Originally Posted by
headinclouds
Are you aware the business/1st class RTW ex-UK are some of the most expensive fares? It is the economy class RTW ex-UK that are the bargains. As for ticketing, as christep has stated, set it up with AA RTW desk. Then take a weekend trip to Toronto and buy the ticket at the AA ticket desk at the airport.
Thanks! Re: going to Toronto, is it really necessary to physically show up, since it's an e-ticket? I was hoping not to have to make a trip!
Re: the economics, thanks for pointing this out. I've been crunching the numbers. The way I figure it, it's all relative, but UK seems to make sense.
DONE5 from the U.S. = $10,400 (I think you have to add the continent, you touch Europe between Asia and N. Am., right? If not, still, DONE4 = $9,100)
DONE4 from South America = $8,400
DONE4 from Europe = ~$7,560
DONE4 from the UK = ~$6,565
I think the current exchange rate between the dollar and the pound makes this a relatively good time to buy from the UK--a $4000 difference is very much worth it! That is, if you are willing to pay the premium for business class in the first place. Some aren't, that's fine.
I am well aware that A&D fares from South Africa and S. Korea are much better. DONE4 ex-ICN is $4857. But I want to start in South America and S. Korea kills that. Plus it's a much longer and more expensive flight from JFK to ICN and back. An extra $1610 for a nonstop RT flight plus 15 hours sitting in coach each way? The S. Korean advantage completely disappears. South Africa is no better.
LHR is easy and cheap to get to from NYC, and a fairly short flight. But if there's some other starting point that is cheap and makes sense I'm all ears!