I have the opportunity to take a "quick vacation" at the end of this year. Here is a proposed itinerary:

1. GCM-MIA-MAD [via AA]
2. MAD-LHR-SYD [what is the best routing?]
3. SYD-LAX [via QF]
4. LAX-MIA-GCM [via AA

The AA RTW desk advises this trip is 4 continents (???) because of a required refueling stop on the LHR-SYD segment in Asia, despite the fact that it is a single flight number (BA or QF) from LHR to SYD.

I was also considering changing this from economy to business but it's starting to get a bit pricey for a vacation. Meanwhile, it seems that RTW fares vary depending on country of origination. For example, in Canada, business class is only $1000 more than the USA economy ticket and $1000 less than ex-USA business. I have no problem originating this trip from YYZ and would welcome any suggestions.

I did LHR-MEL as part of a oneworld rtw trip and was not charged an extra continent for the stop-over in Singapore (ticket issued by AA; BA flight number; QF equipment).

canada is an excellent place to start the RTW from. I've done it once myself.

You might want to hold off until the bombshell is dropped tomorrow that may change the whole complexion of oneworld

What was the base fare you were quoted on the economy itinerary so we can get a sense of the actual price differential between Canada and the U.S.? I have a year-old RTW Explorer chart [Canada origination] that lists the low season 3-continent fare at C$3,119 and the 4-continent one at C$3,489. The J fare is C$5,569 and C$6,549 respectively, quite a bit more than the US$1,000 you mention: almost US$1,600 in the first case and US$2,000 in the second.

Sounds like the fares are better now than last year. I am considering such a trip to requalify for AA Platinum early next year, so this is of much interest to me, and perhaps others.

[This message has been edited by Shareholder (edited 09-11-2000).]

Interestingly, I received a call today from AA RTW desk advising that my fare was re-calculated from 3 continents to 4! Seems that rules have changed recently as they now allow you to backtrack via Asia at n/c, regardless of whether you actually take advantage of this option. Makes you wonder if someone from AA is reading these posts???

Looking more like YYZ will now be the starting point. Here are the quotes that I just received from AA for originating in Canada (all in USD):

Economy - 3 zones $2180.35
4 zones $2559.25
Business- 3 zones $3886.63
4 zones $4570.63

You might want to consider what we are doing and start your RTW from Spain. We are buying a seperate RT TPA-MAD to start and end the RTW (~$800 for coach and upgrading with milage to business) . Our trip is then MAD-SCL-IPC-SYD-ADL-PER-DPS-SIN-BKK-LHR-WAW-BUD-MAD This business class fare is ~$3500 (4 continents). This total price (~$4300)is much less than starting from either the USA or Canada which requires 5 continents for the trip.

Plus more miles. The rules state ( at least 2 months ago they did) that if you fly from EUR - AUS, you have to go through ASIA and you will be charged even if you have only a connection. In other words if you ever want to go RTW and include AUS, you have to buy 4 Conts. Actually, if you include any southern henisphere conts, you have to buy 4 conts minimum.

Thanks for the good advice. It seems that a 4 continent RTW ex-Spain in business is the same as ex-USA in economy. AA has a ~$600 fare MIA-MAD in "N" class till 31 March. I still have to add the GCM-MIA fare which is ~$300.

But since my RTW is fared at 4 continents, I am going "find" some more time and take a few stopovers in Asia. More importantly, I now have the option of flying CX for several long-haul portions. I have not flown CX but all reports indicate that this OW partner offers excellent in-flight service compared to other carriers.

The latest itinerary comes to 16 segments - they sure add up quickly!

Only a week to go before my first RTW! Purchased the ticket (now in D class) over a month ago and have already made a number of substantial changes to the itinerary. The biggest downer was not being able to include AKL-PPT as QF no longer operates this route (only code-shares). And due to sold out domestic flights within Spain just before x-mas, I am "forced" to take IB transatlantic in order to make a double connection to GRX. The amount of hours spent researching just the flights for this trip has been unbelievable. That could also be due to my initial lack of experience but it has also been a great way to learn about the almost infinite possibilities of flight routings.
So, here is the absolute final itinerary, which of course, is always subject to change:
YYZ-ORD-MAD-BCN-GRX (AA, IB)
GRX-BCN-LHR-HKG-SYD (IB, BA, CX)
SYD-AKL (QF)
AKL-MEL-BKK (QF)
BKK-HKG-LAX (CX)
LAX-MIA-GCM (AA)
GCM-MIA-YUL (AA)
Presumably, I will be "encouraged" to file a trip report and will do so as time allows!

you should try to get your cx segemnt total up to 6 so you can get the maximizer bonus of 10K miles in your aa account(assuming that's where your putting these miles).

The CX programme to get a 10K bonus per 6 Biz/First flights ends on 12/31/00. It will be missed!!!

Since I am starting in YYZ, there is the CX double mileage bonus to HKG but unfortunately, scheduling will not allow me to take advantage of this routing.
So, for D class seating on the BA, CX, & QF 747, I presume that the upper deck is preferable. If so, is there such a thing as an "undesirable" seat in D class???

KIR@GCM:

Back in the summer, I took a MEL-AKL and AKL-SYD seg. Both of them were booked as Domestic biz (i.e. 2 classes) but we were able to book row 2 for both flights. It turned out that they were 3 cabin aircraft so we had the sleeper seats for both.

Since it was booked as a domestic seg they could only sell the front cabin as a biz ticket. If you happen to be able to get on one of those type flights, you could be seated in a little bit better seat than usual if you choose a forward seat (row 1 - 4). Check the configuration of the plane.

Also, is it LHR - HKG or NRT that BA has the new beds now?

You said that Qantas isn't flying the Akl-PPT route anymore. In the timetable I recieved yesterdat it says they still fly it twice a week with their planes:

Mondays and Wednesdays QF317 d1735/a2335.
They have a codeshare with Air Tahiti Nui on Fridays QF3343 d1450/a2055.

Did they drop QF317? I hope not because I plan to take this flight next year and then hook up with LanChile to continue to Easter Island and Santiago (LA834).Best wishes for an awesome trip.