RTW Planning Advice

[VelociRaptor]

Hey Guys,
Please excuse the lack of abbreviations and what not, am still trying to learn them .

I am off to the UK at the end of the year for and extended working holiday (have a UK passport) and was thinking about fitting in an RTW before hand. I am what you would call an RTW virgin, have been doing plenty of reading on the many forums to try and work out the best way to plan my trip.

I am based in Perth and have to eventually get to Glasgow. It doesn’t matter if the trip finishes in Glasgow or has a return journey to Perth as I am unsure as to when I will head back home. Actually flying into Glasgow early in the journey could be the way to go as this is where I will be based in the UK so it would be good to dump a heap of my luggage before moving on. I guess this means I will need to finish the journey elsewhere and make my own way to Glasgow later on.

I want to do most of my travelling through South America, Mexico, North America and Canada. I can start my journey from either Perth or Glasgow (have enough Qantas FF points to get me a one way trip to Glasgow, or just include the Perth – Glasgow leg in the journey)
Here are the places I really want to visit in the Americas – Easter Island, Machu Picchu, Jamaica, Mexico, San Antonio, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Hawaii, Seattle, Anchorage, Chicago, Boston, New York, Washington, Miami, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. I know that I be finding my own way to most of these places, but am after the easiest way to fit this into a xONEx trip ( I assume this is what I would use), the most cost affective way to do this (am I better off starting in Glasgow or Perth, if I start in Perth, can I work my way through Glasgow first then the Americas). I may be interested in doing this in business class as I am 6’5” so unsure how I will handle the long haul flights.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

VR

 

[simongr]

One thing you might want to explore is a Global Explorer ticket. It is mileage based rather than continents (going to SA and NA will require a DONE5 as you must fly through Asia - thus is more expensive) and has options to fly on other carriers not just he core OW carriers.

 

[drron]

If you want to go to Easter Island(and I think it is a good idea)then a Global explorer ticket on One world is basically what you have to dn a xONEx you could backtrack from SCL to IPC but cuts back on other options.The difference apart from mileage is you can use codeshares that are not on OW metal eg the QF codeshare on air Tahiti Niue SYD-PPT then use the LAN flight PPT-IPC-SCL.Another good feature is that you can leave your flights open dated giving you greater flexibility.
Check it out here
oneworld - Global Explorer

 

[zan5hin]

Whew, that's a lot to figure out.

Firstly, if you are 6 foot 5, I think you would much prefer business class, I'm 6 foot and economy sucks for me, it must be hell for you.

I chose to start my DONE4 in Sth Africa, and got a very big discount over the purchase price for the same ticket from here.

What I did to really be cost effective, is use QFF points to get to Cape Town MEL-SYD-JNB-CPT. I have a thread about it here: 20 Segment DONE4 from JNB - Aussie Backpacker needs advice - FlyerTalk Forums

You could use your points on the scheduled PER-JNB flight, I don't think that one has premium economy though.

All your destinations seem to be on two continents and you are totally neglecting Asia, Europe and Africa, it just doesn't feel very RTW and you might be better off with a different sort of ticket. You have too many flights in North America to fit, as you are only allowed six with one trans-con. So you have to organise other flights to get to Mexico and Jamaica.

It is definitely doable if you just ship your extra baggage to Glasgow, it's a waste of segments to go there just for bagagge.

JNB-HKG-NRT-HNL-DFW-ANC-LAX-MIA-SCL-IPC-SCL-LIM-JFK-MBJ-ORD-LHR-DAR

Through American Airlines this LONE5 (economy 5 continents) would be about AU$4000 including taxes. A DONE5 (business class) would be about AU$8400. Unfortunately our dollar has dropped and the prices have gone up, I got my 20 segment DONE4 for AU$6000 in June.

If travelling economy it's really not worth going to Africa, just start in Europe, but for business class you are saving about $2500.

As long as you are allowed to go from NA to Sth America and back, then it's a valid routing. I am unsure on this rule.

PER-JNB-CPT on QFF Points
CPT-JNB on a low cost carrier (mango, onetime, kulula)
HKG-NRT-HNL (only flight from Asia to Hawaii, and you get to see Japan)

DFW-ANC-LAX (Dallas - make your way to San Antonio. http://www.vivaaerobus.com/us/destinations.htm get you from Austin to Mexico. Then connect through Monterrey back to your Dallas flight. Ancorage [seasonal flights though] and then from LA go overland to Phoenix, Vegas and San Francisco, back to LA)

MIA-SCL-IPC-SCL-LIM-JFK (Miami then Macchu Pichu and Easter Island via Santiago, back to NY and do boston and washington from new york)

ORD-SEA-LHR (Chicago and do Montreal Toronto from there, then to Seattle and do Vancouver and Calgary, then fly to London to transit)

Final flight is back to Africa, you can finish anywhere, I choose Dar al Salaam as it's the closest to Europe while still valid, so cheaper flight back to London than ending in Johannesburg.

There are always special deals for Jamaica flights and accommodation through Cheap Caribbean

 

[VelociRaptor]

If you want to go to Easter Island(and I think it is a good idea)then a Global explorer ticket on One world is basically what you have to dn a xONEx you could backtrack from SCL to IPC but cuts back on other options.The difference apart from mileage is you can use codeshares that are not on OW metal eg the QF codeshare on air Tahiti Niue SYD-PPT then use the LAN flight PPT-IPC-SCL.Another good feature is that you can leave your flights open dated giving you greater flexibility.

One thing you might want to explore is a Global Explorer ticket. It is mileage based rather than continents (going to SA and NA will require a DONE5 as you must fly through Asia - thus is more expensive) and has options to fly on other carriers not just he core OW carriers.

Hi guys, this seems to be the one to look into. Is there a good website where I can start planning the stops? I have used the oneworld Itinerary planner but this looks like it is better suited to oneworld explorer trips.

As zan5hin suggested, looks like South Africa is the place to book throgh at the moment for business class tickets.

 

[simongr]

Have you tried the new online tool that was released relatively recently?

RE South Africa bookings - don't forget you need to get there, award seats are not freely available in J and unless it provides a decent routing to your destination/target then it will add significant time to your journey.

I have thought about trying to book SYD-SA-UK as an alternative to syd-lhr to see if that creates more opportunities for awards but availability to SA was low.

 

[Platy]

You might find mileage monkey handy for route planning MileageMonkey 0.95014 and it is worth downloading the OneWorld timetables from their web site oneworld - Downloadable Timetables.

The rtw tix mentioned above (eg DONE5) are now limited to 16 flight segments with 6 in US region (only one transcontinental and to to/from Haswaii) and 4 in other regions so that ticket won't cover all your US stops, but could form a good backbone to the trip (either buy extra internal flights separately on US airline web sites such as www.aa.com - you can check out comparative pricing on sites such as Cheap Airline Tickets, Cheap Flights And Discount Airfares remembering that internal US flights can be bought very cheaply).

If you want to buy one of these rtw tickets to start from Europe sometimes they are cheaper in Scandanavia, otherwise popular starting points to save heaps on business class are Sth Africa (as above advice), Mauritius, Manila, Indonesia. To get the cheaper fare you need to buy from the airline or agent in that country! (many book through American Airlines rtw specialist US phone number and pay the local AA agent directly).

Most on this forum favour OneWorld (Qantas, British Airways, American Airlines, Cathay, etc), but mileage based rtw tickets can also be bought for Star Alliance airlines (Air NZ, Thai, United, etc) Round the World Fare - Star Alliance.

Travel agents may offer various airline combinations to construct a basic rtw itinerary to which you could add extra flights - for example Australian Travel Agent : Best Flights - discount travel - Travel Agent Australia.

However, if you stick with one alliance (OneWorld or Star) and go business class you will come back with a fair few frequent flyer points and Gold or even Platinum status.

 

[serfty]

There is also some very useful information/advice available in the 'stickies' at the top of:

• The FlyerTalk OneWorld Forum.

 

[VelociRaptor]

Okay I think I have two trips planned out, one taking off from South Africa and one from Manila

Here they are:

MNL - NRT - LAX make my own way to SEA - ORD - BOS - make my own way to DFW - MEX - MIA - LIM - SCL - GIG - LHR - GLA - LHR - HKG - MNL

or JNB - HKG - YVR - make my own way to SAN - SAT - DFW - MEX - MIA - JFK - GYE - LIM - SCL - GIG - LHR - GLA - LHR - JNB

They both seem valid on the oneworld Itinerary planner and I am pretty sure they are both xONE4 tickets?

Can anyone see if there are any issues or if there is better way to do these trips?

Cheers

VR

 

[Platy]

Okay I think I have two trips planned out, one taking off from South Africa and one from Manila

Here they are:

MNL - NRT - LAX make my own way to SEA - ORD - BOS - make my own way to DFW - MEX - MIA - LIM - SCL - GIG - LHR - GLA - LHR - HKG - MNL

or JNB - HKG - YVR - make my own way to SAN - SAT - DFW - MEX - MIA - JFK - GYE - LIM - SCL - GIG - LHR - GLA - LHR - JNB

They both seem valid on the oneworld Itinerary planner and I am pretty sure they are both xONE4 tickets?

Can anyone see if there are any issues or if there is better way to do these trips?

Cheers

VR

VR, your JNB trip is 5 continents by my count (Africa, Asia, N America, Sth America, Europe) thus a xONE5 based ticket.

I guess you have your reasons for which sectors you do "overland" (eg. you may be better putting the LHR-GLA-LHR side trip outside the rtw ticket IF you want to fly between BOS and DFW (and LAX and SEA?) etc).

If you enjoy planning all the trip details yourself, by enrolling onto a website such as www.expertflyer.com you can bring up the availability of seats in the class of travel (L for economy and D for business) and thus start to put some dates when flights are available against your itinerary and be ready to talk to the American Airlines round the world phone line to set up an actual booking!

Enjoy!

 

[VelociRaptor]

Hi Platy,

Cheers for that, yeah just noticed the JNB trip was an xONE5, will more than likely take off from the Manilla one though as it seems to be easier to get to/from Perth.

Will also look at removing the LHR - GLA - LHR segments as they are probably a waste and try and sort out the US flights.

Thanks for the web site link, will give it a go.

Cheers

VR

 

[VelociRaptor]

Okay I think I now have it sorted, and am pretty sure it is an xONE4.

Here is the trip now:

MNL - NRT - HNL - LAX - Ground to SEA - ORD - Ground to DCA - DFW - MEX - MIA - LIM - SCL - GIG - LHR - DXB - HKG - MNL

The oneworld Itinerary Planner says it is valid. I had to put in dates for all flights, but really only want to confirm the first and then book the rest as I go. I am not really constrained to any time limits, just to how far the finances go. If I do this on business class, are there any segments that I may have issues with not pre-booking?

I guess I need to look into visa requirements next, I have both a UK and Australian passport, so will need to research when each is more beneficial to use.

If anyone can see any glaring mistakes please let me know.

Cheers

VR

 

[serfty]

Hmmm ...

Asia-N/A-S/A-Eur-Asia ; OK that's an xONE4.

There's an easier 3rd party tool to use (no need to plug in dates) to check your routing, that's the Oneworld Explorer Validator or "MileageMonkey".

• Oneworld Explorer Validator

It even works out possible SC/TP/QMile earning for your route.

 

[Platy]

If I do this on business class, are there any segments that I may have issues with not pre-booking? VR

VelociRaptor, note that on domestic US flights there is no business class on most flights so on a business class rtw ticket you end up in first class.

Thus for most of your itinerary you need to check that there are D class (discount business) seats available and for domestic US flights A class (discount first).

On your US-central/south america flights (MEX, LIM) the aircraft will probably have business class so you will be in D class.

As mentioned you can do this yourself on the expertflyer web site. The number of spare seats (usually only up to 9 show on the system) is shown against the flight on such a web tool (eg. J8, D2, etc). This will give you an idea whether any of your flights may get booked up early!

Be careful because I found that some American Airlines flights suddenly seem to fill up a day or two before the intended date of travel!

Now there is another angle to this whole planning game! Serfty refers to the points and credits you can earn and mentions you can check this on the Mileage Monkey. IF you go business these can really add up. Aim to get a route that earns over 1400 satus credits to obtain top tier frequent floyer status of Platinum. Note that the more internal US domestic flights you do the quicker the status credits will add up (since you are travelling in first and not business and thus earn first class points and status credits) and the more longer sector flights you do the faster the points will add up!!!

So I also encourage you to play with the routes in mileage monkey and consult the table at the bottom of the page having filled in your route in the oneworld validator box. Of course the main thing is to get where you really want to go although it is not uncommon for folk to go Dallas-Anchorage (Alaska) and back, or London-Dubai or Muscat and back just to turbo charge their points and status credits all on he same ticket!!!

Let us know if you get into difficulties...

 

[VelociRaptor]

The points thing is not something I have really looked into before, I guess I should see what it gets me fore trying to get the higher status areas.

Again thanks for all the information, have plugged my route into mileage monkey and it validates succesfully - MNL-NRT-HNL-LAX,SEA-ORD,DCA-DFW-MEX-MIA-LIM-SCL-GIG-LHR-DXB-HKG-MNL

Cheers

VR

 

[Platy]

The points thing is not something I have really looked into before, I guess I should see what it gets me fore trying to get the higher status areas.

Again thanks for all the information, have plugged my route into mileage monkey and it validates succesfully - MNL-NRT-HNL-LAX,SEA-ORD,DCA-DFW-MEX-MIA-LIM-SCL-GIG-LHR-DXB-HKG-MNL

Cheers

VR

Just for your information, on that route you would earn about 42,000 points and 1,380 status credits.

You would earn a few more points and an extra 60 status credits (taking you over the 1400 threshold to reach Platinum) by going -LHR-SIN-NRT-MNL (but SIN-NRT can get heavily booked in D class) if you weren't fussed about going to Dubai.

After you reach Platinum status you get your base points doubled when you fly QF/BA/AA and access to OneWorld first class lounges, etc, which could be very nice for your subseqent trip!!!

(PS. I have been assuming you are already a member of the Qantas Frequnt Flyer scheme or would join before making your trip?!)

 

[VelociRaptor]

Yep, I am a frequent flyer memeber, just a lowly bronze

I assume the LHR-SIN-NRT-MNL is all transit with no stop over considering I started in Asia? I am quite happy to skip DBX if it means I reach Platinum.

 

[moa999]

Would also note going to Mex costs you SCs...

US-US is typically First/ Coach (although some LAX-JFK planes (for example are First/ Biz/ Coach)
wheereas US-Canada and US-Mexico/ Caribbean are Biz/ Coach

as always though (in my mind) at least a xONE ticket is part about SCs and part about visiting new destinations

 

[VelociRaptor]

Yeah I am probably more about going to see places I have never seen before. Have no idea how much travel I will do once I finished this trip. It will more and likely be travel within the UK and Europe as I am planning on living in Scotland for some time.

 

[Platy]

Yep, I am a frequent flyer memeber, just a lowly bronze

I assume the LHR-SIN-NRT-MNL is all transit with no stop over considering I started in Asia? I am quite happy to skip DBX if it means I reach Platinum.

VelociRaptor, you are allowed four flights per region and these could be connections or stopovers. Within SE Asia region you need one to get out of MNL (either to HKG or NRT).

So you could, for example, have stopovers in NRT (or HKG) and then also in SIN and NRT again. You can only go back to MNL once since it is your starting point.

Hope that makes sense...