Originally Posted by
mslise
Hello,
We're currently planning a DONE5 trip ex JNB. We've been reading these forums and found heaps of helpful info, but we hoped to have some final comments on our planned route.
So far we have: JNB-HKG (stop and travel around asia, separate economy tickets)-JFK-MIA(stop and travel to cuba, separate tickets)-GYE-SCL-IPC-SCL-GRU(or other exit from SAm?)-LHR-JNB
This is the bones of the trip, so we have 6 more sectors to use. Flying business is a treat so we want to make sure we're on routes that are worthwhile being in business.
Priorities are: Nicest planes/service, then mileage maximisation
1. What would be the best way to get from South America to Europe? We don't have to go through LHR, but from our reading seem to think we should avoid Iberia D class (and hence MAD) What about royal jordanian to AMM? Should we go from S America up through JFK then over, perhaps if nicer planes fly that route?
2. We are happy to pay for some economy flights, where it's not worth using sectors. Other thoughts we had were to go HKG-SIN-HKG, but there are such cheap economy flights around asia so is that a worthwhile use of 2 sectors? also on our wishlist are Egypt, Dubai, Mauritius, Vegas, Cuba, Mexico..
3. Any suggestions doing something tricky like JFK-LAX-MEX to get miles across N America? We can't seem to make it work without using lots of sectors.
4. It seems that the best way to book from south africa is to ring AA RTW desk and then pay through mindpearl. Will this be the cheapest/easiest way?
Appreciate any help!
Hi and welcome to FT!
In looking for "mileage maximisation" (are you British?) are you wanting maximum mileage for redemption purposes, or for airline FF plan status acquisition, or...? The reason for asking is that different FF plans have different methods for accumulating miles and status, often involving trade-offs (more redeemable miles v. higher status) that could influence your routing and itinerary, and always different methods of calculating your earnings - elite qualifying miles on AA, LA, IB, or tier points on BA, or sector credits on QF, and so on. Plus, some choices of route/carrier can have a big impact on FF earning and status, e.g. choosing between BA and AA for transatlantic travel means you can't (with specific exceptions) earn miles if using the "other" airline vis a vis your FF memberships.
So knowing where you live and where you usually fly, and/or knowing your airline preferences and what you want to achieve with your investment, apart from the sheer joy of traveling to new places... well, more information is needed.
Also, of course, a great deal of personal preference comes into play. I personally think Iberia's business class product is quite good, and I think Madrid airport is a joy to transit compared with (most) transits through Heathrow. Others may disagree.
I would also encourage you to look at Oneworld's continental air pass products, especially the one for South America, which offers excellent value and can allow you to make the most out of your time in SA, where distances are quite long.
One note also is that travel to Cuba might be more easily arranged from Mexico or South America than from Miami. And presumably you're aware of the prohibition of any AA segments on an RTW ticket that includes travel to Cuba (hence keep it out of the conversation with AA.)
But I'd recommend you start by clarifying your FF aims as well as where you'd like to go, given it's a big world and that a business class RTW ticket is a remarkable tool with which to explore it.