Originally Posted by
MadProfessor
- Is there anyway to avoid the dreaded BA YQ while still starting on BA metal TLV-LHR?
- Can anybody suggest a good way to use up the remaining segments of my current itinerary? We'd like to go to interesting place but our other priorities are F segments and tier points. I guess we could do some more segments in Europe? My current itinerary is looking like:
TLV-LHR-LAX-DFW-YVR-JFK-HKG-HND-SIN-SYD-MEL-SIN-LHR-TLV
You can use IB in/out of TLV to avoid BA fuel fines (but no F), or may be able to find codeshares on BA (EF is a great help with that).
It's not true F, but I enjoy adding AA sectors to the Caribbean, since that counts as North America (even if you go to, say, Curaçao which is right off Venezuela).
Originally Posted by
ajnaro
I find it MUCH easier to think out the routing using EF, with help from MileageMonkey and FT input, then set up the ticket with AA in the USA by phone, and then issue through an accredited travel agent.
I like using EF to research flight options, then use the on-line tool to plan specific sectors/dates/times, since that makes it easy to see how the connections are going, elapsed days, etc. Then I use the summary from the on-line tool when calling the AA RTW desk, and just read off the cities, dates, and flights. I then ticket with an in-country AA office. If you use an independent agent, be sure it's one that can take over and issue PNRs set up by AA (many can't because they don't use Sabre).
Originally Posted by
Gardyloo
Or, if time allows, have a look at an AONE5 ex-South Africa, which is around US$1000 cheaper than an AONE4 ex-Israel, and which would give you access to even more "true F" longhaul segments, hence an even greater tier point harvest.
Yes, ex-JNB can be great, but does require some care to be sure to book code shares when it's cheaper. I use the on-line tool to price a base itinerary, then change some flights to code shares and re-price to see if it increases or lowers the "taxes."