Round the world flights

[marcoakis]

I've started discussing with my partner doing a nice round the world honeymoon instead of spending the money on a big, expensive wedding, and luckily she has agreed.

We'd like to do the following stops:

Melbourne - Abu Dhabi or Tokyo - Paris - London - NY - Vegas - LA - Melbourne

We want to do this in J and we'd take the Eurostar from Paris to London.

We don't have specific dates just yet but due to work commitments, we'd be looking at September next year. Now, I've just hit WP with Virgin this weekend so ideally I'd like to stay within the Virgin partner airlines for this trip to enjoy the perks, although I would consider other airlines if the price is considerably better.

Can you suggest any reputable TA that can offer good prices and service for a trip like this? This morning I called Wall Street Travel in Sydney, I'm waiting to hear back from them.

Thanks!

 

[Cynicor]

You may have issues ticketing a good round the world fare with Virgin.

Maybe search for a TA that posts here?

Many would suggest avoiding best flights and flight centre for generally poor service and high change fees.

If you can't find a good virgin fare, maybe the star or oneworld RTW fares would suit. For there starting in another country is preferable for a huge $ saving.

 

[markis10]

You may have issues ticketing a good round the world fare with Virgin..

Virgin have RTW products in conjunction with SQ and VS.

http://www.bestflights.com.au/cheap...ts/singapore-airlines-virgin-australia/113517

 

[Cynicor]

Indeed it exists. I just recall that recent post about a guy having trouble actually getting it, but I may be confused. OP, maybe have a search on here as I think it has come up recently. Can't find it easily on my phone!

 

[Skyring]

I've started discussing with my partner doing a nice round the world honeymoon instead of spending the money on a big, expensive wedding, and luckily she has agreed.

We'd like to do the following stops:

Melbourne - Abu Dhabi or Tokyo - Paris - London - NY - Vegas - LA - Melbourne

We want to do this in J and we'd take the Eurostar from Paris to London.

We don't have specific dates just yet but due to work commitments, we'd be looking at September next year. Now, I've just hit WP with Virgin this weekend so ideally I'd like to stay within the Virgin partner airlines for this trip to enjoy the perks, although I would consider other airlines if the price is considerably better.

I wouldn't bother with a TA.

My last J RTW trip was out of Johannesburg, and it was about $6 500, getting me to WP on my return to Canberra. That's a considerable saving on the price ex-Oz.

I'd go MEL-Tokyo (I haven't been to Abu Dhabi, but I've been to Tokyo a couple of times and Japan is fantastic fun.) Tokyo-London-Paris-NY (Longhaul flights out of the UK, especially at the better end of the bus, attract some serious taxes.) NY-Vegas-LA-Melbourne.

Well, I wouldn't restrict myself so much in the US - in fact I'd spend a few days bouncing around using up the flights and racking up points - but you the boss.

I would also choose San Francisco over LA. The best day of my life was spent on a bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge with a lovely young lady companion. Not sure that LA has anything to equal it for spectacular.

 

[RooFlyer]

Have PMed my recommended TA.

For any mildly complicated itinerary, I'd suggest using a TA - can access the more obscure and possibly beneficial routings / pricings / fares; explain fare rules; can 'pick up' mess caused by airlines cancelling / changing flights; can do hotels etc.

Especially if you just want to concentrate on having fun, not putting all the bits together.

ps Agree with skyring otherwise, wrt Tokyo and SFO.

 

[Skyring]

Especially if you just want to concentrate on having fun, not putting all the bits together.

Well, geez, for some of us that IS the fun!

But yeah, for my first few big trips I used a TA until I grew comfortable and got an understanding of what I was doing.

 

[marcoakis]

Have PMed my recommended TA.

For any mildly complicated itinerary, I'd suggest using a TA - can access the more obscure and possibly beneficial routings / pricings / fares; explain fare rules; can 'pick up' mess caused by airlines cancelling / changing flights; can do hotels etc.

Especially if you just want to concentrate on having fun, not putting all the bits together.

ps Agree with skyring otherwise, wrt Tokyo and SFO.

Thanks mate, I'll give them a call.

I agree with Tokyo (my preference) over Abu Dhabi or Singapore. We've also been to LA but never to SFO so it's a much more interesting option.

 

[erkpod]

Indeed it exists. I just recall that recent post about a guy having trouble actually getting it, but I may be confused. OP, maybe have a search on here as I think it has come up recently. Can't find it easily on my phone!

That may have been me.

I booked a VA/SQ Circle Pacific fare via Best Flights. Great if you don't need to change your flight - I did & I got done $522 for extra charges & taxes (date change from 25/12/13 to 1/1/14) & neither Best Flights or VA can tell me why the charge was so much & what taxes had gone up.

You can't book this fare on the VA website. Find T & C on the specials section of the Velocity site as well as RTW deals.

2 TA chains had no idea.

SQ call centre wanted to sell me a SYD - SIN - LAX - SIN - SYD.

The VA call centre transferred me around so much I would not have been surprised if my next person I would have spoken to was Sir Richard Branson himself. They even tried to tell me I couldn't route via NRT even though it was on the suggested routing.

Do your planning via manually constructing an plan via the VA, SQ, VX sites & check the suggested routings on the page I suggested above.

Give the RTW number for Best Flights a call & see how you go - my TA was James.

That's a summary of my previous posts on the subject.

Good luck!

 

[erkpod]

Thanks mate, I'll give them a call.

I agree with Tokyo (my preference) over Abu Dhabi or Singapore. We've also been to LA but never to SFO so it's a much more interesting option.

LA is so over rated. I've had 2 short visits to SFO & have only scratched the surface.

Likewise I loved Japan.

 

[marcoakis]

There seems to be such an abysmal difference in prices.

I've been quoted with Swiss Air under $8k pp in J and $14k with the OneWorld network... same dates and same itinerary.

 

[Cynicor]

There seems to be such an abysmal difference in prices.

I've been quoted with Swiss Air under $8k pp in J and $14k with the OneWorld network... same dates and same itinerary.

This is likely due to the Swiss air product being quite limited, while the 14k is a DONEX that allows 16 segments and is extremely flexible with a wide range of carriers. I'm no saying its good value, but you have the ability to maximise the itinerary. Of course, those in the know would start from Auckland, ticket through AA and chop at least 2-5k off... Or get yourself to JNB to start, but that's slightly harder.

 

[paris3008]

did you try BCD travel I hear they have good corporate fares and are big with Virgin.

 

[Valerie Moffat]

I agree with all the advice you have been given because you will enjoy the cities advised, be less stressed and have a great time!
I use my TA only if trip is complicated.

 

[BoyZeus]

I've just booked and ticketed the RTW J class airfare with LX for $8174 inc. taxes. My itinerary is as follows:

MEL X SYD O TYO on QF
TYO X ZRH O ATH on LX
ATH O ZRH on LX
ZRH O JFK on LX
EWR O LAX on UA
LAX X SYD O MEL on UA

If your travel agent is well versed with the fare rules you can manipulate it to do many varied itineraries particular if you open jaw on some sectors.

If you need a good TA feel free to PM (am I allowed to say that????).

 

[RooFlyer]

I've just booked and ticketed the RTW J class airfare with LX for $8174 inc. taxes. My itinerary is as follows:

MEL X SYD O TYO on QF
TYO X ZRH O ATH on LX
ATH O ZRH on LX
ZRH O JFK on LX
EWR O LAX on UA
LAX X SYD O MEL on UA

If your travel agent is well versed with the fare rules you can manipulate it to do many varied itineraries particular if you open jaw on some sectors.

If you need a good TA feel free to PM (am I allowed to say that????).

This type of construction is often available with LH and AY as well. Using their metal as far as they reach, then tacking on a major carrier to reach Australia, with the tacked on sectors reasonably discounted.

 

[bazoukka]

there used to be a QF swiss air J fare that was quite cheap if you want to leave from oz, price wise is simmilar to the oneworld J starting o/s. not sure if it's still around otherwise you can look at the oneworld starting from another country.

 

[marks]

there used to be a QF swiss air J fare that was quite cheap if you want to leave from oz, price wise is simmilar to the oneworld J starting o/s. not sure if it's still around otherwise you can look at the oneworld starting from another country.

I used this fare which was v cheap for J but it was a RTW fare with just in/out flights from each region. I did a BNE-BKK, BKK-xZUR-FCO, LHR-xFRA-MCO, LAX-BNE.
It was all the transcontinental flights basically. I used trains and LCC in Europe (FLR, VEN, CDG, SOU) and AA flights (MCO-LAS-LAX) on points across the USA. For a family of 4.
It was dramatically cheaper to do this. And gave us more flexibility. Especially as we had family & friends to meet with.
This might not be for you, but you don't need to have every flight on the same PNR would be my advice. Using the cheaper, limited stop RTW with flights cross the open jaw segments worked for us.

I had a great TA which organised the RTW with no CC fees. PM me if you need details.

Cheers

 

[bazoukka]

I used this fare which was v cheap for J but it was a RTW fare with just in/out flights from each region. I did a BNE-BKK, BKK-xZUR-FCO, LHR-xFRA-MCO, LAX-BNE.
It was all the transcontinental flights basically. I used trains and LCC in Europe (FLR, VEN, CDG, SOU) and AA flights (MCO-LAS-LAX) on points across the USA. For a family of 4.
It was dramatically cheaper to do this. And gave us more flexibility. Especially as we had family & friends to meet with.
This might not be for you, but you don't need to have every flight on the same PNR would be my advice. Using the cheaper, limited stop RTW with flights cross the open jaw segments worked for us.
T
I had a great TA which organised the RTW with no CC fees. PM me if you need details.

Cheers

It sounds like a good fare, the domestic J all around the world is nothing special

 

[NFF]

Is it cheaper to book through a travel agent ?