Originally Posted by
ajnaro
I would appreciate comments and help on the following itinerary:
tlv-mad-gig-scl-ipc-scl-gig-jfk-hnd-bkk-nrt-han-hkg-ams-hel-mad-tlv
Although I used to buy A, I am thinking of D this time because most of the routes don’t offer first at all. I need to decide whether to start in tlv or amn and would appreciate help with how to buy tickets in these two cities. The recent price changes don’t seem to be relevant to my route, but I could start elsewhere. I really do want gig, ipc, and jfk in the route; the rest of the destinations are for tourism and are changeable for more scenic places or more mileage. I don’t know if fuel surcharges are relevant, but I suppose my ticket would be issued by IB in tlv or AA in amn.
I believe I've heard that using the online tool has been difficult for itineraries using IB as the first carrier, so that might work against you; the alternative would be BA out of TLV which of course would expose you to BA fuel fines.
I've had good experience working with AA's Israeli GSA, Tal Aviation, but that was with Tal's Swedish office at ARN. However since Tal is an Israeli company you might try setting up an itinerary with the AA RTW desk and having it issued by Tal as AA's agent in TLV.
Alternatively, you could start in Jordan and use the online tool without the RTW desk's intervention. You might use the North America "second entry exemption" and try a route like AMM-xJFK-GIG-SCL-IPC-SCL-GIG-JFK-HND-BKK-NRT-HAN-HKG-AMS-HEL-MAD-TLV for a few more miles.