Done4

[munitalP]

Ok, here I am wanting to book discounted J but not knowing if a DONE4 is the correct fare or even how to book one for that matter...

Here's my schedule...

Jan 2009 last week

MEL (or SYD) / Orlando

FEB 6 or 7

Orlando / Lyon

Feb 10 Lyon / Vienna

Feb 14 Vienna / SIN

Feb 16 SIN / Jakarta / SIN

Feb 18 SIN / MEL


I am sure my learned friends in this forum will be willing to help me out here and point me in the correct direction to get these bookings underway.

Mr!

 

[NM]

If you want to travel in business class OneWorld airlines, then the DONE4 (One World Explorer Four Continent) fare is going to be the best/cheapest option.

The cheapest way is likely to book via AA using the ATW desk and paying via AA locally. There are many threads here explaining the process.

 

[dajop]

Feb 16 SIN / Jakarta / SIN

This sector can't be done on a DONE4 - no oneworld carrier flies this route.

Alternatives are purchasing a return fare ex-SIN on SQ, LH, Jetstar Asia or an Indonesian Carrier or travelling (!!) SIN-HKG-CGK-HKG-SIN on the DONE4.

 

[munitalP]

This sector can't be done on a DONE4 - no oneworld carrier flies this route.

Alternatives are purchasing a return fare ex-SIN on SQ, LH, Jetstar Asia or an Indonesian Carrier or travelling (!!) SIN-HKG-CGK-HKG-SIN on the DONE4.

I should have pointed out SIN CKG would be on Valueair - out of the DONE4 trip


Mr!

 

[NM]

This sector can't be done on a DONE4 - no oneworld carrier flies this route.

Alternatives are purchasing a return fare ex-SIN on SQ, LH, Jetstar Asia or an Indonesian Carrier or travelling (!!) SIN-HKG-CGK-HKG-SIN on the DONE4.

Just use CX and route via HKG.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Put your intinerary in the Oneworld Explorer Validaton section of the unoffical Milege Monkey
Its a good starting point

 

[simongr]

The cheapest way is likely to book via AA using the ATW desk and paying via AA locally. There are many threads here explaining the process.

Is this impacted now by the collapse of the A$?

I bought an DONE4 through the US and it cost A$10,500 - the refund came out at $12,500 before the complete collapse of the A$. Are we at the stage where it might now be cheaper to buiy through QF?

 

[serfty]

... Are we at the stage where it might now be cheaper to buiy through QF?

I do not think so; the LONE4's I purchased through AA earlier this year were simply charged on AUD as per the prevailing ex OZ rate.

Of course, those USD based

components would increase (in AUD) due to this changed exchange rates ...

 

[NM]

Is this impacted now by the collapse of the A$?

I bought an DONE4 through the US and it cost A$10,500 - the refund came out at $12,500 before the complete collapse of the A$. Are we at the stage where it might now be cheaper to buiy through QF?

the base price is fined in the local currency for the country from which the ticket is purchased. It should not vary in relation to which airline issues the ticket. So purchasing an ex-Australian xONEx fare from QF and AA should cost the same A$ base amount with the variation being in taxes, fees and surcharges.

 

[Keith009]

Hmm... might be best to avoid AA overwaters for now due to the rising cost of YQ due strong USD. Just had a DONE5 rated with 2 AA overwaters (NRT-JFK and LAX-LHR) and YQ came up to ZAR3827 which converts to more than AUD580. I also have a LHR s/o followed by a long haul departure to DXB (GB ZAR1296). Total taxes were more than AUD1200. YQ + GB adds up to over AUD800. :shock:

   BASE FARE     EQUIV AMT        TAXES          TOTAL      
       ZAR51500                        8577XT       ZAR60077ADT 
    XT       3827YQ        318US         57YC         72XY      
               52XA        103AY        328AU        600WY      
               98IA        166KK        434SW        196SG      
              126ZA        120WC         10EV       1296GB      
              638UB         89AE         47XF                   
ADT-01  DONE5                                                   
 JNB QF SYD QF AKL QF SYD QF TYO JL DPS JL TYO JL SIN AA X/T    
YO AA NYC AA MIA AA X/CHI AA LAX AA LON BA DXB BA X/LON BA C    
PT M51500DONE5 ZAR51500END XFLAX4.5

Thinking of changing the transpacific from AA to Cathay....:-| At lease that'd save about AUD300 or so even if I have to put up with Cathay and with no prospect of EVIPing....

[speaking from an AA ticketing perspective]

Now is there any cause for hope that the AUD might strengthen against the ZAR in the coming months? Anyone with a good crystal ball?

 

[Evan]

So the trick is to usa AA since they dont charge YQ on other carriers flights, but to avoid some AA overwater segments... and of course avoid LHR if possible.... but that means less good middle east flights like LHR-MCT-LHR
Getting difficult to find bargins...

Ok, so a question for Keith... DONEWC4 it says that you should contact any OW carrier for ticketing but with no AA content can you ticket it on AA ?

Key points from the rules below...

0. APPLICATION
Fares governed by this rule apply to First/Business/ Economy Circle Trip travel via AY/BA/CX/IB/JC/JL/JO/KA/LA/MA/NU/QF/RJ operated services Worldwide. Fares governed by this rule can be used to create Circle-Trips.

4. FLIGHT APPLICATION/ROUTINGS
Fares only apply on AY/BA/CX/IB/JC/JL/JO/ KA/ LA/MA/NU/QF/RJ.

15. SALES RESTRICTIONS
Tickets must be issued on the stock of AA/AY/BA/CX/IB/JL/ KA/ LA/LP/MA/QF/RJ/XL/4M. When travel originates in a country for which a specific local currency fares is published and the ticket is sold in another country, the fare will be that published for the country of origin converted to the currency of the country of sale at the bank selling rate. The resultant fare must not be lower than from the country of sale.
Not applicable for sales made and/or travel originating in the European Union.

E

 

[Keith009]

Yes you can ticket with AA if you contact AA RTW directly even with zero AA content. The final decision will be made by the local ticketing office but they seem more lax now that most things are eticketable.

 

[munitalP]

Ok, here I am wanting to book discounted J but not knowing if a DONE4 is the correct fare or even how to book one for that matter...

Here's my schedule...

Jan 2009 last week

MEL (or SYD) / Orlando

FEB 6 or 7

Orlando / Lyon

Feb 10 Lyon / Vienna

Feb 14 Vienna / SIN

Feb 16 SIN / Jakarta / SIN

Feb 18 SIN / MEL


I am sure my learned friends in this forum will be willing to help me out here and point me in the correct direction to get these bookings underway.

Mr!

I have changed my schedule slightly to MEL/LAX/DFW/MCO/ORD/FRA/LHR/BKK/SYD/MEL - 30JAN to 15FEB

I sat on hold for 45+ minutes today to AA and in the end gave up. Is there another way?

Also, my travel partner and I are driving FRA/GRZ/LNZ/FRA during our stay, we want an Audi A6 or A8 or a BMW M5 or similar... (V8 Merc etc)

Does anyone know if these can be booked and paid for with a reputable company in OZ before we leave (and can you prepay speeding fines - joke)?

Finally, does my mate need an international drivers license and where does he get one from? I had one issued in NZ a few years back and assume it's still OK..

Mr!

 

[Keith009]

Wait till the ATW desk opens at 7am Dallas time, and call +1800 247 3247. Much faster to book with them. Then call back within 2-24hrs after you've completed the booking to get the fare quote.

Once you've done that, simply ring up AA Australia to pay. Try doing so early in the morning and the wait might be shorter.

I have changed my schedule slightly to MEL/LAX/DFW/MCO/ORD/FRA/LHR/BKK/SYD/MEL - 30JAN to 15FEB

I sat on hold for 45+ minutes today to AA and in the end gave up. Is there another way?

Also, my travel partner and I are driving FRA/GRZ/LNZ/FRA during our stay, we want an Audi A6 or A8 or a BMW M5 or similar... (V8 Merc etc)

Does anyone know if these can be booked and paid for with a reputable company in OZ before we leave (and can you prepay speeding fines - joke)?

Finally, does my mate need an international drivers license and where does he get one from? I had one issued in NZ a few years back and assume it's still OK..

Mr!

 

[NM]

So the trick is to usa AA since they dont charge YQ on other carriers flights, but to avoid some AA overwater segments... and of course avoid LHR if possible.... but that means less good middle east flights like LHR-MCT-LHR

You don't need to avoid the UK altogether, just be sure to keep it to transits (<24 hours) and you avoid the high taxes. Note its not just LHR, but applies to all UK airports.

 

[Keith009]

Am contemplating removing the UK stopover to avoid the APD. And it'd be APD x 2 if i were to reposition home on an award from the UK, unless i also visit some other European city in the same trip (though not much left that interests me tbh - i mean seen one castle/church/museum/random crumbling statue, delete as appropriate, seen them all and id much rather spend more time shopping in the US). That way I can also book LHR-DXB under the AA code and get the status bonus. I do have mates in London though....

 

[Keith009]

Due to the state of the Gordon Brown Peso, I've gotten AA to reprice my DONE5 to be ticketed in the UK using the new EU exception. I've also replaced AA on the transpacific with CX. This has resulted in almost AUD900 of savings when converted. :shock:

PQ 1   SLON‡TLON                                                
                                                                
       BASE FARE     EQUIV AMT        TAXES          TOTAL      
       ZAR51550      GBP3220.00      396.00XT     GBP3616.00ADT 
    XT      80.00GB      39.40UB       3.50YC       4.40XY      
             3.20XA       6.30AY       7.90ZA       7.50WC      
             0.60EV      20.10AU      36.40WY       6.00IA      
            10.00KK      26.40SW      11.90SG     104.70YQ      
            19.60US       5.20AE       2.90XF                   
ADT-01  DONE5                                                   
 JNB QF SYD QF AKL QF SYD QF TYO JL DPS JL TYO JL SIN CX X/H    
KG CX NYC Q44 AA MIA AA X/CHI AA LAX AA LON BA DXB BA X/LON     
BA CPT51500DONE5 ZAR51544END XFLAX4.5                           
VALID ON ONEWORLD ONLY/NONREF

So other than avoiding AA overwaters, it might be a good idea to purchase ex-elsewhere xONExs in the UK.

For now anyway. Don't you just love the volatility of this international currency yoga.

 

[Lord Mud]

Pick up your internatioanl D/L's from any RACV (or interstate equiv). they last a year and cost like $35 so chances are you may need one too. You will need it.
You should be able to get any of those type cars from any of the big rental mobs. Avis in germany even does Porsches. just go on their websites for info on that.

 

[NM]

Pick up your internatioanl D/L's from any RACV (or interstate equiv). they last a year and cost like $35 so chances are you may need one too. You will need it.

Note that its an International Drivers Permit (IDP) and not a licence. It is only valid when carried in conjunction with your current and valid Australian drivers licence. The IDP is purely an internationally recognised (sanctioned by the UN) standardised method of describing your Australian drivers licence in multiple languages.

Although the organisations that sell these permits (the state and territory motoring organisations are the only authorised agents) often state they are required in order to drive in some countries, I am yet to drive in a country that has requires an IDP nor have I seen a list of the countries that require an IDP for foreign drivers.

 

[medhead]

Spain is one country that requires a permit - had to get one last year. However, Germany does not require an IDP.

The following booklet lists the requirements. Note that germany is listed as strongly recommended. However, my brother lives there and the family experience is that an IDP is not required.

http://www.raa.net/download.asp?file=documents\document_1538.pdf

Anyway, it's beyond me why anyone would want to drive in germany when they have such a great high speed train system.

FRA to LNZ 5 hours on ICE, no changes. GRZ is another 3 hours from LNZ

Edit: just double checked and Austria also requires a permit.