I've never used GEs; always 3 or 4 ONEs each year. Could anyone summarize the circumstances in which one would choose one over the other, please?

I too am interested in some comments on this

It's not the answer you want, but it just depends on what you want to do. In general, if you want to see more places in a given area or in two given areas rather than see less of a lot of areas, then go with a GE. If you want to see less places in a given area but want to see places that are very far apart, then go with a OWE.

That probably makes no sense, so here's an example. Lets say there are two people, both leaving from the US. One wants to see a lot of Europe and Asia, but has no interest in the US, South America, or Australia. Then go with a Global Explorer because you can set it up so that you have 10 or 11 stops in each of Asia and Europe but minimal stops otherwise. Conversely, if the other wants to see Easter Island, Angel Falls, Kruger, the Burj al Arab, Ayers Rock, the South Island, a Legong Dance, and buy some Japanese electronics on the way back, the trip is impractical with a 39k mile limit and she would be better off with the Oneworld Explorer.

Different strokes for different folks.

Be careful with this. You are now limited to 20 segments total for both OWE and GE so the 10 or 11 stops in both Asia and Europe will be a bit too many.

Yeh, right. I haven't been yet subject to the max so it's not something I have paid much attn to. But you are right. You need really only three segments to get around the world, so I guess you could have 19 stopovers in the two continents in this particular case.

[This message has been edited by Darren (edited 07-27-2003).]

There are other OWE products.

OWE circle trip
continent/stopover limit

OWE cricle pacific
mileage base

One of the other advantages of the GE is the other airlines included that aren't available with the OWE. This is especially useful for the South Pacific, where you can fly from Easter Island to Tahiti and then on to NZ or Aus. It also opens up options with Air Pacific to explore other islands that are again out of reach with the OWE. With Gulf Air included too there's the same flexibility within the mid-east that isn't really present with the OWE as well (though I'm not so familiar with that part of the world myself).

Overall I think that's the main benefit, added flexibility in some areas that the oneworld airlines are weak in, and as stated before, the possibility of utilising additional segments within the one region.

A random sampling of global explorer prices show that they are the same as a ONE4. So, if you want to visit another continent, fly in then out, you don't have to pay for a ONE5. Saves about 10% of the price. Also, in BC and FC, no 10 day mininum trip length (not sure if that is SW Pacific only rule).

As always some interesting insights from FTers. I knew about the additional airlines in GE but the comparision between GE and AONE4 had missed me in the past. Thanks.