Clacko, here are the economics. Now understand, there is no accounting for the economic value of one's time. For some people, it's worthless. Bill Gates or Andy Grove would feel differently about theirs.

Lets assume you live in New Orleans, want to do a 5 continent, want to leave on Feb 15 and return on Mar 15 and want to fly in First class. Fares are from Expedia, simple search, and assume $300 taxes on the RTW.

New Orleans:
RTW Base $9700
RTW Tax $300
Total $10000

London:
Trip to London (coach) $512
RTW Base $10528
RTW Tax $300
Total $11340

Jo'burg:
Trip to Jo'burg (coach) $1800
RTW Base $4958
RTW Tax $300
Total $7058

So is your time and energy worth about $3000? Mine is, since I don't get paid all that much. It takes me three months to make $3000, and it would take me 3 or 4 days of flying to go down there.

It makes far more sense for someone from London. The trip down there is only about $600 at the most, so they can save a lot. Otherwise, for you, it would be easier and less taxing on your body to leave from somewhere like Stockholm, where it would cost closer to $8000 after factoring in the flight over, base, and taxes. By the way, the star alliance fares out of Jo'burg are arguably better than the OW alliance at this point. If Dorian's page is right, a 39K trip in First is about $3800 plus tax. My understanding is that the OW alliance has tried to keep their fares about 5% to 10% less than the *A, but they are beginning to fail at this. Some are even more....



[This message has been edited by Darren (edited 11-30-2001).]