OWE RTW does not have to RTW now?
 

heard this new OWE rule.

since 9/15, you no longer have to pass both oceans to be called RTW.
i.e. Asia-Europe-Aussie-Asia is a 3 continent "RTW", as a corrolary, Asia-NA-Aussie-Asia, Europ-NA-SA-Europe as well? i suppose there is no stopover if you pass through BKK on route LHR-SYD.
can out friends who have Sabre access confirm?

But aren't these a seperate type of Oneworld fare?

the one you mentioned where it is Asia-australia-North America-Asia is considered to be a "Circle Pacific" fare which is totally different from the Oneworld X Continent fares.

seems it is OWE, but 'circle-anywhere' now.
see www.169travel.com
(the site is in chinese)

Only a Global Explorer need not be RTW. The example you mentioned above is not Circle Pacific as Europe is not in the Pacific.

OWE is still very much a RTW fare.

Global Explorer rules seem to suggest that it must be a RTW. Then again, maybe not. Anyone know what Areas 1, 2, and 3 are?

FewMiles..

------------------
[ FlyerTalkers' Resources on the Web ]
[ Unofficial Guide to AAdvantage ] [ Unofficial oneworld Info Desk ]

There are indeed two variations available from Australia at least that do not require RTW travel.

3 Continent Oneworld circle trip AUS-Asia-Africa-AUS

4 Continent Oneworld circle trip AUS-Asia-Europe-Africa-AUS

There are some rule variations from the standard Oneworld RTW fares. eg stopovers are limited to 2 in each continent and the 4 continent fare allows a maximum of only 6 stopovers in total as opposed to a maximium of 19 stops 0n the 4 continent RTW fare or more if you buy extra segments.

For complete rules go to www.travel.com.au and type in SYD-JNB return for the 3 continent and SYD-LHR return for the 4 continent.

Pricing is exactly the same as the RTW Oneworld Explorer fare

areas 1/2/3 are basically dividing the earth vertically. NA&SA; Asia&Oz; Europ&Africa
so, each point in 1/2/3 mean RTW

I think what you quoted says it all, you must cross the Atlantic and the Pacific exactly once. If you add the requirement of finishing the trip in the country of origin it's quite clearly RTW.