Take your point on planning in advance, but not sure how you'd check in for the first flight without clearing immigration.

Why do you think you need to clear immigration to check in? Disregarding Covid-19 for the moment, I (and many others here) have started xonex tickets while remaining in transit at various places around the globe. You will often see in this forum discussion of the possibility of remaining in transit when starting in certain out of the way locations.

Because I have had to do so previously when starting a ticket that isn't on the same PNR as the one I flew in on. Collecting baggage and re-checking it is often the issue. I guess this can be dealt with by ensuring you fly in on a carrier who has an interline arrangement with Sri Lankan Airlines (on the assumption it's likely that the first flight out will be on Sri Lankan). However, that will restrict the choice of inbound flights. What you can do seems to vary from airport to airport - I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has started a xonex ticket from CMB in transit. I've been to CMB many times and I'm sure it wouldn't be possible to collect and re-check baggage without clearing immigation and customs.

Would be good if you could point me towards the discussions you're referring to.

Ah, I see, yes I agree if one is checking bags it will be difficult (if not impossible). Having separate tickets do not necessarily mean that one cannot transit or remain in transit but having to pickup and recheck baggage will be the problem.
I have started a done4 from CMB while in transit, I did not check any bags on my positioning flight to CMB.

Hi folks, perhaps foolishly, I'm looking at OneWorld RTW fares for 2022 in the hope enough places open up to make it viable.

I'm going to book with BA directly, most probably, am familiar with ITA Matrix to find good routings, and understand the restrictions and considerations of DONE4 vs DGLOB34. I have 2 questions though:

1: With Fiji Airways joining as a OneWorld Connect member, my understanding is that any flights operated by them are only available on DGLOB34, even if booked on QF/CX/AA/BA codes. Is this correct?

2. Is the whole Eurozone priced the same, or does it differ by country? If it differs, are there any hints for decent places to start? I'm aware that Norway is probably the best price in Europe, does anyone have any further recommendations?

The $125 change fee appeals, especially as I'll probably put a few AA legs in there which will likely get a schedule change allowing free amendments, and I'm happy to gamble one of Japan, HK, S Korea or China would be open to visit, or at least to transfer through, by next May/June.

Correct. The only exception is QF*/JQ.

One option that might work is to arrange the xONEx so that your first flight takes you to a place you will also transit en route when positioning; stay overnight at a hotel there as part of your inbound positioning, leave your luggage at the hotel, and stay or just pop in to collect your bags after the first xONEx flight. That way you don't check any bags into CMB or wherever the xONEx starts.

Right now, a DONE4 shows as:


So it appears that countries priced in Euros are priced the same, but this is obviously not an exhaustive list.

Thank you - looks like a couple of day trips to Oslo will be in order.

I just noticed that EF says DONE4 base pricing ex-ALG is US$5962. Algeria is included in "Europe" for OWE purposes, and in addition to nonstops to/from LHR, Royal Air Maroc shows Algiers as a destination from CMN. I can't find any flight schedules for ALG-CMN on ITA, but maybe that's Covid-related. In "normal" times you can access quite a few international and intercontinental destinations from CMN. No idea about surcharges or nuisance fees that RAM might charge.

OSL remains competitive ( especially compared to ex-LHR) and is easy to position/re-position. I've completed 1 ex-OSL DONE4 & currently re-issuing (4x now) the second DONE4 due to the pandemic. I particularly like the fact I can schedule many QR segments. As for itinerary in North America, AS is also a very viable option in terms of to/from Alaska.
Good luck, report back re your progress.

In the past, OSL and ARN were equivalently priced, and ARN has two hotels inside the airport, making it easy to schedule the positioning flights with an overnight and not need to bring a coat or anything warm to wear even in winter. I believe the closest hotel in OSL still requires walking outside for long enough that not having a coat would be impractical. I try hard to never check bags, and bringing a coat would be a problem on an itinerary that otherwise goes only to warm places. I may have to work harder to schedule same-day turns for the positioning flights or check a bag and brig a coat.

Under the prices you listed in your post a week ago it looks like OSL is about $900 cheaper than ARN atm; although that short walk from the airport to the Scandic can be very cold I would probably do it for that amount of savings.

When I positioned to OSL (twice so far, once just over night), I'd overnight at the Radisson Blu. Took me about 5 minute walk from the exit to the hotel (path way has cover). Next to the hotel is the train station. When I had a bit more time during positioning, I'd go into city center by train. All very convenient.

Have done that on a couple of DONEs commencing both KHI where I left bags in HKG and did a same plane return.
Let the CSM know on the inbound and they messaged the station who checked me in for the return and brought my boarding pass to me airside.