Salt - You can issue the tickets for travel anytime. But remember that you must still return to Budapest to originate the flight.

But what you can do is buy a cheapie Saturday night overnight return. Go to Budapest. Issue the ticket on BA. And return on that day using the RTW ticket. You may 'discard' the return on your cheapie ticket because you have no intention of staying overnight anyway. However, I suggest a weekend getaway to Budapest. Beautiful city. Really good value for money in terms of accomodation and food.

The first sector of the RTW must be booked. But all subsequent sectors can be left OPEN and then you can then proceed from LHR where you are based. You stuck by the rules anyway.

If you decide to change your routing after that first flight from Budapest, you are permitted one reissue free of charge.

Please remember to get BA in LHR to book the entire routing first. You don't have to say that the ticket is for you. Ask them to make the reservation in all the respective names you want. Then say that this person will pick up the ticket at the airport about 2 hours prior to departure. The Oneworld RTW rules state that tickets may be issued up to ONE HOUR prior to departure. HOWEVER, BA may insist that the ticket be issued by a deadline.

Unfortunately, even though in theory all Oneworld airlines have the same rules in issuing this ticket, it is still up to the issuing airline to have the final say on how and when they want you to have the ticket issued.

[This message has been edited by Guy Betsy (edited 10-06-2000).]