I am looking at a multi continent DONEWC3 ticket, basically flying in a triangle.

I am currently in Johannesburg and am heading towards Melbourne.

I was thinking of CPT-JNB-HKG-SIN-SYD-MEL-BNE-MEL-SYD-JNB, is this possible or is it too many back tracks? I do live in MEL so I HAVE to be there essentially. I thought the routing via SIN to get on the QF A380 and I would like to try and get to SYD on the way down to MEL, if I can't then so be it.

Any suggestions as well to maximise mileage?

Finally, who do I book this with? I am generally loath to use airlines as their RTW/Multi-Continent ticket staff are not always up to date with the rules, can I book it online or do I have to go with an airline? Also if I need to go with any airline are there any suggestions as to which one to book with?

What are the penalties to change the routing? Can I change dates free of charge? How long is the ticket valid for as I intend to depart and return to SA about 360 days later, final date of return is an unknown at the moment.

Start by reading the sticky threads/FAQs. Your itinerary is not an RTW as you're not crossing either the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans.

You would be able to get close to this itinerary using Oneworld's Circle Trip Explorer - http://www.oneworld.com/ow/air-trave...-trip-explorer. In business class, it's around US$750 cheaper than a DONE4 bought in South Africa (but of course would generate far fewer FF miles/points.) You probably ought to price out a conventional itinerary, however, to make sure the value of the Circle product is sufficient given all the rules. When I say "close" to the itinerary I suspect there are rules regarding numbers of stopovers per continent, plus limitations regarding stops or transits through given cities. There's a link to the full rules on the OW website.

First off, this is not a RTW ticket. You could look at the Circle Africa/Indian Ocean tickets for the type of routing that you have. Prices for the circle fares usually equate to a 4-continent RTW.

I put the (3) in brackets for a reason, as it is not a proper RTW ticket, at the time of writing I couldn't recall the phrase 'circle trip explorer' hence I said multi continent and used the brackets instead of RTW or DONE4.

The Multi Continent 3 fare is a bit cheaper than the DONE4, I have 2 days to kill and I thought I would hop around Asia for 1-2 days collecting FF miles for less than a JNB-SYD-MEL-SYD-JNB J ticket on QF. Hence I asked for the rules on a "Circle Trip" ticket.

CPT-JNB-HKG-SIN-SYD-MEL-BNE-MEL-SYD-JNB
is valid routing. no problem.

You can change dates free of charge.
Routing change costs 125USD and applicable survice charge by a handling agent/airline.
A ticket validity is 1 year from 1st segment. In your case, you probably need open dates segments for later part of your itinerary.

You can see the rule sheet
http://www.oneworld.com/content/libr...20explorer.pdf

Just remember if you want to do Asia and Australia leaving from JNB that if you do opt for RTW you will have to do a DONE5 not a DONE4.

Can I do,

JNB-CPT-JNB-HKG-SIN-SYD-MEL-BNE-MEL-SYD-JNB?

or.

CPT-JNB-HKG-SIN-SYD-MEL-BNE-MEL-SYD-JNB-CPT?

No. Rules: Yes.

Much appreciated.

I called QF to try and get a fare quotes for all the tax's and surcharges and the QF agent said they can only get that figure if they book a ticket, not issue one thou.

Is this correct?

I suspect that's the case. I've always found it to be so when booking RTWs with AA (pre-online tool days.) Be prepared for sticker shock when the YQ number comes in.

What is a YQ number?

And 'sticker shock' excuse my ignorance.

I have flown a few RTW on One World in my time, but have not really looked at much on the ticket apart from checking the routing and dates.

YQ = fuel surcharges; "sticker shock" is when you see the actual price of something compared to what you thought it would be.

I have a large soap box with regard to traders messing around with basic commodities of necessity, oil, grain, coffee, etc.

The average barrel of oil is traded 17 times before it is used. However one needs to also account for the growing demand fron Asia, South America and Russia. However the world should he looking at more renewables but with the clowns refuting the need for them makes one very frustrated.

GRRR.

Thank you for all your help thou.

Fly more segments!Fly longer segments!How would this itinerary suit you?

Thank-you for the feedback, it is much apppreciated.

I opted for the BNE part as I like going to Brisbane on holiday and could use the ticket for a weekend excursion.

Could I do this instead?

CPT-JNB-HKG-SIN-MEL-SYD-MEL-BNE-MEL-SYD-JNB? I don't think so but I figured rather let me ask.

I live in Melbourne and want to visit Sydney and Brisbane as well.