Originally Posted by
Ropedancer
Fantastically useful forum and thanks esp to Pandaperth for the Wiki!
I am trying to construct a 12 month One World (4 continent) RTW starting from Sydney in March 2025. The actual route and stops/segments are less an issue than the Unavailable Dates for such a long trip. Admittedly I tend to plan and book too far ahead, but if I was to book in October, then 3 or 4 of the 9 flights would have to have dummy dates, I know that the rules imply that these date changes should be at no cost but how likely is that to be the case? And especially if I am forced (via the first flight) to have the ticket managed via Qantas?
I would very much appreciate the opinions of you experts on ....
1. Whether "Unavailable date" changes are likely to be at No cost in this scenario?
2. Whether I can choose AA as the ticket manager as I belive they are easier to deal with than Qantas?
3. Whether I should just relax and make the booking much later?
In short, I don't want to pay 3 or 4 date changes at $USD125 each but very unsure of the best way around this for a 12 month trip.
Thanks in advance for your help. And please let me know if there is critical information I have ommitted.
William
Call the AA RTW desk and book with them. Their 800 number, free when calling using Skype, is +1.800.247.3247. Date and time changes are free after flying first international flight segment per ONE rules, although QF has made up their own rules and anecdotal evidence suggests they are charging for any and all changes, and it appears they are difficult to work with. I would avoid booking with QF at all costs. AA will want to book you on AA TPAC and TATL marketed flights; whether it's their own metal or their codeshare flights on QF, BA, AY, IB, QR, CX, JL, MH, etc. I have found in the past when booking AONEn that they will make exceptions when,
for example, CX has A3 and the AA codeshare of the same flight has A0, they will then book me on the CX flight number.
You did not indicate what class of service you were booking, but I assume you are looking at an economy LONE4 since the Australia and Japan prices are very close to similar, 3614 AUD and 3397 AUD respectively. If you are considering business or first class then you should really consider booking your DONE4 or AONE4 ex-Japan and take a positioning flight from Australia to HND to start your xONE4 as it is almost half the price ex-Japan. DONE4 or AONE4 ex-Australia are 14,986 AUD and 20,862 AUD respectively; whereas DONE4 or AONE4 ex-Japan are 7,913 AUD and 11,991 AUD respectively.
Making your booking much later may result in inventory not being available for some of your desired flights. I am doing planning right now for an Oct 2025 AONE4 which will end in October 2026. I have determined that I need by book by mid-February at the latest with dummy bookings for my 2026 summer and fall flights. Then once I take my first flight in October 2025, in November 2025 I'll book the remaining summer and fall 2026 flights. Keep in mind when booking with AA you can only book 330 days out; whereas with most airlines outside the US you can book at around 360 days out. I also suggest getting a subscription to EF (Expert Flyer) as it will be invaluable for doing research and checking on L, D, and/or A class availability.