Originally Posted by
Blumie
I've done several xONExs and have spent a lot of time researching on this board, yet everytime I book a new trip, I feel like a neophyte and end up posting some basic questions on here!
I'm NYC based, but plan to start my trip elsewhere so I can fly back to NYC without terminating the ticket. I'm thinking:
MIA-LAX (to get the 3-class 777) on AA
LAX-SYD on a QF A380, followed by four segments in the region
SYD-HKG, followed by four segments in Asia, probably ending up in BKK
BKK-LHR, so I can get another ride on a QF A380, followed by four segments in Europe
LHR-JFK.
So here are my questions:
1. Am I correct that if I do this as planned, I will still have five segments available in N. America?
2. Am I correct that my LHR-JFK flight can not be less than 10 days following my LAX-SYD flight? Any way around this (e.g., flying to Canada instead of JFK)?
3. Is there anywhere along my route where I might be able to buy a second, cheaper xONEx? In the past, I've saved a lot of money purchasing tickets in BKK and ICN, but looking at current fares I'm not seeing anything all that convenient (I'm not planning to hop over to Sudan or South Africa!).
1. I don't think so. I think you've used up your max 16 segments by maxing out the in-continent (ha ha?) limits. You'll need to skip some allowed segments someplace. Otherwise, yes, you'd have any remaining segments of the 16 allowed within the US/Canada.
2. I believe Canada doesn't qualify as "international" in this context, but Mexico probably does. Probably depends on who at the airline (presumably AA) is looking at it.
3. If you wanted to use TLV or AMM as one of your European stops, premium-cabin OWE's are favorably priced in USD terms in Israel and Jordan. I'd be tempted to try RJ's longhaul J service to JFK or ORD myself - it's gotten great reviews.