anabolism

Congratulations!

I'd suggest cutting out LAX-SFO, and flying LAX-LHR (on either AA or BA). If you also cut out the last sector (back into KRT) and flew LHR-xxx to end the trip, you'd now have two extra sectors to play with for North America, which should allow you to fly to the Caribbean on AA to some place directly served by JFK or DFW.

Another option would be to fly YVR-LHR, or DFW-LHR, freeing up more sectors. E.g., HKG-JFK-MIA-CUR-MIA-DFW-YVR-LHR-xxx (I'm quite fond of Curaçao). Or maybe HKG-JFK-DFW-CAN-DFW-YVR-LHR-xxx or even HKG-JFK-DFW-CAN-DFW-YVR-DFW-LHR-xxx if you wanted to fly DFW-LHR. The fact that OneWorld considers the Caribbean part of North America (even Curaçao, which is right off the coast of Venezuela) makes it very tempting to include in xONEx fares. On the other hand, since it's domestic two-class AA flights, you'd be in A even on a DONEx, so it's a bit of a waste on an AONEx.

Useful tip. Also keep in mind that you can look up the itinerary by the PNR on aa.com and it shows you much of this, and there is a "print receipt" button that shows you the e-ticket number.

Montebello

Awesome NDFan ! Thanks.
I'm currently booking a DONE4 with my girlfriend leaving early November ex KRT as well. Your post has been more than useful. Thanks.
Seeing the price we were thinking of getting an AONE4 after that as well Is it worth getting now and not in a year ?

I live in Paris France, do you think I should through Canada as well ? (exchange rate is pretty good too)

I'll update here if I learn anything new in the process of buying the ticket.

og

Buy it as soon as possible. The fares can change with little or no notice. BKK used to sell a DONE4 for around $7000 - then it went up by several thousand. As soon as the volume of tickets originating Sudan changes dramatically, I'd be confident that OW will close off this deal.

NDFan

I would definitely book now, as we never know when the price will change. And these prices are outstanding. Remember that if you have to cancel prior to first flight, you can get a full refund less 5% (A or D class) or 10% (L class).

You will have to pay through Canada to get those prices, unless you can find a ticketing agent in Khartoum. If you pay in Paris, you will pay the (much higher) European price.

Please do - we all benefit from other people's experiences. Your experience entering Sudan, and in Khartoum, would be welcome too.

Happy Travels.

Montebello

Thanks a lot NDFan.
I'll keep you guys posted.

iridge

I am very close to booking the AONE4 ex Khartoum but with the current political situation and US recalling the embassy staff from Sudan I am a bit concerned.

What are your thoughts? Will it affect your travel plans??

NDFan

Depends when you plan to travel. If it's in the next few days, you should monitor the ongoing situation carefully. If it's a few weeks/months from now, I wouldn't worry; who knows if/when something will trigger unrest in which country next.

Happy Travels.

JohnAx

Well, look at the good side - perhaps we'll be spared that price increase for a while longer. And might meet some interesting diplomatic staff on the outbound leg.

BrewerSEA

I almost booked an ex-KRT AONE* for this month and am really glad I just booked an ex-CMB A fare instead. It's really hard to know how things will change though. For example, last summer I had planned on going to Syria and had decided against visiting Egypt due to the political situation. However, when I actually got to the Middle East I ended up going to Egypt which was then safe for Americans and had to cancel my plans in Syria.

Nonetheless, I would not book any travel to the middle east right now just because everything is so uncertain. Of course, if you end up having to cancel it's only a 5% charge...

Montebello

Hey guys,
In the end, I chose a DONE3 ex-Khartoum (leaving november 6).
I've probably spent over 30 hours just reading and learning from FlyerTalk this week (I'm new here). I've saved SO much money thanks to you guys ! Thank you so much.

I was wondering if someone could take a look at my itinerary and maybe suggest a way I could optimise anything.
- I'm travelling wife my girlfriend, choosing to spend time in most the cities we stay in.
- Dates starting august 1st are false (since you can only book 330 days in advance)
- I'm booking through AA RTW desk and ticketing through canada (thanks for the tip, already talked with Naeem) -- I live in Paris France.

DONE3 : KRT-xAMM-HKG-PNH/SIN-TYO-xNGO-HNL-LAX-LAS-LAX-SFO/JFK-LHR-xAMM-KRT

Sector 1
From/To: KRT - AMM
Stops: 0
Depart Date: 11/07/2012
Arrive Date: 11/07/2012
Flight No: RJ 511 (operated by Royal Jordanian) Depart Time: 06:25
Arrive Time: 08:15 Booking Class: D

Sector 2
From/To: AMM - HKG
Stops: 1
Depart Date: 11/08/2012
Arrive Date: 11/08/2012
Flight No: RJ 182 (operated by Royal Jordanian) Depart Time: 01:05
Arrive Time: 19:00 Booking Class: D

Sector 3
From/To: HKG - PNH
Stops: 0
Depart Date: 12/16/2012
Arrive Date: 12/16/2012
Flight No: KA 208 (operated by Dragonair) Depart Time: 08:55
Arrive Time: 10:30 Booking Class: D

Sector4
Other means or transportation chosen for this leg of your itinerary From/To: PNH, KH - SIN, SG
-> we'll take a low cost back to Singapour and interrupt the journey one month with 3 weeks in Paris France (sister's first baby) -- way to get EQM/EQPs on AA ?

Sector 5
From/To: SIN - TYO
Stops: 0
Depart Date: 04/16/2013
Arrive Date: 04/16/2013
Flight No: JL 710 (operated by JAL) Depart Time: 01:40
Arrive Time: 09:25 Booking Class: D
Sector 6
From/To: TYO - HNL
Stops: 0
Via: NGO
Depart Date: 06/01/2013
Arrive Date: 06/01/2013
Flight No: JL 3087/JL 0794 (operated by JAL) Depart Time: 18:25
Arrive Time: 11:05 Booking Class: J/D

Sector 7
From/To: HNL - LAS
Stops: 0
Via: LAX
Depart Date: 06/10/2013
Arrive Date: 06/10/2013
Flight No: AA 270/AA 0752 (operated by American Airlines) Depart Time: 07:25
Arrive Time: 19:00 Booking Class: A/A
-> partyyyy

Sector 8
From/To: LAS - SFO
Stops: 0
Via: LAX
Depart Date: 06/13/2013
Arrive Date: 06/13/2013
Flight No: AA 793/AA 1936 (operated by American Airlines) Depart Time: 10:15
Arrive Time: 13:30 Booking Class: A/A

Sector9
Other means or transportation chosen for this leg of your itinerary From/To: SFO, US - NYC, US
-> buy car / drive from San Fran to NY / sell car.(month and a half)

Sector 10
From/To: NYC - PAR
Stops: 0
Depart Date: 08/05/2013
Arrive Date: 08/06/2013
Flight No: AA 120 (operated by American Airlines) Depart Time: 20:45
Arrive Time: 10:35 Booking Class: D

Sector 11
From/To: PAR - KRT
Stops: 0
Via: AMM
Depart Date: 08/07/2013
Arrive Date: 08/08/2013
Flight No: RJ 118/RJ 0510 (operated by Royal Jordanian) Depart Time: 12:15
Arrive Time: 04:00 Booking Class: D/D
-> back to KRT in october 2013. (and a new RTW Ticket starts


Final price on online tool :
$2410 + $868.83 (taxe) = $3 278.83
(I'll add to that a 560€ ($728) one way ticket to CDG-KRT

What do you think ? (We'll both be signing up for AAdvantage)
Would love your input in you see potential improvements. (plan to buy in 24 hours tops)

I'll post updates about how it goes with ticketing and the specifics through Kartoum.

Thanks a lot !

anabolism

I debated an ex-KRT for a 2013 status run, but chickened out and went with ex-JNB DONE4. This was before the successful reports of people who've managed to get the airport entry permit and so forth. If the ex-KRT prices hold, I may go for it for a 2014 status run and try to do a same-day turn in KRT to start it. I guess February would be the earliest I could book it (assuming a 1/1/14 start). I'm still nervous about problems entering and transiting, being an American, having Israeli stamps in my passport, etc., as well as making the same-day turn work.

2old4coach

Where and when to travel in the Middle East safely is hard to call.

I too transited Egypt after the uprising before order was restored. The people involved in the tourism business: Taxi cab drivers, desk clerks, tour guides and every one who makes their living from tourism were very very protective of us and went out of their way to welcome us.

We have also traveled extensively in Libya. The people were very friendly and helpful, but there was also a noticeable police presence. However, I would not travel to Libya now, there are too many people running around with guns and mortars.

A close friend transited Saudi Arabia some years ago. I will never bring my wife through there. These folks are suppose to be friendly to us, but his wife was rudely treated and both were detained and almost missed their flight (yes his wife was conservately dressed and kept to her self)

I have been considering Sudan for an RTW starting point because it is cheap. I still question the hassle of transit VS money saved. I do not know if I would go to that part of the world (except Egypt) with an Israeli stamp in my passport.

I think a transit through the airport may be ok for an American, but I do not know if I would exit the airport.

I am still planning an AONE3 or AONE4 from KRT, but I think I will wait until 2013. I will first go without my wife.

jerry a. laska

From the US State Department website:
From the Sudan Embassy website(US):

JohnAx

Does Israel no longer issue arrival/departure stamps on sheets that can be separated from the passport? I suppose that's ancient history due to security issues...

jerry a. laska

You have (or had) to ask for that. Some don't.