In a few cases one is allowed a second entry into a continent (e.g. Asia from SWP if one is a transit). Does this come out of the four segments allowed in SWP or is it essentially "free"?

In case that wasn't a clear question, does YVR->HKG->(transit)->AKL->CCH->SYD->MEL->PER->DPS->SIN->BKK->HKG->LHR->etc get me through SWP, Asia with 4 segments, 3 segments, or does the PER->DPS re-entry into Asia count against one or the other total?

It is free; your routing has 3 segments in Asia and 4 in SWP.

Jon, you cant do that. You can only transit Asia between SWP and Europe, not wherever you feel like it.

>You can only transit Asia between SWP and Europe

Did I miss that in the rules on FewMiles' site, or are they partial? We can route YVR-LAX-AKL to avoid the first Asian transit, assuming we can use the QF codeshare on AS, but it adds a long layover. I think first I'll ask my TA to try to sneak that past the rtw desk.

Yes, you did, I am sorry to say. Read carefully, and you will find it. I am not at home, so I don't have access to his site at the moment, so I can't post an excerpt. Sorry. But it does say it in the exceptions to the continent entry or exit. From memory (which probably proves how pathetic I am), it says something to the affect of

Exception:
Between Europe and Southwest Pacific if direct flight (one flight number) or transit without stopover.

Basically the difference is that you can either use the direct flight by Qantas or BA, or you can use Cathay or a combo, as long as its a transit (under 24h). I think most people would only use one airline, but you could actually use BA to Tokyo and QF to Sydney if you really wanted to. Why? I have no idea... Or if you wanted to try both BA and CX, you could take British to Hong Kong and Cathay to Sydney or Melbourne. And so on....

Too bad for that rule. I think I'll still try and see if they enforce it. NA direct to SWP with a transit through Asia makes just as much sense as Europe-SWP through Asia.

We always do our rtw's westbound (better for jetlag?) and ex-YVR (CA fares). We could start with YVR-LAX-AKL but the first (QF codeshare) leg would be on AS metal and I doubt it would be eligible.

Otherwise, I suppose we can use our 4 Asian sectors first, then SWP, thence AKL-SYD-Europe on BA or CX (or QF for that matter, tho' we've never done a longhaul on them and don't know how they compare. I think we'd end up with a lot of miles doing it that way, which doesn't impress me.

I have read it carefully (very carefully), and it seems clear that it ALLOWS transit from NA to SWP through Asia. Here is the relevant rule from the website:
3. 1 INTERCONTINENTAL DEPARTURE AND 1
INTERCONTINENTAL ARRIVAL PERMITTED
IN EACH CONTINENT EXCEPT AS FOLLOWS.
- 2 PERMITTED IN NORTH AMERICA. 1 MUST BE A TRANSIT WITHOUT STOPOVER BETWEEN SOUTH AMERICA AND ANOTHER CONTINENT
- 2 PERMITTED IN ASIA. 1 MUST BE A TRANSIT WITHOUT STOPOVER -OR- ON DIRECT SINGLE PLANE SERVICE BETWEEN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AND EUROPE.

Note the -OR- after the transit without stopover. The purpose of the rule escapes me (isn't a single plane service without a stopover by definition (I suppose it doesn't meet the definition of "transit")?), but in any case the "transit without stopover" can be from any continent to SWP ... at least that is how I read the rule.

On the other topic, codeshares are not allowed, so the AS flight codeshared as QF is not eligible on this fare. Only exception for codeshares is is both are Oneworld airlines (so an AA flight codeshared as QF is allowed).

The Oneworld rules are at http://plaza.powersurfr.com/fewmiles...wenotes.html#1

Clarified to say that is DOESN'T say "transit without stopover between Europe and SWP", therefore the meaning is that ANY continent is allowed ... Oneworld sets the rules, so legally any ambiguity is determined by the consumer.

[This message has been edited by number_6 (edited 04-18-2002).]

Yes you can transit asia en route to SWP from NA or vice versa. I had a ticket issued which involved SYD - HKG - YYZ before travelling onto Europe and then Asia (HKG - BOM - HKG - SIN - HKG), finally returning to Australia

There shouldn't be any problems at all with your routing.

The rules are that whatever you can get ticketed, that is what the rules are. However, the rule stated another way is that you can enter Asia twice if its either a direct flight between Europe and SWP or a transit flight between the same. The confusion exists because of a missed comma. But then again, what do I know? Good luck with it.

Whew! Y'all are wearing out this Asia thing!! Basically you can only visit each continent one time. The exception is, as Darren has said, between only SWP and Europe.The reasoning is that there just isn't any way to get around that fuel stop in Asia. JohnAx, you can't go through HKG to get to the SWP and then go back to do your segments there later. You can do all of your Asia part, do the SWP, and then transit Asia to get to Europe, either on a single plane service that stops for gas or a connection that allows you up to 24h. Or SWP, Asia, Europe. The flights from one continent to another do not count as segments within any continent.

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the guidance. I've still gotta get it ticketed, but now I have some confidence that my point of view on the rule is likely to get at least *some* support (and we all know it only takes one 'yes') and can go ahead with the logical routing.

The rules are quite explicit. YOu will be able to transit asia en route to SWP before going back to asia and stopping there.

3. 1 INTERCONTINENTAL DEPARTURE AND 1
INTERCONTINENTAL ARRIVAL PERMITTED
IN EACH CONTINENT EXCEPT AS FOLLOWS.
- 2 PERMITTED IN NORTH AMERICA. 1 MUST BE A TRANSIT WITHOUT STOPOVER BETWEEN SOUTH AMERICA AND ANOTHER CONTINENT
- 2 PERMITTED IN ASIA. 1 MUST BE A TRANSIT WITHOUT STOPOVER -OR- ON DIRECT SINGLE PLANE SERVICE BETWEEN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AND EUROPE.

"must be a transit without stopover" - no mention that this must occur en route from SWP to Europe.

"-or-" means exactly that - or! ie: either the first must apply or the second, not both!!

Good luck

I tend to agree with [b]chiym[7b], also because it would come in most handy here as I'm looking at a possible itinerary. Are there any confirmations from OW on the point?

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airOli, the Swiss Air Line.

TA's had it for a day, so CX is probably looking at it at the moment. I'll post the answer asap.

Just to bring this topic back to the top, did anyone ever get a definitive answer on whether NA-Asia-SWP transit and return to Asia is permitted on OW RTW? Has anyone successfyully ticketed this itinerary with either the AA RTW desk or CX?