RTW J Class - Advice Please.

[Plugman]

Hello,

As with a lot of the new members, please excuse my lack of terminology!

My partner and I are planning a RTW trip from September 09' and would appreciate any advice on cost, routing and earning points through QF in Business Class. I have played around with the Star Alliance and One World Mileage Calculators with reasonable success, however needing to stop at Cairo is the main problem.

Here is the travel plan so far and the places we need to go to.

Leaving SYD around the 12th September 09.

SYD - CAI - LHR - JFK - YYC (driving to) SEA - LAS - HNL - SYD

We have about 9 weeks and are open to additions to the above itinerary. Perhaps something in the US?

Star Alliance looks like the most flexible, as it includes Air Canada and AIR NZ, however the Cairo issue still remains!

Thanks for any advice!

Plugman

 

[simongr]

To make things easier for yourself what you might consider is flying say SYD-HKG-Dubai-LHR etc on a Oneworld explorer fare. Then buy a separate fare Dubi-CAI-Dubai. Theissue is that if you want to fly to CAI that is africa and thus will move you to a 5 continent fare rather than 4 which is more expensive.

 

[tuapekastar]

To make things easier for yourself what you might consider is flying say SYD-HKG-Dubai-LHR etc on a Oneworld explorer fare. Then buy a separate fare Dubi-CAI-Dubai. Theissue is that if you want to fly to CAI that is africa and thus will move you to a 5 continent fare rather than 4 which is more expensive.

But in the wonderful world of geography, oneworld style, Egypt is part of Europe...so although it's a longer trip, SYD-LHR-CAI-LHR and onwards as planned is possible.

 

[tuapekastar]

To the OP (oh, and welcome to AFF, Plugman !), there can be some very creative routings of oneworld explorer fares in order to maximise miles flown and status credits earned.

I don't know if that is the sort of thing you are looking to do? A creative routing can also get you Platinum status if you do not already have it.

Really, within the rules, you can stretch things out quite a lot, if that is your desire. I'm sure people here will assist if that's the sort of thing you are looking for...

 

[simongr]

But in the wonderful world of geography, oneworld style, Egypt is part of Europe...so although it's a longer trip, SYD-LHR-CAI-LHR and onwards as planned is possible.

Apologies for my error about that. I had a suspiscion but did not have time to investigate.

 

[MelUser]

Now that it has been mentioned, perhaps LHR-Cairo-LHR will replace the AFF favourite run of LHR-Dubai-LHR to maximise SCs/points etc?

 

[simongr]

Now that it has been mentioned, perhaps LHR-Cairo-LHR will replace the AFF favourite run of LHR-Dubai-LHR to maximise SCs/points etc?

Why? 2917 mile vs. 3419 and LHR-DXB can be done with a 90 min turnaround time as you are flying back on teh same aircraft you arrived on. You also get lie flat beds in J although you might get that LHR-CAI.

 

[tuapekastar]

Apologies for my error about that. I had a suspiscion but did not have time to investigate.

Well it's certainly not logical having Egypt in Europe, but whatever floats the OW boat I suppose!

For the record, OW has also relocated Ekaterinburg, Algeria , Morocco, Tunisia, and Sudan to Europe.

 

[Plugman]

Thank you all for your prompt replies and useful tips. Perhaps a LHR - CAI -LHR side trip would be of use then continue onto the US and Canada. I was of the opinion that you had to travel in the same direction without bac-tracking?

If additional flights are permitted, I'd like to suggest New Orleans or Miami between JFK and YYC.

Who is the best (and cheapest for that matter!) to book a trip like this through? I usually use an agent for my other less complicated travel, but I'm not sure she will inderstand what I'm planning here.

Thanks again for you input.

 

[MelUser]

A DONE4 airfare will allow everything you want. It costs 11K + taxes (of about $1500). Any reputable agent can organise.

 

[Travel Guru]

Thank you all for your prompt replies and useful tips. Perhaps a LHR - CAI -LHR side trip would be of use then continue onto the US and Canada. I was of the opinion that you had to travel in the same direction without bac-tracking?

If additional flights are permitted, I'd like to suggest New Orleans or Miami between JFK and YYC.

Who is the best (and cheapest for that matter!) to book a trip like this through? I usually use an agent for my other less complicated travel, but I'm not sure she will inderstand what I'm planning here.

Thanks again for you input.

You're allowed to back-track WITHIN a continent, you're just not allowed to backtrack BETWEEN continents.


As far as who to book through, I'm a touch biased there, but I always find it's itineraries like these where a good agent can make life alot easier, though that's just my 2c.

TG

 

[MelUser]

Yes, by "reputable" I don't mean the chain travel agents who can give you a real fright!

 

[tuapekastar]

The following comments apply to oneworld - I know squat about Star Alliance:

I don't think JFK-YYC will work (no OW flights between the two).

To cover your original list of required destinations I think the following will work:

SYD-LHR-CAI-LHR-YYC-(drive)SEA-JFK-DFW-LAS-LAX-HNL-SYD

It would be 32078 miles travelled and a minimum of 1040 QF status credits, which would get you Gold status with QF (1400 would get you Platinum).

That routing only uses 11 segments so there are 5 more to use if you are willing/able, though only 1 left in North America. You could check out Asia on the way and/or have a couple of extra flights in Europe or Oz.

The key rules are:

16 segments total
Max 4 in any 'continent' except Nth America = 6
Intercontinentals count towards 16 total
Can backtrack within continents
(There are a bunch of other 'minor' rules as well)

Naturally you are restricted by the origin-destination city pairs that OW airlines fly between - if they don't fly it - you can't!

Try mucking around with the OWE validator at Mileage Monkey - it's well worth a look.

As to who to book with, well TAs are fine and there are some v good ones out there (like TG for example ) but booking via the AA ATW desk has its appeal...they are very knowledgable about these fares - can save heaps in surcharges by ticketing with AA vs. QF (maybe pay ~AUD400 versus AUD1000 - depends on the routing)

 

[serfty]

Of course,

You can always fly oneworld with SYD-(QF/BA)BKK-(CX)DXB-(RJ)AMM,CAI-(BA)LHR-(AA/BA)JFK-(AA/CX)YVR,SEA-(AS)LAX-(AA)LAS-(AA)LAX-(AA)HNL-(QF)SYD on a xGLOB29

i.e.
Get from AMM to CIA (241 miles) on a separate flight or land segment.
go to Vancouver and do a side trip to Calgary.

Also, with a xGLOBnn you can employ the AA codeshare on Alaskan Airlines YVR to LAX.

 

[Plugman]

Thanks very much for that guys. It has broadened my outlook and given me a couple of avenues to pursue.

Cheers!