enjoystravel
Aug 5, 02, 12:05 am
For business or first class travel from India, RTWs are the best way to go. Star and OneWorld have their lower tier rates in India (about $4K in biz and $6K in F for 3 continent or 29K as appropriate). There are no advance purchase requirements (unlike the 1 week in North America). Availability is usually very good out of India (First on BA from Bombay is sometimes hard but then you can reroute from DEL).
For those in the tech and biotech industries travelling out of Bangalore there are increasing options now (LH flies direct to BLR and Malaysian now flies direct from BLR-KUL as well).
The fares used to be 50% of the current fares just 2 to 3 years ago but the airlines have been harmonizing fares around the world and unfortunatley that meant rupee fares have more than doubled.
SQ has special RTW fares (SQ only, SQ+Virgin, SQ+CO). I understand that AI + CO offer a special RTW fare in business via NRT (only 3 days a week but the fare is a real deal).
I understand that some of the specialists in India offer 50% discounts in business or First though I have not found them. Some travel agents seem to discount 5% to 8% but then charge you an additional 2 to 3% for Credit card (which I strongly recommend using to protect against fraud or bankruptcy).
For those in the tech and biotech industries travelling out of Bangalore there are increasing options now (LH flies direct to BLR and Malaysian now flies direct from BLR-KUL as well).
The fares used to be 50% of the current fares just 2 to 3 years ago but the airlines have been harmonizing fares around the world and unfortunatley that meant rupee fares have more than doubled.
SQ has special RTW fares (SQ only, SQ+Virgin, SQ+CO). I understand that AI + CO offer a special RTW fare in business via NRT (only 3 days a week but the fare is a real deal).
I understand that some of the specialists in India offer 50% discounts in business or First though I have not found them. Some travel agents seem to discount 5% to 8% but then charge you an additional 2 to 3% for Credit card (which I strongly recommend using to protect against fraud or bankruptcy).