Oneworld Circle Pacific Question..

[GagReflex]

I'm getting differing answers so I'm hoping someone can answer once and for all....

The Itinerary I was hoping to do is:
Melbourne - Honolulu - Tokyo - Hong Kong - Hanoi - Bangkok - Melbourne

But I've been told that I must make a MAINLAND USA stop and that Honolulu doesn't count. Can anyone confirm that with the Circle Pacific fare Honolulu isn't considered a 'US' stop. I can't see any mention in the literature.

Many thanks in advance..

 

[Dave Noble]

The stopovers rule is

FOR -22 TYPE FARES FOR TICKETING ON/AFTER 15APR 06 2 FREE STOPOVERS REQUIRED AND A MAXIMUM OF 4 PERMITTED.

NOTE - ONLY ONE STOPOVER PERMITTED AT ANY POINT. ---
TWO STOPOVERS REQUIRED OUTSIDE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN. ---
A MAXIMUM OF ONE STOPOVER IN COUNTRY OF ORIGIN. ---
A MAXIMUM OF TWO FREE STOPOVERS PER REGION - SWP/ ASIA/NORTH AMERICA/SOUTH AMERICA. ---
WHERE A PASSENGER DISEMBARKS AT ONE POINT AND RE-EMBARKS AT A SUBSEQUENT POINT ENROUTE THE POINTS COUNT AS A SINGLE STOPOVER. ---

ADDITIONAL STOPS PERMITTED AT AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE PER STOPOVER OF USD75.00/CAD115.00 - ADDITIONAL STOPOVERS MAY NOT BE PURCHASED IN COUNTRY OF ORIGIN - ADDITIONAL STOPOVERS RESTRICTED TO TWO STOPOVERS PER REGION -

TRAVEL MUST BE VIA THE NORTH/CENTRAL PACIFIC IN ONE DIRECTION AND THE SOUTH WEST PACIFIC IN THE OTHER DIRECTION OR VICE VERSA. ONLY ONE NORTH/ CENTRAL PACIFIC CROSSING AND ONE SOUTH WEST PACIFIC CROSSING IS PERMITTED

I suspect that the rule regarding the pacific crossings may be the issue

Dave

 

[NM]

Prior to JL joining OneWorld, this itinerary was not possible since the only OW carriers to operate to/fro HNL were AA and QF. I expect Dave is correct and only getting HNL does not count as crossing the Pacific.

 

[JohnK]

I expect Dave is correct and only getting HNL does not count as crossing the Pacific.

If not the Pacific then what do you cross when travelling MEL-HNL?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

MEL-HNL is fine as a south pacific crossing. HNL-NRT is not a north pacific crossing for the purpose of this fare.

 

[serfty]

I believe -HNL-LAX-NRT- would be valid.

IIRC, Routing Oz|NZ-[AKL-]<North America> is considered South Pacific and Oz|NZ-NRT|HKG|HNL-<North America> is considered North/Central Pacific.

The fare is not called a "Circle Pacific" for nothing; to "circle" the Pacific you must touch Oz/NZ, Asia and North America.

To put it another way, it's not so much a touching the US that counts here; it's touching the North American continent. While Hawaii is one of the United States, it is not physically in North America.

 

[simongr]

I think the circle pacific fare is considerably more expensive than the "new" circle asia fare (A$4500ish) - I was tempted by DCIRC (i think that is the fare code) but it was if i recall close to $8000.

I am tempted by a routing via anchorage if I can it to work this year on a DONE4 or DCIRC (might use a DCIRC for my next trip to the US (NYC) rather than routing via London.

S

 

[NM]

If not the Pacific then what do you cross when travelling MEL-HNL?

You have only crossed half of the Pacific, not the entire expanse of ocean.

 

[HardieBoys]

I've been quoted $AUD 7029 + taxes for a Circle Pacific. As the Australian dollar has risen 4% against the $US since I booked, I'm going to re-price the ticket this weekend. When I first enquired in late January, it was $AUD 7069 + taxes. A $40 drop is better than a kick in the head, I guess.

 

[GagReflex]

Latest Circle pacific fares

22000 miles - $3069 + taxes
26000 miles - $3739 + taxes
29000 miles - $4399 + taxes

Since I last checked the prices have skyrocketed.
It's no longer worth thinking about these fares, around the world fares are far better value (unfortunately)

 

[HardieBoys]

Hi,

Are those fares in $US or $AUD? My fare was for SYD-HKG-LAX-SYD, which is pretty minimal a Circle Pacific itinerary, and as I said, it was quoted at $7029 plus taxes.

 

[GagReflex]

Sorry that was AU$ for economy class

 

[Dave Noble]

It's no longer worth thinking about these fares, around the world fares are far better value (unfortunately)

They are worth considering when wishing to do an itinerary that fits in with them; if wanting to visit part of Asia and part of the US, travelling around the world may well not appeal

Also, they are typically cheaper than ATW tickets
DCIRC22/26 are AUD7902 and AUD8579 compared to a DONE4 at AUD9699

The DCIRC29SA is not that much cheaper at AUD10079 vs AUD10809 for a DONE5 , however given a choice of flying SCL-AKL-SYD vs South America - Europe - Asia - Australia, I know which I would rather do

Dave

 

[simongr]

What do people think of this:

syd-nrt-pek-nrt-pvg-nrt-hkg-syd

I think this fits netaly within a 17K Circle Asia fare. To get to Guanzhou we will catch a train from Shanghai or not bother going to Guangzhou (its only a small office). I dont think I could squeeze more out of it - but 40K miles isnt bad - shame its only 25k qpoints

 

[simongr]

Just an update - does this look ok? I am booking for my boss originating in the US. He has been quoted US$19,370 for the direct return on QF!!!! I am suggesting a Circle Pacific fare:

JFK-HKG 27 May CX841 Dep 10:10 arr 14:05 (28 May)
HKG-SYD 29 MayCX161 Dep 21:05 arr 08:15 (30 May)
SYD-JFK 11 June QF107 Dep 10:20AM arr 17:20PM

There is availability in D for all flights.

Am I missing something?

S

 

[MelUser]

I am aware with this airfare that 2 stops are required. Do they have to be outside the counry of origin (eg Australia). Could I fly to US (via HKG) and have one stop there and then one stop [min 24 hrs] in Syd on way back to melbourne?

 

[simongr]

TWO STOPOVERS REQUIRED OUTSIDE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN. ---

It would appear not...

 

[MelUser]

what about using AKL. come back from US on QF 26 and spend 24 hrs in AKL. Does that work?

 

[serfty]

... spend 24 hrs in AKL. Does that work?

I guess so!

 

[NM]

what about using AKL. come back from US on QF 26 and spend 24 hrs in AKL. Does that work?

well, yes it would, but on a Circle Pacific fare you have a very wide choice of where to spend your second stopover, so why on earth would you want to pick AKL .