Planning my first RTW -
 

Hey fellow Ft'ers. Ideas would be appreciated.

Here are the parameters of the trip -

1) Fly Biz - working toward AA EXP -
2) I leave from DFW - open to using cheap tkt to get to someplace to buy cheap RTW -
3) Maximize miles -
4) I need to visit Chian Mai, Thailand - and Novosibirsk, Russis.
-- Chian Mai appears closest to BKK
--- Novosibirsk between Moscow and Beijing.
5) I could do this on a 3 Con - Eur/Asia/NA run. Not sure if paying extra to go 4 continents is worth extra $$ for the miles. I wouldn't be staying at 4th continent -- just going for miles.

I've done lots of reading so I have an idea of maximizine miles in a region -

I'm open to any and all ideas.

Thanks,
CFM

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TANSTAAFL - but if you work it right, FF miles comes pretty close.

Hi CFM,

I wont be able to answer concerning AA miles and how to achieve AA EXP. However for a cheaper RTW in biz class, you could go either to Cairo (and use EMECO travel agent) or Bangkok. BKK might be better as you need to visit CNX. You will have to buy a BKK-CNX ticket separately.

While in Asia, you can maximise miles by flying BKK-HKG-CMB-HKG and have a look at Sri Lanka. For OVB, I should fly from HKG to Moscow via HEL with AY or LHR with CX and BA. You will maximise miles by flying via LHR. Transaero will probably offer cheaper flights from Moscow to OVB than Siberia Airlines from Beijing to OVB.

Your route would be something like this:
DFW-BKK-DFW on an add-on ticket
BKK-HKG on CX, 1st Asia segment
HKG-CMB on CX, 2nd Asia segment
CMB-HKG on CX, 3rd Asia segment
HKG-LHR on CX or BA
LHR-SVO on BA, 1st Europe segment
MOW-OVB-MOW on Transaero or something else
SVO-LHR on BA, 2nd Europe segment
2 more Europe segments (probably LHR-DXB-LHR if maximising miles)
flight from Europe to the US on AA
6 North American flights
JFK-HKG on CX
HKG-BKK on CX, 4th Asia segment

Hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by JuPe (edited Jan 14, 2004).]

Thanks for a nice start. What I have to figure out is - is the total price cheaper if I buy a tkt to Europe and start there, ot pay more to get to HKG or BKK and start from there.

I have AA miles in the account. Can I use AA miles to upgrade on other OneWorld airlines?

thanks,

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TANSTAAFL - but if you work it right, FF miles comes pretty close.

Sorry, no UG with AA miles for other OW airlines.
Used to be able with CX J->F but not any more.

With no UG's on code share - that means AA to NRT - buy cheap econ and UG - then start RTW Biz fare
or Europe, same plan.

Thanks.