Oneworld vs. Star RTW strategies for a "run"
 

Cross posted to Star forum under:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum82/HTML/000465.html


I keep getting asked about the core strategic differences involved in a run (mileage, status, tier points, etc.) on an RTW fare on OneWorld vs. Star. Here is my understanding from personal experience and by gleaming the knowledge here. Hopefully others can add to it:

- Both OW and * RTWs give you a huge price break (especially in Biz and F) over regular point-to-point fares. In return you get restrictions on routing and direction. The dates are still flexible except for the first flt (or the first intercontinental flt)
- The most popular Oneworld pricing is based on continents and segments and NOT on miles. So you can stitch together good mileage runs on OW fares since pricing is not based on mileage. This gives you status, tier points, miles, etc. The key for a run is to go after long haul direct/non-stop flts (example: transcon in the US, London-cairo/LCA/DBX/IST, Australia PER-BNE, SYD-PER, Australia-NewZealand, etc.)
- The primary *RTW fares are based on total actual mileage but there is no minimum mileage per segment. There is no limit on the continents. This allows *RTW fares to be used for segment runs (and usually since each segment is min 500 miles or so) with segments that are < 500 miles. Baht run, LAX-SNA run, etc.
- Both alliances allow "status run" possibilities with Biz/F tickets. AA platinum challenge, BA gold run, Lufthansa senator, segment runs on UA, etc. are examples.
- Within each continent both fares allow backtracking.
- OW now allows unlimited stopovers within a continent but with segment limits (previously there were limited free segments but unlimited paid segments). You can go through the same city many times (until you use up 8 segments in NA and 6 elsewhere).
- * limits you to one stopover per city (though they allow transit and typically use the 24hr rule to define stopovers).
- Both OW and * have RTW arrangements outside of their alliances but they seem to be converging on these alliance fares.
- There is a Starlite in economy from some parts of the world that does not really have a OW equivalent (an entrylevel RTW in coach).
- Both AA in OW and UA in * seem to allow VIPOW/SWUs to be used for upgrading RTW fares though the rules seem to imply this is not possible.
- OW allows you to purchase the ticket in North America even if travel originates in other parts of the world at the prices from these other parts. The only caveat is that the trip has to start in the origin ticketed for (Japan seems to be an exception to the rule). SOTO-Sold Outside and Ticketed Outside. * does not allow this. You will be charged the higher North American fare unless you actually get your tickets issued in lower priced country. There have been some workarounds reported especially in South Africa (effective SOTO instead of SITI).

I am sure I missed a lot; let the gurus take over.


[This message has been edited by clouds2cloud (edited 06-13-2001).]

1. i believe there are "lite" version for OWE,
at low seasons, e.g. ex-LHR rtw in Y in low season is cheper than ex-BKK

2. i thought the SOTO rule is related to regulations in the US, therefore, also possible for *? but of course it depends on the carrier agreement

Good point pegasus. There is variation in some fares based on season "low" vs. "high".

Regarding SITI/SOTO, national regulations and currency rules are only part of the equation. For example, in India to purchase a OW/Star RTW tickets you need to use foreign currency or a credit card issued abroad. On the other hand, there are several fares that are only available when purchased in Indian rupees (with an Indian passport, though they overlook that a lot). I believe it is combination of individual airline rules constrained by the broad regulatory regime and IATA "voluntary rules".

The specific SOTO workaround I was referring to for * was based on one of the threads in the * forum on emailing TAs or even airline offices in South Africa wiring them money in Rand and then getting the ticket actually issued in UK or other countries.

I do not have much experience with this. In the case of OW I have done it many times and it is a nobrainer and an explicit part of the arrangement.