DCIR22 Questions from a first timer:

Be gentle please. I've done a number of DONEX but looking at a Circle pacific for the first time.

I've done some reading here and so I believe that a HKG start is my best option.

Planned route is: HKG-xYVR-YXS-xYVR-xLAX-xSYD-PER-ADL-xPER-HKG. Stopovers are YXS, PER & ADL

My questions:
1) Is this a valid route 22k route? I think I checked GCM properly but it was really buggy for me - doesn't seem to like PER for some reason - had to type it in full for it to find it.

2) I assume the best bet is to call the AA RTW desk to organise and let them know ticket will be paid for and issued in Canada. I used the Canadian ticketing and payment option (Naeem at Gala) a while back for my DONEX starting from JNB and it was pretty seamless.

3) I am assuming that if I get AA to book the codeshare for the LAX-SYD leg then they will be less "grumpy" about arranging the ticket for me? and that using AA is still the best from a taxes perspective? I collect AA FF anyway so no issue with that.

4) I realise that I could try and have it ticketed and collected in HKG although seems to be varying results with accepting remote CC (I will not have time to go into downtown HKG). Would this be any cheaper than the Canadian option?

Thanks for thoughts and comments! Paul

1. MileageMonkey shows it as 24,043 miles.
2. Paying through HK remotely is (at least 18 months ago) easy enough with no need to go to office
3. AA will generally try and book their code.

Thanks for the quick response. Yep I managed to get into the old GC mapper and you are right it is over. May need to drop out ADL.
I hit another issue - not sure there is any way to get from YVR-LAX?? Any thoughts? Can I use AA or QF codeshare on AS metal on this ticket? If not then I'll have to book YVR-LAX as a separate flight which sucks!

NO.

(1) There is no Oneworld service for YVR-YXS nor YVR-LAX. You would have to do the YXS sectors on your own, then either travel by separate ticket (e.g. Alaska Airlines) between Vancouver and LAX, or else travel YVR-DFW-LAX.

(2) You must include any surface sector mileage (e.g. YVR-LAX) in the total mileage; HKG-YVR-LAX-SYD-PER-ADL-PER-HKG is over 23K miles, so you'd exceed the mileage limit there. HKG-YVR-LAX-SYD-ADL-PER-HKG would fit under the 22K mile limit and be a legal routing.

The "Canadian exception" is gone. This is a problem unless you can find a TA in HKG that will issue the ticket for you. Yes, the AA RTW desk can set it up, and yes, you have to tell them to price it for (in this case) HKD payment and that it will be paid with HKD in HKG. Easy if you are passing by HKG and can call into the AA office in HKG city. The AA Airport office won't issue the ticket. And, ensure you don't try to get the ticket on a HK public holiday. The city office will be closed (been there, done that). It took only 15 min face to face last time there (in the AA office) - but that was early in the day.

For an ex-HKG trip, I always have the AA RTW desk set it up for issuance in HKG, then call the AA GSA in HKG and have them issue it.

As noted already, you can't go YVR-LAX on OneWorld (and hence not on a xCIRxx), but you can go YVR-DFW, and DFW-SYD. However, that might push you over the 22k mileage limit.

I always get frustrated with the 22k cap, but still an ex-Asia DCIR22 is a nice product.

Thanks Guys,

Yep DFW and JFK I think are the only US/Canada OW metal options out of YVR. Neither work within 22k.

I'm resigned to HKG-VYR-surface-LAX-SYD-PER-HKG. It's still a great price so can't complain too much and thansk again to the FT Jedi's for saving me a small fortune.

I had thought WS were maybe joinign OW and I know that AA have some codeshares to YXS but I guess that is still for the future. Hopefully for the sake of YVR (and Canada in general) we see AS and WS join OW in the future?

Paul

Are you saying that AA GSA will issue via credit card over the phone? Is the GSA still the one quoted in earlier posts?

Quote:
Ticket Sales Centers - Hong Kong

NO airport ticketing facilities available

The Walshe Group
Room 2907, Central Plaza
18 Harbour Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong
Monday - Friday 9.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.
Reservations Telephone: (+852) 3678 8500
Fax: (+852) 3678 8501

I personally asked the staff in the HKG AA GSA office if they issue tickets by phoning through or even faxing a credit card. They said "no" - must be personal presentation of the card. For my last tickets, they did a manual impression of the CC and it appeared on my account about 3 weeks later. I'd be delighted if someone can post a different experience!

Oh, and the Walsh Group is the GSA. Whatever is shown on the AA web site is the current address (they moved office about a year ago). It is 18 Harbour Road but I think its now level 10 ?????

I can't recall for sure if it was via phone or fax, but yes, the AA GSA issued the ticket with no problems. They've done so in the past as well.

Most recent ex-HKG ticket for me was purchased last June. When did you ask the staff?

This was in September 2011. I asked if a fax of a cc would be OK and they said only if I opened an account with them which would use a pre-registered cc and only good for lower price tickets (ie xCIRCxx were over their limit).

On my visit to the same office (all be it on a different floor in the same building) in February this year I did not ask the same question.

I always just contact CX in HKG directly. They will book and issue the ticket, taking a credit card over the phone.

I usually email them my requested itinerary (email address is on their website) and my contact details. They do have to send this to their RTW desk for pricing. Someone will call you back, you give them your payment info and the ticket is immediately issued. Very smooth.

I just set up the following in J: HKG-SYD-WLG-SYD-DFW-HNL-NRT-BKK-HKG
25,378 miles for $HK52,814.00 = $US6,807.41.
That seems high to me. Just fare creep???

According to EF, base fare for DCIR26 is US$6102, so sounds about right. I don't think it's changed recently, currency fluctuations notwithstanding.

Yes they will and did so for me in Oct 2013. They required a signed faxed form and a faxed copy of both sides of my credit card. It was all relatively quick and easy, and the agent I was dealing with was quite pleasant.