http://www.talaviation.com/info_page.asp?info_id=867

Yes, set it up with the RTW desk and have them give you the PNR, then after it's gone off to rates (Dublin) contact the GSA and have them do the ticketing. Make sure first (use email or Skype) that they'll take a credit card over the phone or via email, as opposed to wanting wired funds. I haven't dealt with Tal in Tel Aviv, but had no problem using this approach with some of their other offices (WAW and ARN.)

Faced with this challenge I updated the OneWorld map last year - don't think it's changed since - click through for a larger version.

No response to email, so I phoned them up. They are happy to take a credit card by fax, but do charge 2.5% for using a credit card. This is separate from the ticket surcharge (which they waive for EXPs).

Since i'll be in Montreal at the end of July, I'm thinking it might be better to issue the ticket there. Thoughts?

I've purchased twice in Toronto. Call AA RTW desk in early July and have them set up your ticket ex-TLV for purchase in Canada <--- this is important. Ask them to put it on hold for the requisite time.

You could also try booking it now and they will put it on hold and then you can call back and have them extend the hold. They only extended mine once; two 21 day holds for a total of about 40 days (I called a couple days before the first hold expired). Unless inventory is low on one of your routes and your dates are not flexible, I would go with the first option.

I assume this will be an electronic ticket. One of mine was a paper ticket and it took a lifetime to purchase it in Canada.

At one point you eluded to AMM (Jordan) being a possible point of origin. If you did and flew RJ as your first segment, then the RTW ticket would be issued by AA TTBOMK which means you could purchase it online on the OW site and have it AA issued.

Thanks for the advice^

We decided to start in TLV rather than AMM because the cost difference is low and we want to visit Israel.

The trip starts Spring 2012 and right now D space looks good on all flights except two on AA to/from the Caribbean. I've booked award flights for my partner for everything that's within the 330 day window, with those Caribbean flights in Y because there isn't any business award space yet. I'm going to set EF alerts for D space dropping (so happy to see this just announced). Also, not sure what threshold to use. Maybe D<5? Also maybe additional alerts for J<6? Not sure.

Do you think the AA RTW desk might let me keep it on hold waiting for those AA flights to open up? Also, is the 21-day hold pretty routine?

Question

If I book a DONE starting in a country where the price is quoted in US$ on the one world online booking system will I be charged any fees by my US bank ?

Many Thanks

If you are paying a US$ transaction with a US$ credit card, then you shouldn't.

You're welcome.
No, they would not hold it conditional on the award seats coming available for your partner. They will hold it for a specific number of days. However, you can always ask the AA RTW desk; who knows?

It was back in Feb and Mar 2009 when I did that. I haven't needed long holds since then.

Thanks DownUnderFlyer. I am really curious as to where the one world payments are processed for the many countries whose RTW fares are quoted in US$. I am planning to buy a DONE5 out of Tanzania and wouldnt want my US$ transaction to be processed in the local Tanzanain currency by the local BA office as it could prove to be very expensive.

Well, it would add between $0 and $250 to the bill depending on your credit card.

Don't know if it is official. My own experience was that my RTW itin was on hold for 60 day initially. Days later, I was informed I had 24 days to buy. I asked why. They said one of the airlines (RJ, in this case), had put in that new restriction. So, I would not consider 21-day hold as the golden standard. In fact, you should ask RTW DESK what is the LONGEST holding period allowed on your particularly itin.

I was told that Qantas would cancel a hold if not ticketed in 21 days, IIRC. This was in January. I was able to get it extended an extra week but the RTW office had to specifically ask Qantas to not cancel the hold.

Assuming you pay with a credit card, you need to know the country of ticketing and the policies of your credit card issuer. Some credit cards impose a fee for purchases in currency other than dollars, while many others charge a foreign transaction fee for any charge placed outside the U.S., even in dollars. Others (such as the Chase BA card) make a big deal out of not imposing such charges.

anabolism,

Just out of curiosity, where do you live?

The reason I ask is just about any major city is at the most within a couple hours direct flight of a major CA city. The last time I purchased in CA, I flew to Toronto for a 2 hour layover from IAD on UA using MP miles + $5 (note: I allowed a 6 hour layover, and got on an earlier return flight). All said and done it took about 6 hours. The key to this is major city. When you get off the beaten path then it would probably take a whole day.

The nice thing is, and the reason I did it, is then it is done with it and can go on with other things. Instead of continuing to focus on purchasing the ticket, planning and replanning, waiting, posting on FT, etc. I can now spend time planning my next trip... said in the true spirit of FT.

Thanks for the response.

I am really trying to discover if there is a US based FTer who has purchased a DONE through One World's online system and whether they were charged any conversion fees etc by their US bank.

In other words are the credit card payments for the online system processed at one central location or are they processed at the local office of the One World carrier?

My acct is at the Bank of America.