Round the World (Honeymoon) S.O.S

[GrantC]

Hi All

Wondering if anyone has any ideas re the following trip for our honeymoon.

19 December 2006 Melbourne - Singapore
21 December 2006 Singapore - Paris
28 December 2006 London - New York
2 January 2007 New York - San Francisco
9/10 January 2007 Los Angeles - Honolulu
13/14 January 2007 Honolulu - Melbourne

We would prefer to fly with airlines other than British Airways if possible. Singapore Airlines would be ideal.

Honolulu can be substituted for another island destination. We just thought it would be nice to finish up with a bit of sun and sand.

Bestflights are quoting $2,700 plus taxes on Star Alliance midi.

Anyway ideas/tips? Also as the whole trip is taking 28 days and we have a year any ideas how to wangle some free flights by abusing the start/end in the same place rule or otherwise would would be great!

Should we just wait for a special?

If someone can help out and you're in Melb it will score you a few free beers.

p.s Got offered a platinum AMEX today (upgrading from the Gold) but other than the free flight to Perth can't see any ohter advantages with that one! Looking into the insurance benefits.

Cheers people

 

[BlacKnox]

Should we just wait for a special?

Welcome to AFF GrantC .

It's possible you could save money on a TIX with a special later but you run the risk of fuel surcharges increasing further & offsetting any benefit. Also have you posted your itinerary into http://gc.kls2.com yet?

Re: AMEX platinum there's lots of discussion regarding its cost/ benefits on this board. Just use the search function.

 

[GrantC]

Thanks for the welcome and your comments.

Great website tip:

From To Distance
MEL (37°40'24"S 144°50'36"E) SIN (01°21'01"N 103°59'40"E) 3743 mi
SIN (01°21'01"N 103°59'40"E) CDG (49°00'35"N 02°32'52"E) 6667 mi
LHR (51°28'39"N 00°27'41"W) JFK (40°38'23"N 73°46'44"W) 3451 mi
JFK (40°38'23"N 73°46'44"W) SFO (37°37'08"N 122°22'30"W) 2586 mi
LAX (33°56'33"N 118°24'29"W) HNL (21°19'07"N 157°55'21"W) 2556 mi
HNL (21°19'07"N 157°55'21"W) MEL (37°40'24"S 144°50'36"E) 5504 mi

Air Total: 24508 mi

plus surface:
CDG (49°00'35"N 02°32'52"E) LHR (51°28'39"N 00°27'41"W) 216 mi
SFO (37°37'08"N 122°22'30"W) LAX (33°56'33"N 118°24'29"W) 337 mi

Land Total: 554 mi

TOTAL: 25,062 mi

Agree with you re surcharges etc - Air NZ raised there flight costs by 10% across the board yesterday!

 

[CO BNE]

Welcome GrantC.

I'm not knowledgeable with around the world trips and planning, but a few things to take into account is status (do you have any?) with airlines and what the maximum amount you're willing to spend.

------------------------

There are several topics around on around the world travel originating from places such as BKK or CMB that offer a reduced rate.

One in particular CRWEKUAN. Maximum of 4 stop overs in USA/Canada but apart from that unlimited stopovers [excluding South America]. You're sure to earn brownie points with your new wife travelling in business class.

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If you desire status in oneworld then undertaking the AA Platinum Challenge may be of benefit. You could look at the LLGLOB26 base fare to fit your flights as you have 5 stops (the maximum in LLGLOB26). As an example I am undertaking the following routing in August:

QF:
BNE-SIN [stop]

CX:
SIN-HKG

BA:
HKG-LON (BA WT+)
LON-CDG[stop]

AA:
CDG-NYC[stop]-ORD-HSV[stop]-DFW-LAX-BNE

This will allow me to have AA Platinum status for my wife and I by the time we hit London (plus the bonus miles for the flight). Then from Paris all my remaining flights are with AA (or AA-codeshare on QF for LAX-BNE) earning me 100% bonus miles plus the perks of AA Platinum such as exit row seating on the remaining flights (where available).

With the mileage accrued you could then take advantage of the low AA award redemption rates to take a trip or two at a later stage, as well as being able to access the Qantas Club domestically and oneworld Sapphire benefits.

 

[GrantC]

Thanks for that response and the welcome. Really good tips for a newbie

We are not frequent international travelers but as we both have good jobs we will probably start travelling more after we marry. At the mo just the occassional trip return to the islands or NZ (I'm a kiwi), usually with virgin or equivalent.

I think we would have to go tier 2 on the AA plan as with flights into New York, San Francisco and Honolulu (I take it LA doesn't count as it is a surface sector?) given the rule "26,000 miles - minimum 3, maximum 5 stopovers with no more than 2 stopovers in any one region"[/b]?

Another quick question: I note these are the quotes from the Qantas site but if I am reading the posts from the forum correctly if flying OneWorld it would be advisable to book through AA's ATW desk in Sydney ( cf Qantas)?

Is that right?

 

[CO BNE]

Thank you for picking up my error on the maximum 2 stopovers in any one region for LLGLOB26.

Did I mention i'm not very knowledgeable.

As you say the LLGLOB29 (Tier 2) will fit your requirements with the surface sector. However for the cost differential, the LONE4 may be a better option if there were some other cities you may be thinking you'd like to visit.

Also yes to following the information in the other post provided by Dave Noble and NM regarding booking with AA RTW desk.

 

[BlacKnox]

Just a couple more points GrantC.

Firstly congratulations on your engagement .

With 24,508 miles you've got roughly 1500 more miles to play with. Remember if you stay somewhere less than 24hours it is not considered a stop-over. So maybe for example, you could stop in Sydney (or elsewhere?) for less than 24 hours on your way home to Melbourne. Whether this is worthwhile with extra airport taxes etc is up to you.

The train from Paris to London is great so I wouldn't fly between the two. Also the drive from San Fran to LA (or vice versa) along the coast is one of the most beautiful in the world; definitely worth hiring a car for (your Aussie license should suffice). Enjoy your honeymoon.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

If you're on a *A RTW then you need to include surface segment mileage also - ie CDG-LHR, SFO-LAX.

 

[NM]

If using OneWorld airlines (and you can still avoid BA if you really don't want to fly with them) then the OneWorld Explorer is the most flexible fare to go with. There are some mini-ATW options from some specific partner airlines, but they are generally more restrictive in routes/ports available.

However, I get the impression from the OP that they would prefer not to use OneWorld airlines (not just the specific exclusion of BA as stated). So a Star Alliance ATW fare is probably best, and I have no experience with those fares and the rules associated with them.

If you are interested in OneWorld Explorer, then let us know and several regulars here can make recommendations.