RTW with Delta and United
Feb 17, 2017, 10:42 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,368
You probably have enough to do this (for one person) with either FF program. DL will use SkyTeam and other partner carriers, which UA will use Star Alliance and possibly additional bilateral partners. You could start here by searching in the DL or UA (and possibly SkyTeam and Star Alliance) fora for threads on RTW (round the world) award tickets or by searching for this information on the DL, UA, SkyTeam, and *A websites.
Very generally, you get something like up to 16 segments (where open jaws are counted) for a fixed number of miles (which might increase if the total mileage exceeds some allowance--this is how RTW tickets paid with money generally work) that must be booked in some specific fare classes, so availability matters. You must proceed in the same direction, although returns to a hub without doing an additional stopover there are generally allowed. You generally must make something like at least three stops on two continents. Changes inn dates and flight times often are allowed after departure. You can travel for a maximum of twelve months. However, each FF program/alliance has different rules, so YMMV.
Another tip is to call DL and UA to ask for the RTW desk during business hours. They're typically staffed by extremely experienced agents who know the rules and can be very helpful.
Very generally, you get something like up to 16 segments (where open jaws are counted) for a fixed number of miles (which might increase if the total mileage exceeds some allowance--this is how RTW tickets paid with money generally work) that must be booked in some specific fare classes, so availability matters. You must proceed in the same direction, although returns to a hub without doing an additional stopover there are generally allowed. You generally must make something like at least three stops on two continents. Changes inn dates and flight times often are allowed after departure. You can travel for a maximum of twelve months. However, each FF program/alliance has different rules, so YMMV.
Another tip is to call DL and UA to ask for the RTW desk during business hours. They're typically staffed by extremely experienced agents who know the rules and can be very helpful.
Feb 17, 2017, 10:48 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,980
The t&c's RTW Round the World cash fares will not be the same as award tickets.
Most airline frequent flyer programs do not allow stop over on awards. Unsure in DL & UA allow stopovers.
So you are up for a series of point to point awards.
Where do you want to go?
When?
What class?
Consider these http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...e-reviews.html
Awards assistance tools
Use at your own risk. These may not be up to date. (These are not recommendations)
These links give a guide of ff miles needed. Availability is from the airline ffp web sites/phone.
Award flights are never guaranteed. You need to be flexible with date and route.
Frequent flyer miles/points are not equal to or burn. They are not 1 to 1
If a multi segment award check the rules/cost carefully. With some ffp’s it can be 2 or more awards or cost more ff miles/points than a direct flight.
If the award is on partner airline it may cost more miles/points than an award on the ffp airline.
Some awards/airlines/routes can have cash surcharges, in addition to real taxes.
Real taxes/regulatory fees are the same for all airlines on the same route/class. Some carrier imposed surcharges can trigger additional real taxes
-AwardAce: Compare Award Redemptions Across Airlines In Seconds --> http://www.awardace.com/ Has surcharge indication
-Economical Excursionist's Tools to compare Frequent Flyer Mile Redemptions --> http://www.flyermiler.com/
-http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ast-miles.html --> http://www.awardhacker.com/
Other posts/threads by orangeblossom on the same topic
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-oneworld.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...stop-over.html [2014]
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...l#post22516283 [2014]
Most airline frequent flyer programs do not allow stop over on awards. Unsure in DL & UA allow stopovers.
So you are up for a series of point to point awards.
Where do you want to go?
When?
What class?
Consider these http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...e-reviews.html
Awards assistance tools
Use at your own risk. These may not be up to date. (These are not recommendations)
These links give a guide of ff miles needed. Availability is from the airline ffp web sites/phone.
Award flights are never guaranteed. You need to be flexible with date and route.
Frequent flyer miles/points are not equal to or burn. They are not 1 to 1
If a multi segment award check the rules/cost carefully. With some ffp’s it can be 2 or more awards or cost more ff miles/points than a direct flight.
If the award is on partner airline it may cost more miles/points than an award on the ffp airline.
Some awards/airlines/routes can have cash surcharges, in addition to real taxes.
Real taxes/regulatory fees are the same for all airlines on the same route/class. Some carrier imposed surcharges can trigger additional real taxes
-AwardAce: Compare Award Redemptions Across Airlines In Seconds --> http://www.awardace.com/ Has surcharge indication
-Economical Excursionist's Tools to compare Frequent Flyer Mile Redemptions --> http://www.flyermiler.com/
-http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ast-miles.html --> http://www.awardhacker.com/
Other posts/threads by orangeblossom on the same topic
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-oneworld.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...stop-over.html [2014]
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...l#post22516283 [2014]
Feb 18, 2017, 11:07 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,256
You probably have enough to do this (for one person) with either FF program. DL will use SkyTeam and other partner carriers, which UA will use Star Alliance and possibly additional bilateral partners. You could start here by searching in the DL or UA (and possibly SkyTeam and Star Alliance) fora for threads on RTW (round the world) award tickets or by searching for this information on the DL, UA, SkyTeam, and *A websites.
Very generally, you get something like up to 16 segments (where open jaws are counted) for a fixed number of miles (which might increase if the total mileage exceeds some allowance--this is how RTW tickets paid with money generally work) that must be booked in some specific fare classes, so availability matters. You must proceed in the same direction, although returns to a hub without doing an additional stopover there are generally allowed. You generally must make something like at least three stops on two continents. Changes inn dates and flight times often are allowed after departure. You can travel for a maximum of twelve months. However, each FF program/alliance has different rules, so YMMV.
Another tip is to call DL and UA to ask for the RTW desk during business hours. They're typically staffed by extremely experienced agents who know the rules and can be very helpful.
Very generally, you get something like up to 16 segments (where open jaws are counted) for a fixed number of miles (which might increase if the total mileage exceeds some allowance--this is how RTW tickets paid with money generally work) that must be booked in some specific fare classes, so availability matters. You must proceed in the same direction, although returns to a hub without doing an additional stopover there are generally allowed. You generally must make something like at least three stops on two continents. Changes inn dates and flight times often are allowed after departure. You can travel for a maximum of twelve months. However, each FF program/alliance has different rules, so YMMV.
Another tip is to call DL and UA to ask for the RTW desk during business hours. They're typically staffed by extremely experienced agents who know the rules and can be very helpful.
