Star Alliance - First Time RTW

Hello all, just joined FlyerTalk, can't believe how much info there's here. I'm planning to go on my first RTW, using the Star Lite RTW ticket from Star Alliance. I'm planning to go to Australasia, and then jump over to Israel and then London, so it would be East going West. I have a few questions (I apologize in advance if they are blatantly obvious)

1. I have downloaded the Excel file describing how much the different tiers of RTW cost. However, there is no pricing info for Star Lite. Does anyone know how much it costs?

2. From the Excel file, I see that at times it is cheaper to buy the RTW in a different country (let's us Fiji for example), than buying it in your home country (USA for example). How does one go about doing that (do you travel to the different country, order the ticket there, or purchase the ticket in the home country, but start off in the new country?) Sorry if that question is confusing.

3. Open jaws/on your own. Since this is my first time doing a RTW, I would like some leeway and options when traveling, like taking my time going up from Singapore to KL and REALLY taking my time in Thailand, Laos, etc. etc. Does the Star Lite/RTW1 (I guess) allow flexibility? I'm looking more in terms of time than location.

4. I know that it is possible to plan your own way when traveling, and possibly finding cheaper alternatives in regards to flying. What are the benefits of a RTW instead of going it yourself?

I apologize if questions like these have already been asked and answered. Thanks!
-Yoner

Welcome to FT, Yoner.

I'll try to answer some of your questions but others may have more personal information that I do.

1. Star "light" is not sold in some countries, in particular the USA. It is sold in Canada, however, with a current price of US$3560, which will probably be going up as the Bush Peso is overtaken by the Loonie (may have happened today for all I know.) By comparison, the Y10STRW1 bought in the US is $3662, and since the Star Light is for 26,000 miles and the STRW1 is for 29,000 miles the $100 difference seems negligible given you'd need to get to Canada to start the trip anyway.

2. You pay the higher of (a) the local price where you buy the ticket or (b) the local price where you begin the RTW. The exception to the rule is that you can buy a foreign-priced ticket in Canada for the foreign price, but you still have to travel to the originating country (e.g. Fiji) to activate the ticket and begin the trip. Thus you need to add the cost of accessing someplace like Fiji to the RTW ticket price (and don't forget to get home when it's over, too.)

3. The Star Light is a 12-month product just like the "heavies" (for lack of a better term.) Pretty much the same provisions re changing flight dates and all that.

4. The chief benefits are (a) cheaper in most cases, especially when long haul flights are involved, (b) flexibility re date changes and flight selection, and (c) proof of onward travel - especially useful for "gap year" and other long-term travelers. Try pricing Auckland - Los Angeles - London one way in coach and see how it compares to RTW prices.

Others can chime in with additions or corrections. Again, welcome to FT!

Gardyloo, thanks for your answers, they were very informative. In regards to the prices you mentioned, does that include tax and fees (ie total) or before all other charges?

Gardyloo, thanks for your answers, they were very informative. In regards to the prices you mentioned, does that include tax and fees (ie total) or before all other charges?

Nope. It does not include fuel surcharges nor taxes.

... Australasia, and then jump over to Israel and then London, so it would be West going East.Erm ... why isn't this 'East going West'?

cheers,

Henry

D'oh!