I’ve been reading posts in this forum for a couple years now. Thanks for all the great info. I’m finally ready to embark on my virgin rtw. Based on what I read in these forums the OW seems to be the best value. I live half the year in Portland, OR and the other half in Manila, Ph. Therefore, I was planning to fly to MNL to buy my DONE3 However, since most of the places I would like to go (MNL,SIN, BKK, KUL, HYD) are in Asia it doesn’t make sense to purchase there.

So, I’m thinking about flying to S. Africa to purchase a DONE4 since the prices seem to be so low there. But since there are no O.W. hubs in Africa, I don’t understand how one could visit any other destinations in Africa without first leaving the continent. Also, how do I get from PDX to S.A. on a O.W. flight (for FF CX purposes)? I’m hoping you folks can give me good itinerary advice. In addition the above mentioned destinations, I would like to visit MAD, BUD, ADJ, GCM, PTY, SYQ, NTR. Anything else is gravy. I’m willing to travel overland to reach some destinations. I’m also willing to go to Vancouver, B.C. to take advantage of the Canadian exception if someone has advice on that. Looking forward to suggestions, I’m adventurous.

Comair, a British Airways franchisee based in Johannesburg, is an Affiliate member of oneworld and fly to a few destinations throughout South Africa and the neighboring countries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comair_(South_Africa)

Welcome to FT, outside!

Just because you visit places in Asia doesn't make it any more or less advantageous to buy your xONEx over there.

In regards to South Africa: The best way to look at things is to use the OW route map for rough planning:

http://www.innovata-llc.com/onw/default.asp?show=MAP

As you can see: You can go to a few places in southern Africa and to Mauritius from there. Otherwise, the OW Africa coverage is quite small. Be aware that there are some special rules in place for some Africa destinations.

Also, are you sure you want to credit to CX? This might or might not be the best program for your.

Thanks for the suggestions. The reason I thought I would be advantageous to buy outside of Asia is because I would like to visit a few destinations there. My understanding is you are only allowed 2 stops on the continent of origin.

The fact that there is limited OW coverage in Africa must be the reason the xone4 are so inexpensive there.

That is correct. So if you need more than two stopovers in Asia and can't use <24h transfers than you must either buy separate tickets or start from somewhere else.

Also, are you sure you want to credit to CX? This might or might not be the best program for your.[/QUOTE]

Is CX not a good FF program for someone who lives in Asia part-time?

I originally had a DONE4 worked out when 20 segment trips were possible leaving from JNB but then the GFC hit and the aussie nosedived so I had to cancel due to lack of funds with the dollar dropping 40%. Was a sweet 12 month trip too, with PLT challenge I would have ended up with nearly enough AA miles to get a reward ticket around the world a second time in L.

Incidentally I think this was my confirmed ticket I had to cancel:
JNB-HKG-DEL-NRT-PEK//PVG-HKG-JFK-UVF-MIA-MEX-YVR-DFW-LAX-BRU//CAI-MAD-HEL-BUD-xLHR-DAR

*sigh* so many places yet to visit! Luckily the Aussie is strong so I am doing open-ended travelling now.

I am now bouncing around Asia on cheap flights and IMHO it is not worth wasting valuable OWE segments (especially biz filghts) on short Asia puddle jumps when you have so many options like Jetstar, Air Asia, Cebu Pacific and Tiger Airways as well as overland options like Fukuoka Japan to Busan South Korea, South Korea to China overland, deluxe bus from Singapore to KL, etc.

Ican give you my travels as an example: I caught a cheap flight from MEL-NRT on Jetstar for US$200 to get started, at that time I was planning on taking the hydrofoil to South Korea or slow boat to China but I got a cheap Cebu Pacific flight for US$140 KIX-MNL. In a few days I am flying Cebu again CRK-BKK for US$65, then after 30 days I am doing a quick BKK-KUL visa run for a week then KUL-BKK, cost me US$105 return. I was looking at Air Asia to get to India next as pretty cheap, but might go back to OZ for the Aussie Rules grand final if my team gets in, then start a OWE from NZ or elsewhere (that is why I am on here at the moment, looking for cheap OWE again).

So yeah, that is my opinion, do your Asian travel seperately like I am, then use your Asian flights for something long like DEL-NRT.

Any questions let me know.

It depends on what you want from a a program and which airlines you fly. I am just saying you should check other programs, mainly AA.

WHere you start from, which airline you purchase from, and where you do the purchase, are all separate questions to consider when planning the trip. As noted already, the two-stopover limit can be avoided by starting the trip in some other continent, but this is independent of where you buy the ticket or how you buy it.

Apologies for hi-jacking, another first time DONE4 Q: what airlines can make date changes once travel is underway? (JL the next carrier on my itin wants to refer me back to the carrier who issued the tick)

Also, can carriers change dates for other carriers' segments, or must I contact them all separately? Thanks.

You have to contact the issuing carrier you cannot chagne the route just the times/dates and airline.

Is CX not a good FF program for someone who lives in Asia part-time?[/QUOTE]

Join AAdvantage

Do the Platinum Challange : fee around $300 and Rack up miles double quick

Buy the maximum permitted AA annual miles for around $1100

And BINGO you will have enough Miles/Points for another OW AAward Around the World in Business

Apply and get the new 75K CitiCard and you might even have enough for FIRST Class

That is only true before departure on the first segment.

Any other oneworld carrier can make changes after departure.

However, I would advise to stick with the issuing carrier as much as possible. Doing this helps reduce errors.

Ant, many carriers charge handling fee for changing reservations of ticket not issued by them.
CX charges reservations change for non CX issued tickets.
BA is worse. It charges handling fee for reservation change of non-BA segments for BA issued xONEx.

Now a bit confused. I didn't mention route changes, just date. Interpreting your answer I am guessing I am ok to change flight dates with the respective carriers as I go along?