Having decided that the hassle of originating the RTW from KRT was not worth the saving when we consider that there's no F class service anyway, I'm now looking at going the fairly well-established route of ex-TLV.

However, I have a few questions that I hope you experts can help me with:

- Is it possible to end the RTW in another location other than TLV. I know that you can end in another city in the originating country or another country if originating in the ME but it's not clear whether you can do the same with TLV i.e. is it classed as Europe, ME or North Africa? All confusing.

- Is QF9 MEL-SIN-LHR counted as one segment against my 16 (because it has one flight number) or two?

- Is there anyway to avoid the dreaded BA YQ while still starting on BA metal TLV-LHR?

- Can anybody suggest a good way to use up the remaining segments of my current itinerary? We'd like to go to interesting place but our other priorities are F segments and tier points. I guess we could do some more segments in Europe? My current itinerary is looking like:
TLV-LHR-LAX-DFW-YVR-JFK-HKG-HND-SIN-SYD-MEL-SIN-LHR-TLV

MEL-SIN-LHR was planned for QF9
TLV-LHR-LAX as BA F transit
We will use the positioning to TLV to take a stopover in TLV before starting the RTW
Can make the second LHR trip either a stopover or a transit

1. Israel is in the Middle East, so you can end anywhere else in the ME.
2. QF9 will be one segment, MEL-LHR. With your itinerary you could even switch flights at SIN and still be okay, provided you don't stop over (24h+).
3. Since BA will be ticketing the itinerary, no, you can't avoid BA fuel fines.

Regarding tweaking the route, when are you flying? If during the northern summer, you could add DFW-ANC-DFW for an extra 360 TP and 6100 BIS miles, and Alaska is certainly an interesting side trip. Otherwise, adding segments in Europe will require you ride in J and not F, as will additional segments in Australia. But since MEL-LHR is one coupon out of 16, your revised route would be TLV-LHR-LAX-DFW-YVR-JFK-HKG-HND-SIN-SYD-MEL-LHR-TLV, only 12 segments, so you have plenty of room to maneuver.

If you stop over in London the second time, then continue back to the Middle East after, you'll have to pay a big hit in UK APD.

We'll be travelling late September through to middle December so I think we'll miss the ANC flights, just. Which is a real shame as I'd love to go there. I'm still considering moving the itinerary forward to accommodate this.

I'm also wondering whether to add some more segments in Asia to try JAL in F and get some more TPs out of the continent. So perhaps something like:

TLV-LHR-LAX-DFW-ANC-DFW-YVR-JFK-HKG-CDG-NRT-SIN-SYD-MEL-LHR-MCT

I could perhaps through in DFW-ORD-YVR to use up the final segment unless anybody has some other creative ideas.

At present this looks like I get 3 x BA F (at least one guaranteed to be NF), 3 in CX F, 2 in JAL F and 3 (inc the two on QF 9) on QF F plus some US AA domestic.

What about having AA ticket? I've started lots of AONE4s from MRU and JNB with the first flight being on BA.

Well, last time I tried that work-around, AA still added BA's YQ, but certainly the OP could try to book the trip through the AA RTW desk and have it queued for payment to Tal Aviation, AA's GSA in TLV, then compare the price with one obtained using the online tool. (AA would want at least one transoceanic segment with an AA code, but that's workable.)

Part of the problem with AA in Israel is they don't codeshare on any of BA's or IB's flights out, so even if the OP wants to fly TLV-xLHR-LAX, the first segment can't be ticketed with an AA code. I'm certainly not one to try to understand AA's tariff department (not having studies at Hogwarts) but it seems that whenever AA tickets on BA-coded flights, the BA fuel fines get passed through sure as shootin'. But definitely worth a try, as hundreds of dollars are on the table.

I'm sure you mean CGK and not Paris? In any event, you'll need to see how many true F flights JL or CX operate, and the segment lengths. But that could work for you. (Oh BTW AA doesn't fly ORD-YVR.)

But not trying to pry, but how many tier points do you need? The route above in F (where available) would get you 2000+ TP, more than enough for BA Gold.

Thanks for the help.

Yes indeed I meant CGK but as I research further it seems impossible to find CGK-NRT with an F cabin despite it being advertised on JAL's website.

I will be silver with about 900 TPs when I start the RTW in TLV. I'm hoping to end up with either 2,500 or 3,500 TPs in order to get the 2-4-1 vouchers although that's not my main objective. However, if a slight tweaking of the routing can get me over the next threshold then that makes sense. I think I have another 200-300 TPs of flying to do after the RTW but before my membership year expires.

I really want to maximise flights and length in F while trying a variety of F products rather than just BA. Besides that I really want to visit Tokyo and if I can Anchorage and my wife really wants to go to Vancouver and Melbourne.

It's hilarious how easily this escalates. It started with us planning one RTN trip in F and then realised that we could do a RTW in F for not much more. And it's become an obsession.

I would suggest starting in Amman, rather than Tel Aviv. There RJ ticketing is done by AA and BA surcharges will only apply to BA segments. However, there is no F to Amman, as far as I know. If you can burn a segment, there is an AMM-TLV flight or even better AMM-DME or some other point from which you can get F.

There is also the bug in the online tool causing AA issued RJ/JL starting itineraries to fail.

Hi MadProfessor,

I recently purchased a AONE3 ex-TLV. I set it up through the AA RTW desk and purchased it at Tal Aviation - it was simple and easy.

Unfortunately taxes were equally high and I did not make any savings through AA (same BA metal start).

However my final decision to ticket through AA was more to do with their existence of a dedicated RTW desk (in case of any delays or problems).

Some observations:

CGK-NRT exists with an F cabin on a daily basis but 'A' availability is very poor 'D' is better in case you are interested in the tier points.

JL are very stingy with 'A' availability but they tend to open closer to the flight date.

I also have DFW-YVR-JFK - initially as a xYVR but changed it to a day stop as the connection is tight if you take AA887.

I found Expert Flyer a great tool for routes and 'A' availability finding.

J

Johnny - did you find EF better than KVS for BA availability? I'm finding it difficult to find any availability in F on LHR-TLV and CKG-NRT at the moment. And would you mind sharing your final routing with me?

Hi,

I haven't used KVS so can't compare but I think there is a 5 day free trial of EF which you can sign-up and try out.

As for F LHR-TLV there is only one daily morning option and you will need to take into account that mid / end September is Jewish holiday season which will impact on availability. A quick check on EF shows 'A' availability on 23/24/27/28 Sept.

My AONE3 routing is:

TLV-xLHR-LAS-xDFW-YVR-xJFK-MIA-xDFW-HNL-NRT-HKG-DPS-xHKG-SIN-xLHR-TLV.

Not a fully utilized FT AONE3 routing but tailored to my personal interests of Surfing, Fishing and a little Gambling.

I will also credit this trip to BA and will earn 1,900 tier points and 84,156 miles - which I calculated through the BA calculator.

J

I find it MUCH easier to think out the routing using EF, with help from MileageMonkey and FT input, then set up the ticket with AA in the USA by phone, and then issue through an accredited travel agent. The on-line tool is too spotty and often tries to make undesirable rooting choices. In my experience, it also seems to under report A and D availability for some routes.

As a starting point, AMM has, in my opinion, the advantage over TLV of better options and far superior international hotels (with points) as well as a vast array of tourist sites and sights within a few hours taxi ride, not to mention the local cuisine. And I have never had any trouble traveling to or from TLV by RJ.

OK - how many Aussies chortled at this??
And how many undesirable rooting choices have you made, eh?

I don't think I want to know.

Sorry for the spelling error, but I do hope other English speakers also enjoyed it!