Does anyone remember the precursor to this show called 'The Human Rat Race'? Almost the same premise, except it was just a RTW scavenger hunt (and it wasn't televised). First one back to NYC wins.
For this contest, I believe you were given a stack of flight coupons valid on certain airlines for travel to anywhere you wanted to go.
Given that these people know where they're going to be flying, I imagine it's a little easier for the producers to just give them flight vouchers for that segment of the trip.
My two pennies,
Lawrence
[This message has been edited by pseudoswede (edited 04-30-2002).]