class) is something like: EDI-YYZ-UIO-LIM-CUZ-LIM-SCL-SYD-PER-DOH-EDI

My questions are:

1. Can we book with any oneworld carrier or do they direct you to the "home" carrier (in this case BA)?

2. We are also looking at side trips to Cuba (from YYZ or LIM) on AC or LA and the Galapagos (from LIM) by boat. Obviously we'd need to book separately but would there be any restrictions on the ticket preventing us from booking side trips outside the RTW ticket? I'm especially concerned about Cuba as we would need to fly AA from YYZ to UIO.

3. My parents also would like to spend about 6 months in PER before flying back to EDI. Most likely this would be arriving in PER in November and departing in May. Any problems with doing this? (They are Australian citizens so no problems with visas).

4. Do you earn status credits on flights? It appears you earn points but status credits aren't as clear.

5. My dad is a lifetime Qantas club member (back when those were offered!) but has no status. Does he get any reciprocal lounge benefits outside Australia? I'm QF gold so I think I would be able to guest one of my parents in if that helps.

Sorry for the long post and if it's in the wrong place.

1. Online booking engine will default to the first carrier. You can, under the rules, book with anyone, but most will prefer to be the first carrier at least, or have most of the intercontinental segments where possible. Many people prefer(-ed) AA due to their lower fuel fines.

2. They don't know what else you are booking, no issues there. With Cuba, if my memory serves you cannot enter the USA if you have entered Cuba on the same passport. Not sure if this is a real or made up issue in my head. Need to look into it and schedule accordingly.

3. No issues with long breaks. Ticket is valid 1 year from first flight.

4. Yes, points and SCs.

5. Used to get QP with AA and BA. No idea of the current status, check the website, it's pretty clear on what carriers give lounge access (but poor on the specifics of which lounge etc).

 

[Mattg]

2016 may be a little off but it will come around quickly! I think it's great that you're already considering your options now.

The ticketing carrier will be whichever carrier the first flight is on, so if the first flight is only available on BA then you don't really have a choice. You'll still be able to book and pay on the oneworld website, however.

There is no problem with doing side trips. You can do surface sectors as well (i.e. land in one city, take another flight from a different city and travel by your own means between the two places) but these count as a sector.

Regarding Cuba, I am aware that you can't go to Cuba on the oneworld RTW ticket if one or more flights is with AA, but I don't see any reason you couldn't visit on a side trip on a separate ticket.

Unless you have your heart set on going to the Galápagos Islands by boat, don't rule out flying. The reason I say this, is that flights there on LAN are usually very expensive, and the RTW ticket, which has a fairly fixed price, is quite a good way to fly there without paying too much (or any!) more than you already are. The same goes for other isolated destinations which are usually very expensive, such as Easter Island or even Lord Howe Island. I see you are including Cusco already - good idea.

No problems staying in Perth for six months, as long as the trip takes no longer than a year in total from the day of the first flight. (I'm technically now in the middle of a 7 month stopover in Paris on my RTW ticket - even though I haven't been there since July - but that's another story...)

If the last flights in your booking are more than a year out when you want to book, you can book anyway and change the dates later for free, as long as the routing/airline remains the same.

One of the great things about the oneworld explorer is that you can add premium economy for an extra surcharge to individual sectors, where it is offered on QF, BA, CX or JL flights. It's a nice middle option. In your case, you should be able to add it on the LHR-YYZ & SCL-SYD legs. Status credits are earned in L class (economy level) when booked in economy, and I believe premium economy flights earn at the higher premium economy earning rate.

Hope this helps, good luck!

 

[doctau]

I've been researching for a vaguely similar RTW trip in 2016 as well.

From what I've read, Cuba should be fine as long as it is not on the same ticket as any US carriers (maybe any US destinations too, unsure on that point). I'm not aware of any way to get from YYZ to South America on OW carriers without going via the US, so you just need to book YYZ-HAV or LIM-HAV return flights on a separate ticket to the rest of the RTW itinerary.

I think you currently have 12 segments (EDI-YYZ and YYZ-UIO not being direct), so rather than going YYZ-(US)-UIO-LIM, it may be cheaper to go YYZ-(US)-CUN-LIM-UIO, and do the return flights to Cuba from CUN (not on a OW carrier from CUN). As mattg, it may be worth using some of your spare segments (if you have thing) for things like the Galapagos islands - I'm probably going to use some of mine to go to IPC.

 

[opusman]

AFAIK the US only has prohibitions on US citizens visiting Cuba, assuming you are not American they won't care if you have been.

 

[Chrizztofa]

Thank you all very much for your detailed and insightful replies!

Just a few comments / questions based on your responses:

1. It's slightly annoying that the first carrier is the ticketing carrier (although it appears that Mattg and Cynicor seem to disagree on that point). This might not be a problem for me (trying to credit to QF) as I may end up starting and finishing in DRW rather than EDI but I think my parents would prefer to credit to CX.

On the DRW point - I believe JQ flights are allowed if QF is the ticketing carrier, so I think I could conceivably fly DRW-SIN on JQ, then SIN-LHR-EDI on BA (Alternatively I might be able to skip EDI altogether and fly DRW-SIN/KUL-HKG-YYZ....SCL-SYD-DRW on the circle fare if that works out cheaper).

2. I was under the impression (based on the oneworld RTW planner on their website) that connecting flights count as one segment? As doctau points out, some flights aren't direct so we might end up having a problem with the 16 segment rule if connecting flights are considered separately (since my first post my parents also are considering flying to AKL from SCL before heading onto PER).

3. My parents have their heart set out on an holiday package from YYZ (through Air Canada) so I guess that will be a side trip! There shouldn't be a problem as we aren't American citizens and, worst case scenario, we'll enter the US (if we journey across from YYZ) and Cuba on different passports.

4. We'll certainly consider Galapagos by air if that works out cheaper! Thanks for the suggestion Mattg.

5. Just to clarify on the status credits (this "simpler and fairer" system does my head in) - I guess flights not on QF would earn at the partner airline rate, even if QF is the ticketing carrier?

Thanks again for your time, it has been very helpful.

 

[doctau]

2. I was under the impression (based on the oneworld RTW planner on their website) that connecting flights count as one segment? As doctau points out, some flights aren't direct so we might end up having a problem with the 16 segment rule if connecting flights are considered separately (since my first post my parents also are considering flying to AKL from SCL before heading onto PER).

I believe that if your flight has a stop and continues on with the same flight number, then it's only one, but if you change flight numbers it adds a segment. For example I just picked entered PER-LHR-LAX-SYD-PER into the RTW planner which came up as 4 segments. If you select QR901+QR7 for PER-LHR (via DOH), it changes to being 5 segments. With the routing in your initial post, I think you would use up 12 of the 16 (EDI-YYZ and YYZ-UIO not being direct).

The other thing to consider is that UIO-LIM-CUZ-LIM-SCL is already four intra-continent flights. I'm not sure if you are limited to four per continent (6 for NA), or you just have to pay more past that. If LIM-CUZ-LIM is cheap to buy normal tickets for, it may be worth dropping that from the RTW ticket and using the segments for the more expensive parts.

 

[Chrizztofa]

I believe that if your flight has a stop and continues on with the same flight number, then it's only one, but if you change flight numbers it adds a segment. For example I just picked entered PER-LHR-LAX-SYD-PER into the RTW planner which came up as 4 segments. If you select QR901+QR7 for PER-LHR (via DOH), it changes to being 5 segments. With the routing in your initial post, I think you would use up 12 of the 16 (EDI-YYZ and YYZ-UIO not being direct).

The other thing to consider is that UIO-LIM-CUZ-LIM-SCL is already four intra-continent flights. I'm not sure if you are limited to four per continent (6 for NA), or you just have to pay more past that. If LIM-CUZ-LIM is cheap to buy normal tickets for, it may be worth dropping that from the RTW ticket and using the segments for the more expensive parts.

Thanks for clarifying that...looking at the oneworld website it appears we are limited to four segments per continent and cannot pay for more (although I will confirm this closer to the travel date). Otherwise it looks like we need to make a decision about whether to visit the Galapagos or Cusco on the ticket and make the other a side trip. If I recall correctly LAN has a lot of flights LIM-CUZ each day so hopefully it will be relatively cheap (although given I imagine a lot of the passengers will be tourists for Machu Picchu that might not be the case!)

 

[Himeno]

No. The first carrier does not have to be the ticketing carrier. There is no rule that states this. The ticketing carrier could, in theory, not even have any flights on the ticket. Though they prefer that they do (in fact, AA has a policy that they won't ticket an RTW unless they have at least 1 AA coded intercon flight). The only time that states first = ticketing is the online booking tool, and that is due to a technical limitation. It is easier for the tool to send the ticket request to the marketing carrier of the first flight.

JQ flights, coded as QF flights, are allowed subject to which carrier tickets it. There is a list in the rules, it isn't just QF.

If the trip includes Cuba, then AA can't be involved with the ticket in any way.

 

[timster]

5. Used to do Oneworld Explorers in Y every year or two for a dozen years or so in the 90's/00's. Relied on QP for lounge access which in those days meant one out of QF / BA / AA in every port when flying those airlines. These days BA is off the list for QP. So maximise use of AA if you want best value from QP for your proposed route.
4. There were usually some specified "no-points" routes in OWE (eg trans-Atlantic on some OW carriers). Other than that you credit according to the rules of the program you're crediting to. So yes, QFF partner rates. You may get better value with another OW FF program.

 

[footy99]

Hi all

My parents and I are looking to book round the world tickets with oneworld in a couple of years time (most likely October 2016 - I know it's a long time away!) However if you can give me some advice based on the current rules to assist our planning it would be much appreciated.

Our planned routing (most likely in Y or W class) is something like: EDI-YYZ-UIO-LIM-CUZ-LIM-SCL-SYD-PER-DOH-EDI

My questions are:

1. Can we book with any oneworld carrier or do they direct you to the "home" carrier (in this case BA)?

2. We are also looking at side trips to Cuba (from YYZ or LIM) on AC or LA and the Galapagos (from LIM) by boat. Obviously we'd need to book separately but would there be any restrictions on the ticket preventing us from booking side trips outside the RTW ticket? I'm especially concerned about Cuba as we would need to fly AA from YYZ to UIO.

3. My parents also would like to spend about 6 months in PER before flying back to EDI. Most likely this would be arriving in PER in November and departing in May. Any problems with doing this? (They are Australian citizens so no problems with visas).

4. Do you earn status credits on flights? It appears you earn points but status credits aren't as clear.

5. My dad is a lifetime Qantas club member (back when those were offered!) but has no status. Does he get any reciprocal lounge benefits outside Australia? I'm QF gold so I think I would be able to guest one of my parents in if that helps.

Sorry for the long post and if it's in the wrong place.

1. The ticketing airline defaults to the first airline flown. But remember that is just who you pay and book with - it doesn't affect the cost or who you credit to. Eg. On my last DONE6, the ticketing airline was Malev (before they went defunct - then the oneworld CEO took it on herself and eventually Qantas picked it up but that's another story) but everything credited to Qantas.

2. The side trips are fine. Cuba I would keep separate from the main ticket though. Galapagos on the other hand, I would be including in the RTW itinerary and doing the Lima-Cusco return separately for maximum cost benefit (my return tickets Lima-Cusco were US$65 each way with TACA in 2012 - Galapagos is at least 5 times that).

3. No worries as long as everything is done in 12 months, you can stay in one place for 50 weeks if you like!

4. Yes, assuming you are crediting to QF, you earn both.

I'm not sure how to multi-quote but on your later questions:

It doesn't matter who the ticketing carrier is - you can still credit everything to QF and non-QF flights earn at the partner rate.

Connecting flights count separately if they have different flight numbers and as a single flight if they don't.

Sounds like a great itinerary. Have fun planning!

 

[RooFlyer]

Thank you all very much for your detailed and insightful replies!

Just a few comments / questions based on your responses:

1. It's slightly annoying that the first carrier is the ticketing carrier (although it appears that Mattg and Cynicor seem to disagree on that point). This might not be a problem for me (trying to credit to QF) as I may end up starting and finishing in DRW rather than EDI but I think my parents would prefer to credit to CX.

On the DRW point - I believe JQ flights are allowed if QF is the ticketing carrier, so I think I could conceivably fly DRW-SIN on JQ, then SIN-LHR-EDI on BA (Alternatively I might be able to skip EDI altogether and fly DRW-SIN/KUL-HKG-YYZ....SCL-SYD-DRW on the circle fare if that works out cheaper).

<snip>

No matter which airline tickets the trip, you can credit to any One World FF scheme. Even if you have no CX flights, you can credit the lot to the CX FF scheme.

Thank you all very much for your detailed and insightful replies!
<snip>

3. My parents have their heart set out on an holiday package from YYZ (through Air Canada) so I guess that will be a side trip! There shouldn't be a problem as we aren't American citizens and, worst case scenario, we'll enter the US (if we journey across from YYZ) and Cuba on different passports.

<snip>

Just to be clear, for the sake of others, US citizens CAN enter Cuba. They just can't do it via a US airline or from the US directly or on any ticket that involves a US carrier. Most go to the Bahamas, fly Air Bahamas and get their Cuban visa included in their Air Bahamas air ticket. Note that Air Canada can be expensive, but their LCC 'Rouge' might be an option. Also, beware using the One World planner for Air Canada flights to the Caribbean and Cuba - many flights are seasonal and/or once a week only.

 

[Mattg]

Thanks for clarifying that...looking at the oneworld website it appears we are limited to four segments per continent and cannot pay for more (although I will confirm this closer to the travel date). Otherwise it looks like we need to make a decision about whether to visit the Galapagos or Cusco on the ticket and make the other a side trip. If I recall correctly LAN has a lot of flights LIM-CUZ each day so hopefully it will be relatively cheap (although given I imagine a lot of the passengers will be tourists for Machu Picchu that might not be the case!)

Without a doubt, I would go to the Galapagos Islands on the RTW ticket and buy a separate ticket LIM-CUZ. As I discovered last year*, LAN can be very expensive on the Lima to Cuzco route if you book from the Australian site (in fact it's a blatant rip-off) but there are ways to get around it. One option is to book using the US-based LAN website. Another is to fly Peruvian Airlines or Star Peru, who don't discriminate on price. I've heard Peruvian Airlines are fine and you would potentially save a lot of money. Either way, there is a lot of competition on this route and many flights daily, so you are much better off booking that separately.

*Have a look at this thread which I started last year about LAN's price discrimination on Peruvian domestic flights: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ice-discrimination-tourists-pay-5x-53836.html

 

[serfty]

1. The ticketing airline defaults to the first airline flown. ...

As himeno posted that is what the online tool does, but you can ticket with any one world carrier.

My first xONEx started with an ex CMB flight on CX, but was ticketed on AA.

Note that ticketing with LAN can often be the cheapest way as I do not believe they assess any fuel surcharges. However I have come across reports that they can be problematic to deal with in the event of any issues/changes.

 

[Mattg]

Note that ticketing with LAN can often be the cheapest way as I do not believe they assess any fuel surcharges. However I have come across reports that they can be problematic to deal with in the event of any issues/changes.

I found LAN to be great in the air, but atrocious on the ground. I personally wouldn't choose to have them ticket a RTW booking for this reason - you can't make most changes online and their call centre is just awful. And if something goes wrong while you are overseas and you have any problems with your booking, LAN are absolutely useless. (I'm speaking from experience here.)

 

[footy99]

Note that ticketing with LAN can often be the cheapest way as I do not believe they assess any fuel surcharges. However I have come across reports that they can be problematic to deal with in the event of any issues/changes.

Yeah when Malev went defunct and my 4 flights with LAN were still open-dated the best they could offer was to let me fly standby if there was space available. Thankfully Oneworld pulled them into line! If you're going to just book the first flight and leave everything else open-dated, I'd be very wary of booking with LAN.

But is that for real re: fuel surcharges? So you could effectively fly QF and BA as much as you like without paying through the nose just by booking with LAN? That'd have to save at least $1K off the average RTW ticket wouldn't it?

 

[Chrizztofa]

Is there a way to "force" the oneworld planner to price the itinerary through a different airline (e.g. LAN - to see what the price difference is without the fuel surcharges)? Otherwise, how do you ticket with another carrier (do you need to call them and book over the phone or via a travel agent)?

As I'm currently in HKG, the LAN website seems to default to showing fares in USD. I can't remember what they were to CUZ, but seemed reasonable (not 5x the price that mattg discovered!)

One further idea we've since had is to fly to Australia SCL-IPC-PPT-AKL-SYD (although we risk running into the 16 segment/4 segment per continent rules here, which may force us to book both GPS and CUZ as side trips). Looking at the planner though, there are no tickets available (even 11 months out) on IPC-PPT on LAN (with PPT-AKL being a TN/QF surface segment) which is rather annoying. I couldn't find anything on LAN for SCL-AKL either, which would effectively force us to fly QF SCL-SYD. Surely the tickets aren't sold out 12 months in advance, so does anyone know why you can't book it through the RTW ticket?

 

[serfty]

Book a simple routing with the first flight on LAN, then reproduce it with the first flight on another carrier.

 

[Mattg]

I believe LAN (and also possibly TAM) don't release seats until a bit closer to the departure date. If you can see earlier dates for the flights you want, there's nothing stopping you booking those then changing for free when the dates you want are released.