CAI dilemma
 

Am planning to commence a DONE4 from CAI but am still mulling over the options for a side ticket to get there before and back after.

BA discounted Y return is ~ GBP 500, there are cheaper alternatives using non-OW carriers such as Austrian Airlines, Olympic, Air France, Egyptair and Alitalia [though the layover times for Alitalia are extreme].

If I buy a 1-way Y ticket with any of these, I could get away with around GBP 200. I could then combine this with a 1-way C fare on BA CAI-LHR of GBP 500.

Anyone lurking here have any suggestions for choosing a non-UK point of origin to get a good Y/C deal and keep all travel within OW?

Do you want full Y or discount Y. If you want discount Y a return should only be about £300. Otherwise try AMS departure of about 430euoros.

About the only good thing about BA's recent devaluation of their FF programme is the ability to obtain one-way awards. I'm using a one-way SAN-LHR-CAI to enable me to start a RTW AONE in CAI.

Why not obtain a one-way award from a European destination to CAI?

Because I'm not a member of the BA EC.

I couldn't figure out where you were starting from. From LAX we're using LGB-JFK on AA, then MS. Assuming their pilots are better screened these days, it's quick and very cheap. Even F - thatever that means to them - is only USD1500.

Anywhere in Europe

The average fare between LHR and CAI on most carriers serving LHR are around GBP 280-200. Don't look for them online. You have to contact a large travel agency in London for unpublished fares.