two airline combination RTW
 

following some RTW discussions, a two airline combination RTW might be cheaper than a RTW from a global alliance.

targeting a trip like FRA-GRU-LAX-HNL-NRT-SIN-FRA, which can be done on UA + LH, the question is: is there a two airline combination RTW UA + LH available?

no - at least not for 'starts' in Europe.

not for USA and India either.

If you don't have your heart set on HNL, try SQ/RG on

FRA-JFK-GRU-LAX-NRT-SIN-FRA

AC: Does that combination exist...sounds very appealing, actually. I'd love to do some exploring of LATAM, but might be pricy (as any RTW combination which goes below the equator is...)

jl

You should look at booking with one of the alliances. Star Alliance has a RTW fare but is pricey and has restrictions.

OneWorld has a OneWorld Explorer fare which would allow you to price your itinerary to regions you land in and you can fly on any of the partners.

Two weeks ago I was researching this topic
and found on the DL website a reference to RTW redeem info: WT11 and WT21 for 140,000 and 220,000 miles. A quick call to DL for
info gave me JFK-BOM-SEL-JFK.

For other reasons I gave up on the idea -
So It is possible with Skyteam.

I was checking the LH Canada site last week and they were offering an RTW for $3,319 Canadian. I've not checked the restrictions other than the stated minimum 3 stopover/10 day trip ones. If you find out more, I'd be interested.

The United/Cathay Pacific RTW might work for you.

The January 2001 Consumer Reports TravelLetter has a nice article about RTW options...lists 30 different airline options; min/max stay requirements, min/max stopovers, max mileage, 1st class fare, business class fare and economony class fares. Lowest combination was TWA/China for US$2199 (probably not valid now). There are 3 sample routings using LAX as the starting point. Lots of good info.

I can vouch for the info in Consumer Reports--they must have updated from their August 1998 which I've copied and provided to several on this board.

If the 2 airline combinations work for you (limited need for stopover, strictly a business flight, stopovers work for your purposes) then they are much more economical than the *A/1W alternatives. I've used them twice to good effect. You can usually get an out-and-back in either Asia or Europe (depending on your choice of airlines) to get where you need to go.

My experiences: AC/KE YYZ-YVR-KIX open-NRT-SEL-ZRH-open-FRA-YYZ-YUL, and UA/TG ATL-IAD-MXP-open-ZRH-BKK-KUL-BKK-NRT-ORD-ATL.

JL

[This message has been edited by jamiel (edited 01-11-2001).]