Help with DONE4?

[gilby08]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to book a DONE4 in the next few months and i am just looking for a bit more information regarding open tickets and the 'service fees'

I'm looking to do something like; MEL-SIN-LHR-PSA-LHR-FRA-LHR-JFK-LAS-LAX-MEL

Now to keep this an open ticket, what are the extra costs accociated with doing this and then changing the dates?

Where can i find these costs?

Also what is the country of the month to start this trip off to be a little cheaper?

 

[moa999]

No need to keep it 'open'. Better off just setting dates, and then you can do a date change for free. Note be careful when you set dummy dates that you get stopovers as you want them (particularly with LHR) as there will be a big difference between a transit and stopover.

If you re-route then you are up for the US$125 change fee.
(Note if you miss a flight, you are also up for this fee to have the dates changed again).

AA generally seen as easiest to book with. Can have lower fuel fines but more importantly have great RTW desks in US and UK that can handle amendments easily.


This spreadsheet will give you cheapest depart points, but note the cost in getting there. South Africa still the cheapest main point. Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka within Asia. NZ much cheaper than Australia.
OneWorld RTW Fares

 

[Danger]

Speaking of costs, I have an AA-ticketed DONE4 that includes two LHR transits. I enquired with the AA office in Australia as to what the additional charge would be to make one of the transits a stopover. The cost, a whopping $296 which is apparently "GB tax" of 150 pounds.

 

[moa999]

The famous UK APD - is both distance and class related

2.1.2 Rates of duty from 1 November 2009
The eight rates of duty from 1 November 2009 are:

Standard rates
Band A (0 – 2000 miles) £22

Band B (2001 – 4000 miles) £90

Band C (4001 – 6000 miles) £100

Band D (over 6000 miles) £110


Reduced rates - For lowest class (ie economy)
Band A (0 – 2000 miles) £11

Band B (2001 – 4000 miles) £45

Band C (4001 – 6000 miles) £50

Band D (over 6000 miles) £55

Not applicable on transits so scheduling trips can save a bundle.
e.g SYD-xLHR-xMAD-LHR-SYD is £22 but
SYD-LHR-xMAD-xLHR-SYD is £110.

ie. Just transit London before flying back to Australia.