oneworld CircleAsia query

[Chalkie]

Will this be a valid DAS 17,000 itinerary:

MEL-NRT (stopover)
NRT-CTS (surface sector; stopover CTS)
CTS-HKG (not sure whether this will be a stopover; I will be in HKG less than 24 hours, but overnight, so would need to collect my luggage and re-check in the next morning)
HKG-TPE (stopover)
TPE-HKG-SIN (transit through HKG; no stopover)
SIN-MEL

I am not certain of the operation of the provision in the Fare Rules which states "Only one interregional departure and one interregional arrival permitted in each region. Regions are defined as Northeast Asia/Southeast Asia/Southwest Pacific."

I'm concerned that precludes my transits through HKG to TPE, as TPE is defined as Northeast Asia under the Fare Rules, so adding that to NRT and CTS would be more than one interregional departure and arrival. That said, HKG and SIN would equally be more than one interregional arrival and departure as well. The oneworld website gives an itinerary example of MEL-SIN-KUL-HKG-PEK-NRT-MEL. That's confused me as well, as SIN-KUL-HKG would give you two interregional arrivals (KUL and HKG).

Or have I completely misunderstood what is an interregional arrival and departure?

If this isn't a valid itinerary, does anyone have any suggestions for what would be a valid itinerary. The compulsory stops are NRT, CTS, TPE and SIN. HKG is only an optional transiting point.

Thanks for your assistance!

 

[dajop]

Your itinerary will not be permitted. Basically the rule indicates you can't travel back and forth between the regions. So you are planning SWP-NEA-SEA-NEA-SEA-SWP, whereas you are only allowed SWP-NEA-SEA-SWP (or vice versa). You will probably need to look at going on JL from Japan to TPE rather than CX, as that way you avoid going to SE Asia (HKG) twice.

Something like MEL-NRT/CTS-HND-TPE/TPE-HKG/HKG-SIN/SIN-MEL would work, but I'd seriously consider just buying CTS-HND in separate ticket, as then the distance puts you below 13,000 miles so lower Circle Asia fare category.

 

[Chalkie]

Thanks so much for clarifying that. I really appreciate it.