I am trying to book the following route (DONE5) in business class ex Oslo: OSL - x/LHR - JNB - MEL - ASP - SYD - HND - x/DFW - ATL - x/MIA - FDF - x/MIA - JFK - LHR - OSL

The problem here is the JNB - MEL connection: there are no flights JNB -MEL, but there is QF64, JNB-SYD. Looking around Jan 30th 2024. QF64 seems not possible to book in D-class. So, as an alternative i am looking at JNB - x/DOH - MELon Qatar or JNB - x/HKG - MEL on Cathay. Are these both valid connections? I thought, since May or so, you could arrive from another continent twice in Asia or in Middle East? Please advise.

And then: currently, the flight from SYD to HND is on QF. Somewhere, i read that you can reduce the taxes by replacing this segment by JL (JL 52 seems to be offered daily end of February 2024 on SYD - HND). But when using the online tool on the Oneworld website, this flight is never offered.

Any advice is highly appreciated



I found an agent here in the Netherlands willing to issue, but they keep going with the direct QF64 flight, offering it in economy class. I think i can fly via HKG or DOH in business.

The Oneworld tool is very buggy and not to be relied upon. I'd suggest investing in a subscription to Expert Flyer, where you can see availability by booking class on any flight. JL 52 looks like it has lots of D seats available in late February.

For JNB-MEL, I'd probably go with CX via HKG to reduce the YQ fees, but if BA is issuing the ticket in the first place, you'll be fighting an uphill battle as BA whacks YQ on most everything.

Thank you Gardyloo. I do have a subscription on EF. Indeed, JL52 shows lots of D seats available in late February, however, the online tool doesn't show the lfight as an option at all.

So, you agree that JNB-x/HKG-MEL is a valid connection even when entering Asia again flying SYD-HND? Because i guess i have to convince the agent that all is withing the rules for a DONE5

oneworld Explorer 20Mar2023 (ctfassets.net)
Section 4 (e) -

Only one intercontinental departure and one intercontinental arrival permitted in each continent except as follows:
1. Two permitted in North America.
2. Two permitted in Asia.
3. Two permitted in Europe/Middle East for travel to/from/via Africa. If travel is to/from Europe in both directions, itinerary may not include Mauritius/South Africa.

The proposed routing from JNB-DOH-MEL would not be legal. A routing via Asia would be.

Thanks. According to the agent, they are not able to price a DONE5 with JNB-x/HKG-MEL on Cathay in the itinerary. Elsewhere in this forum, there are questions about TA's who are able to issue such a ticket.
I have now sent a PM to an FT-er in Germany who (in 2005....) invited to PM her/him for RTW tickets. In the meantime, all other TA - lurkers, PM me if you can issue a DONE5 or know an agent who can do this. I am based in AMS but an agent in Germany or in the UK would be fine

I can't find the post referencing them, but I did a search through the OW forum the other day and found someone recommending Sky Travel Agent as a German option.