Originally Posted by
allset2travel
I am back.
Acknowledging current sentiment about best countries to originate a RTW includes but not limited to ex-ARN, ex-MCT, ex-WAW and ex-HEL. Here I am, after hashing out various itin possibilities, I now focus on these 2. Warning: Lots of rookie questions.
Itin 1 - ARN-LHRx-LAX- ORD-ANC-DFW-SFO-JFK-HKG –BOM-SIN-NRT-SYD-LHR-MCT-LHRx-ARN
FARE: DONE4 US$9,181 + $597.74 (taxes) = US$9,778.74 {I got this online without calling}
MILES before bonus (from milecalc dat com): 58,129 miles. {note: MileageMonkey shows 60,254 miles, and red-flags 2 segments (ORD_ANC; HKG_BOM) as no OW service.
Total segments = 16
Question 1: Is the above current and lowest fare available from AA and NOT from BA?
Question 2: Is milecalc give the most accurate mile count? I have used mileagemonkey also.
Question 3: re non-RTW access to ARN from SFO, how else can I leverage the Plat challenge (I am looking at calendar mid-year 2010)?
Itin 2 - MCT-LHRx -LAX-ORD-ANC-DFW-SFO-JFK-HKG-DEL- NRT-BKK-SIN-PER-SYD-LHR-MCT
FARE: DONE4 OMR3,250 {I got this online without calling; and think it is before taxes & surcharge, right??}; exchange rate 1 OMR = US$2.6008 {unsure if it is current??}
MILES before bonus (from MileageMonkey): 57,291 miles.
Total segments = 16
Fares = US$8,452.26 (using above exch rate)
Question 1. MCT-LHRx-ARN (BA flights only; can’t find AA codeshare); same true for last segment LHR-MCT. Does this prevent me from having AA to issue ticket? (think fuel surcharge & taxes of course.)
Question 2: How can I find out the EXACT fares plus all surcharges? (same Q for itin 1 as well)
Question 3: With Itin 2, can I have tickets issued by AA. (trying to avoid BA & its related taxes + surcharges)?
Question 4: re access trip to MCT, is this {SFO-DFW-LHR-AUH-MCT-AUH-LHR-LAX-SFO} the best in terms of miles & cost (RT fares about US$2,000 ai)?
General questions applied to both itins:
1. I often work on a new itin on different computers, is there a way to port itin from one computer to another, including all the already chosen flights?
2. What other items I need to address before I call the AA OW desk (e.g. possible seasonal discount; US greenback value etc…)?
3. When do you think I ought to ticket if my first segment takes place in May 2010?
4. What possible enhancement of above itins in terms of miles (more) and $ (less)?
5. Which site do you use for mileage calculation, milecalc, mileagemonkey or others? (OW site somehow does not show miles early in flight search stage, or am I missing something?)
I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. Thanks.
I will take a crack at this; others may have different/better answers...
Specific questions -
Itinerary 1 -
1. Don't know - it's probably using the new (post 10% sale) fare from ARN. Subtract the fare shown on the OW website from the quote you've gotten (converting to SEK) and look at the "taxes" subtotal (opens in a new window.) If you see a scary big number next to YQ-fuel surcharges for BA, then it's BA issuing the ticket. If not, then maybe AA.
2. See answer below.
3. You need 10K EQP during the 3-month challenge period, using AA codes. Go to the AA or Mileage Run Discussion board for pointers on the challenges - you'll get plenty of help.
Itinerary no. 2 -
1. You can't use an AA code (most of the time) on flights that aren't connecting directly off of / on to AA metal flights. If you were going MCT-xLHR-LAX it would be easy; as far as I know no other airlines codeshare MCT-LHR with BA besides AA. 1b - AA will issue the ticket, no problem. You'll have to do it through humans rather than the web tool, however.
2. You'll have to (a) rely on the online tool, or (b) phone the AA RTW people and have them send if off to their tariff office in Ireland.
3. Yes, no problem.
4. Have a look at originating in AMM or TLV - I think you'll find those countries are now the "cheapest" European points of origin for DONExs.
General questions -
1. Can't say.
2. Nothing; just have your flights and dates pinned down. They need to assemble the whole shebang and send it off to their tariff people.
3. Depends on your currency risk tolerance. If paying in USD, the current times are pretty miserable. However, in the past there have been a couple of fare increases annually (different places at different times) one of which "traditionally" has been around late January - early February. No guarantees of anything of course. Also note the spot price of oil is heading up, so fuel surcharges are only likely to get worse in that environment.
4. Depends on where you want to go, and when. See (4) above.
5. I use the
Great Circle Mapper. Mileage Monkey is also good.
Hope I haven't goofed up the order of questions/answers.