The mods might want to move this to the newbie question thread, but I'm happy to take a shot at your questions in the meantime. My wife and I started RTWing a few years ago and I had many of the same Qs.
Originally Posted by
stan1162
So Many Questions...
We are a retired couple who travel. End of 2025 or Jan 2026 we are starting to explore Asia. We think a RTW is the way to go.
1. OneWorld Global Explorer vs One World Explorer. We will be buying Business Class tix. We would like the most bang for the buck ( cost). Is one better than the other. We plan to us all 16 segments.
The DGLOB34 (Global Explorer) costs the same as a DONE4. The only reasons I can see going for the DGLOB34 are that you want to fly the couple of airlines you can't on a DONE4 (but maybe with Fiji joining OW that will be less or an issue) or there is some way to get to 5 or more continents in the 34k flown miles you are limited to on a DGLOB34.
2. We can start the ticket any North American city. I've read Canada is a good place to start ( lower fees)?
Get a trial subscription to Expert Flyer. You can get the RTW base fares and rules from there. Canada is better than the US. But they are much cheaper starting in certain countries in Europe (esp. OSL, ARN, BUD, REK, HEL) or Asia (Japan, India, Sri Lanka). From the east coast, positioning to REK or OSL and starting there could be the way to go (or to Japan from the west coast).
3. We would like to go to Japan, Viet Nam, Thailand, Singapore, at least. We have unlimited time. Great Circle Mapper is a good resource, I've been playing around with it. Any Asia experts think of a good order we should go?
If you want to explore Asia, it might be better to start in Europe, since you are limited to 2 stopovers in your continent of origin. Also: flights within Asia can be quite cheap, esp. within SEA. And easier, since you won't need to be on MH or CX all the time. So you don't need to go everywhere on the RTW.
4. We have been toying with making it a two trip ticket. Asia in early 2026, coming back to US for Spring, then heading back out later in the year, using the full 12 months time limit.
5. We dont mind zig zagging and backtracking.
6. Maximizing mileage and minimizing $$$.
7. Should we status match with AA right before we but the tickets? We have no AA status.
Sure. But keep in mind that when you are flying business, the only thing status really gets you is higher mileage earning (but on AA that's only on the airlines you get crappy spend-based earnings on anyway, I believe) and, if you can get Emerald status, first-class lounges and check-in (which can be quite nice). If this is likely to become a new lifestyle, crediting to BA, AY, or QR might make sense.
8. Use AA credit Card or Chase Saph Reserve? Thoughts?
Personally I find 3 URs > 2 AAs, since I like transferring to Hyatt and for the odd United flight. You may also find you have plenty of AA if that's where you are crediting your flights. But (wait for it), your mileage may vary.
I'm not asking for anyone to make a route, really just asking if I'm on the right track in what I should be paying attention to in order to make a RTW work and work it to its full advantage. And are these questions/thoughts in my head important, not just the route, but the other piddly things like status matching and which CC matter.
thanks for reading, and any suggestions that would help me plan
J