Completing a DONE4

[Knid]

Hi There,

I am planning a DONE4 ex JNB, I've got the flights I want until the very last one from Pairs (ORY or CDG) to JNB on the 19th Jan 14, however the oneworld tool says that there is no space in business from LHR-JNB - Expertflyer agrees - both BA55 & BA57 show J0 , C0, and with R/I not shown.

Is this normal?

On either the 18th or 20th there is plenty of space.

Knid

 

[Danger]

It may well be sold out. I believe you should be able to wait list in D so I would book an alternate date and do that. And remember, there must be availability in D; J and C don't count for oneworld Explorer fares.

 

[Knid]

It may well be sold out. I believe you should be able to wait list in D so I would book an alternate date and do that. And remember, there must be availability in D; J and C don't count for oneworld Explorer fares.

That's the thing I found strange D didn't exist.

knid

 

[docjames]

That's the thing I found strange D didn't exist.

knid

There may be a number of reasons for no "D" availability, a couple of which include a large group all travelling on D fares, or the fares just havent been loaded by the airline. Either way, book the closest date that's acceptable and watch availability for your preferred date and switch if it frees up.

 

[Scarlett]

Knid, who did/are you planning to book this DONE4 through? If you've managed to make the OW online booking engine work, then I guess your first flight out of JNB to start is with BA (could also be CX to HKG or QF to Aus) so will be ticketed on their stock. This will be much more expensive than having AA ticket it.

If not, have you spoken to AA and had them plan/ticket it? I found when booking my DONE4 ex Sth Africa that speaking to the booking staff provided many more answers when I was trying to solve problems. Suggest you give the AA RTW desk a call and see if they can see any D availability.

Another option, if you haven't used up all of your 16 sectors is to fly via CPT. I can see plenty of D availability on 19Jan14:
BA43 LHRCPT + BA6406 CPTJNB
" + BA6410
" + BA6414
BA59 LHRCPT and then any of the connecting flights on to JNB.

An alternative is just to fly to CPT and end your journey there. A DONE4 ex JNB doesn't have to return to JNB but can actually finish anywhere in Africa I believe. For my DONE4 we're departing CPT on first leg and returning to JNB on last leg.

 

[Knid]

Knid, who did/are you planning to book this DONE4 through? If you've managed to make the OW online booking engine work, then I guess your first flight out of JNB to start is with BA (could also be CX to HKG or QF to Aus) so will be ticketed on their stock. This will be much more expensive than having AA ticket it.

If not, have you spoken to AA and had them plan/ticket it? I found when booking my DONE4 ex Sth Africa that speaking to the booking staff provided many more answers when I was trying to solve problems. Suggest you give the AA RTW desk a call and see if they can see any D availability.

Another option, if you haven't used up all of your 16 sectors is to fly via CPT. I can see plenty of D availability on 19Jan14:
BA43 LHRCPT + BA6406 CPTJNB
" + BA6410
" + BA6414
BA59 LHRCPT and then any of the connecting flights on to JNB.

An alternative is just to fly to CPT and end your journey there. A DONE4 ex JNB doesn't have to return to JNB but can actually finish anywhere in Africa I believe. For my DONE4 we're departing CPT on first leg and returning to JNB on last leg.

I'm just about to book it - however the dates have moved out a few months as availability at this time is now wide open, first leg will be CX to HKG - can / will AA ticket this ex JNB and in ZAR??

Knid

 

[Danger]

Have you tried using the online booking tool? The tool should at least give a price in rand.

Do you have any AA segments, particularly long hauls? If so, AA should be able to ticket it for you. Try calling their RTW desk in the US on 1800 843 3000.

 

[Knid]

Yes I've got the price + tax in rand - will likely do a AA codeshare across the Pacific and AA metal across the Atlantic. AA metal US domestic. So I guess after reading up on flyertalk they will book and their South Africa GSA will ticket.

Also, does anyone have experience if AA will charge a service fee for marking changes before travel above the fees in the ticket T&Cs?

Knid

 

[Danger]

In my experience, no additional charge.

 

[Knid]

Just as a update - made a booking via AA RTW desk, but when it was priced it worked out as ~$330 more expensive than the RTW tool.

Strange. Booked via the tool instead.

Knid

 

[support]

As per the rules for threads in this forum, this thread is now closed.