Two questions on Circle Pacific
 

I have tried the forum searching options but I could not find the answers to my two questions, so in case I have omitted them, please accept my apologizes.

Two simple questions though:

1) The fare rules state that "Travel via the Caribbean, Bermuda and Central America is not permitted on any fare.". So does it mean that travel via Mexico cannot be included on the itinerary or it means that countries different from Mexico are not permitted? If it is the former then what is the point of having Mexicana on the list of companies?

2) Is it possible the total mileage of an itinerary to exceed the fare's mileage one buys, f.e. 29500 for the 29000 fare? How much is tolerable? And what is the cost (approx)?

On a quite insignificant note - any idea where to buy tickets for this fare in Seoul?

Thanks in advance

mumko, Welcome to FT

1. Given Mexico is a ticketing location (I think it wold be included in USA, Canada, Mexico grouping). I presume the wording is more to prevent people gaining mileage from backtracking given LAN does not fly to any of those central/ caribbean locations. Note Mexicana is a recent entry to one world.

2. I doubt there is any tolerance on the mileage limits (I suspect it is pretty hard to go over 29k in any event)

From Seoul would probably buy direct from AA (American Airlines) - either the Korean agent, or the RTW desk
http://www.aa.com/i18n/aboutUs/where...kets/korea.jsp

I doubt there is even one mile tolerance. My recent xCIRCxx tickets ex BKK from CX showed zero tolerance (or at least the staff showed no tolerance).

Welcome to FT mumoko

The rules on Circle Pacific tickets are quite restrictive compared to the One World Explorer rules

I pointed out in an earlier thread in this forum, that you can make use of the DEL-ORD flight on a OWE to construct something better than a Circle Pacfic.

In your case, you could fly to Nth America, have six stopovers there - no restrictions on Carribean stops, then to Sth America and have four stops there, then back to Asia - all for a xONE3 price. No mileage restrictions either.

...but if the OP wants to include Oz in the itinerary, a xONE3 is impossible.

Actually an AONE3 is possible with OZ in the itinerary by using the ORD-DEL flight as discussed in detail in Pandaperth's thread referenced in post #4 above. However since the OP is talking about 29000 miles, then s/he is including South America which would mean if South America and OZ were included, then the OP would be doing at least an AONE4, and more likely an AONE5.

Not to mention the OP, who is flying ex-ICN (and those of us who are able to strategically position ourselves), can get a ACIR22, ACIR26, or ACIR29 for $6890, 8258, or 8836 (USD) respectively ex-ICN vs an AONE4 or AONE5 for $12582 or 14458 (USD) respectively. So at least $4000 more in airfare for additional destinations and the wonderful experience of the Delhi Airport. Prices would vary for D, but AA D would be painful on the ORD-DEL flight IMO.

The only place where it makes financial sense to do a xONE3, 4 or 5 vs a CirPac is ex-North America where the prices of the CIR tickets are unreasonably high IMO. Now if someone actually wants to do more traveling and/or has a burning desire to experience the wonders of the Delhi Airport and its luxury tax on F and J seats, then that is a completely different situation and one in which a CirPac is probably not even being considered. It is good info to know though.

To the OP, Mexico is in North America not Central America, so the Circle Pacific rules do not preclude Mexico from travel on a Circle Pacific ticket.

Thank you very much for all replies.

I have learned many things. Used a lot of google to understand most of the abbreviations. But the thing that shocked me is the definition of Mexico as a North American country, which in this case turns out fine for me.

As suggested, main destinations aimed in this trip are S. America and South Pacific, and possibly a couple of Central American countries with an open jaw between Mexico and Bogotá/Caracas. Does the OneWorld Circle Pacific fare allow for international open jaw or only for domestics?

If you allow me, a couple of fine-tunning questions:

1) Is a possible flight between Santiago - Mount Pleasant - Santiago - considered a case of backtracking or is permissible under fare rules?

2) Let's say in next 5-6 months is it to be expected that Star Alliance will rival OneWorld Circle Pacific fare by including Continental Micronesia flights into Star Alliance Circle Pacific fare or OneWorld will remain the best option to combine S.America and the Pacific?

Rules: http://www.oneworld.com/content/libr...rule_sheet.pdf

The rules don't differentiate between international and domestic open jaws.

The rules allow up to 3 transfers in a city. Therefore it is possible to do two return trips from SCL (eg IPC and MPN). I cannot see any rule that prevents a backtrack return. You just have to find an agent that will ticket your proposal - if one airline won't do it, try another!

I think, though, that you will run out of miles rather than be excluded by the rules. The SCL-MPN round trip will eat 2830 miles - and that flight is only once a week. If an Antarctic tour group books onto that flight, it will be be completely full (speaking from experience).

An alternate if MPN is too far on the xCIRC29 is to redeem miles for the flight SCL-MPN-SCL. Its all economy class. Take food as the snacks on board are truely dreadful if you are hungry.

As for Q2, I wouldn't hold off assuming something will happen. Anything can happen with these fares - price rises, new rules - anything.

Some posts on *A circle pacific have been moved to the *A forum.

linky


Kiwi Flyer
OW moderator