I have now booked 3 RTW flights - one in econ, on in PE and one in business (summers of 2023, 2024 and for 2025).
I build up the routing in the *A online tool, and/or keep track of legs with available seats through expertflyer.
Then call the UA premier desk and ask to be connected with the round-the-world desk. Then build up the itinerary and put it on a free hold over the phone.
I have asked the LH desk to build up itineraries over email. But it’s slow - email and get a response 4-6h later, repeat…
Plus booking on LH tickets has drastically lower PQP earning on UA. So booking with UA directly is better, plus the price is pretty much the same.
Our business RTW ex-USA was $45k for 4 ppl. Starting it in TYO was $25.5k B-). Needed to book a positioning flight to TYO but have the first flight already for summer 2026!
Booking ex-TYO in J soon for 2025 and for the first time doing RTW! Will see how PlusPoints play out on NH Z - trying to fly The Suite for the first time.
FYI if you can position to CAI, the fare is like $1000-1300 cheaper than TYO in J and it is bookable