Hi there,

I am having some trouble understanding the rules relating to stop-overs and/or segments.

I am thinking of a OWE4 from CAI and understand that I am then allowed 2 stopovers in Europe (either at the start or end).

So if I do CAI-DXB(via LHR) is that my two Europe stops done?, and would I then have to buy another stop to get out of Europe?

Likewise, if I want to head straight to africa..CAI-NBO (via LHR) does LHR count as a stop?

Thanks for your help.
B

You are allowed two stopovers in Europe. A stopover occurs if th ebreak between consecutive flights is 24 hours or more.

You cannot buy more stopovers in your country of origin.

If you fly CAI-LHR-NBO then you have used one of the four segments you are allowed in Europe (CAI-LHR). If you stay in London less than 24 hours then you have not used a stopover, but if more than 24 hours then you have used one.

Note that if you start like this then you have to exit Africa either on the CX flight from JNB to HKG, or from ACC or NBO to North America or (I think) Asia via a transit (<24 hours) in London.

Fantastic, so CAI-LHR-DXB, DXB-LHR-NBO counts as 1 first continent (EUR) and 1 Afria stop, leaving me with 1 Europe stop right at the end??

Was planning to use the JNB-HKG to get into asia...

Yes, CAI-LHR-DXB-LHR-NBO will only use one of your two allowed European stops assuming you transit LHR both times in <24 hours.

However, you have used three of your allowed maximum of four segments in Europe. As you need to use your fourth segment to return to CAI to complete your trip your options for a second stop are pretty limited: BCN or LHR. Although you cannot buy extra segments in Europe, you could use a "surface" segment from wherever you want to make that second stopover to BCN or LHR.

I had planned to use my last stop at LHR, and not fly the last LHR-CAI leg as I dont really want to end in CAI....so that should work out ok.

Thanks for all your help

You have to return to the country where you started your OWE. The only exception is the USA/Canada one. Otherwise, you will be liable for a lot more $$$ than the OWE fare. Not sure if you can go to both CAI and DXB. I thought one was limited to 2 segments between London and a list of cities in the Middle East which is where CAI and DXB are located.

Sorry, I didnt word that to good....I will get it ticketed back to CAI, but let the final LHR-CAI leg "expire/slip" (or whatever you want to call it) when I arrive in London (hey it London right - surely OW could understand someone getting sidetracked....)

Oh, and dosnt the middle east rule not apply, as CAI is classed in europe?

I'm with headinclounds on this one. The "Europe" Continent should more accuratley be described as Europe, Middle East and North Africa. CAI is classed as Europe for Continent purposes but is most definatley included in the Middle East for the "no more than 2 flights between London and Middle East." From my reading of the rules CAI-LHR-DXB-LHR would not be allowed. As you have to return to your country of origin your two flights would be CAI-LHR-CAI.

[This message has been edited by Gaza (edited 03-06-2003).]

I'd see if you can get a favorable BA ruling that will allow the extra two segments as you are originating in CAI and have no way to avoid eating up your limit of two allowed segments between LHR and Egypt or the UAE.

Assuming BA laughs at you (which I expect they might) and you really want to go to DXB, this ought to get you there for a few extra ���. Originate CAI to BCN then do surface segment to LHR (buy a cheap fare on BD or IB or even BA, BCN-LHR). Do your DXB trip. At the end of your journey return to LHR and do another surface segment LHR-BCN and the last OWE segment, BCN-CAI.

If you truly plan to chance not returning to CAI to complete the journey then I would leave the BCN-CAI segment open dated. You are rolling the dice that BA won't come after you after the ticket expires.

I wouldn't worry about not using the last segment. I have done that more than once (LHR-CDG normally) with no problem.