Originally Posted by
kchika
This will be my first RTW
and the planned route is as follows (47,806 miles according to MileageMonkey):
WAW-xLHR-DXB-xLHR-HKG-NRT-HKG-DPS-HKG-JFK-YVR-DFW-ANC-DFW-SFO-LHR-WAW
1) Is this the best way of maximizing a RTW given that a) my primary residence is HKG, b) I'm currently in LON and will need to be in DXB next week, and c) I have to go to YVR to attend a wedding in August? :-:
2) Having searched FT, Poland seems to be the cheapest country if I were to originate from Europe. However, oneworld.com suggests that there does not seem to be as much of a difference (and in some cases often cheaper) when compared to originating from other parts of Europe.
The current itinerary prices out at 22,300 PLN (or 7,630 USD). Originating from France/Germany/Italy/etc. prices out at 5,609 EUR (or 7,490 USD). Both prices are exclusive of taxes and surcharges.
As such, am I better off starting my RTW elsewhere? If so, where? @:-)
3) I'm free to re-jiggle the NA sectors. Any tips?
This trip will give me 59,500 club miles, i.e. approximately half way to requalification of CX Diamond.
As usual, any help or suggestions are highly appreciated!
In USD terms, the UK is actually the cheapest western European start point for the time being. It complicates routes because you can't transit the start point or re-enter the originating country more than once (i.e. at the end of the trip) which is a serious pain where LHR is involved.
However in USD terms Jordan is over US$1000 cheaper for a DONE3 base price, and you ought to be able to get to AMM from London for under $1000. Plus (and this is a big, big plus) if you ticket using the online tool with RJ as your first carrier (first segment would be AMM-DXB) the actual ticket issuance is performed by AA. AA doesn't add BA fuel surcharges, which can amount to another $500 - $1000+ in bottom line savings. RJ's business class product gets rave reviews, too.
Israel is also cheaper (USD6200) but the Israeli stamp in your passport might cause trouble in DXB. Plus, Israel only has flights out to AMM, MAD, LHR and BUD, so getting promptly to DXB would be a nuisance.
If the cost and timing work for you, I'd look at a route something like AMM-DXB-xLHR-HKG-NRT-HKG-DPS-HKG-JFK-YVR-DFW-ANC-ORD-SFO-LHR-MCT-AMM, which is around 1200 miles farther than your original itinerary.