Thanks for responding. My first stop in LHR will be about 4 months so no good for the second stop then !!!!

Thanks also for the clarification around the final destination.

Planning to get my RTW changed this week - some more questions (note I have already flown my first segment)

1 - I was ending in CAI but based on above response I am assuming DOH will be ok ?

2 - I am doing route changes as well as date changes and going from 13 segments to 15 - will it just be $125 change fee plus taxes or will there be any form of fare adjustment as well ?

Thanks

125 change fee
plus
​​​​​​​tax and applicable fuel surcharge - picking the right carriers are very important.

Thanks for those numbers; this is very interesting.

One also has to take into account, of course, the strategy of using 'positioning' flights to take advantage of an attractive fare at a particular xONEx originating point. People will have their own reasons for choosing where and how they embark on an RTW (e.g., is the start/end country a desirable destination in and of itself, or is it merely a transit from the positioning flight to the xONEx). Our last RTW was a DONE5 ex-JNB because we spent a week in South Africa at the end. Otherwise, however, a DONE4 generally gets us where we want to go. In those circumstances, a DONE4 ex-NRT will save us close to $1000 p.p. compared to a DONE5 from JNB -- which savings help to seriously defray the cost of the positioning ticket. And since the xONE4 and xONE5 both have the same 16-sector limit, the potential for racking up boocoo FF points is unaffected.

Many thanks

Trying to change my ex CAI DONE5. The airline that issued the ticket and has made previous changes now tells me the below is not a valid routing because I am "backtracking" by leaving Europe, entering Africa and reentering Europe (CAI-xLHR-CPT-xLHR-BKK, etc. then returning to Europe). Have not flown 1st segment yet but the airline doesn't seem to care.

CAI-xLHR-CPT-xLHR-BKK-KIX-HKG-AKL-SCL-MIA-LAX-xMAD-KEF-xTXL-DME-xDOH-CAI

The airline doesn't seem them to be concerned with any other part of the itinerary so I'm not bringing it up. Their only issue is the "backtracking" from LHR-CPT-LHR. I told them I can reenter Europe solely to transit but they say no. Who is right? What rule specifies I can reenter Europe for transit? Previously the same itinerary went CAI-xLHR-JNB-xDOH-AKL, etc. returning to Europe, but I had to get rid of Africa for personal reasons and now trying to add it back in is tough. They tell me that I cannot go LHR-CPT-DOH-BKK (going through DOH instead of LHR) because that is backtracking also and I won't be able to return to DOH at the end of the trip! I'm trying not to complain too loudly because the airline is willing to make changes without asking too many questions.

According to Oneworld Explorer rule sheet:

https://www.oneworld.com/documents/1...9-d346ec820edf

xLHR-CPT-xLHR is to/from Europe in both directions. So you can not go to South Africa(CPT).

CAI-LHR-JNB-xDOH-BKK-... is permitted.
CAI-LHR-NBO-xLHR-BKK-...is permitted.

Furthermore,

xMAD-KEF-xTXL-DME-xDOH-CAI

contains 5 segments in Europe/Middle East. Only 4 segments are permitted in Europe/Middle East continent.

EDIT EDIT *** (With CAI-LHR, there are 6 segments in Europe/ME continent) *** EDIT EDIT

Because you have to do
For example, you cann't do
CAI-xLHR-JNB-xDOH-xLHR-BKK
DOH has to be a transit point between Africa and the previous/next continent(Asia/SWP/N.A).

About
You can do
CAI-xLHR-CPT-xDOH-BKK

About this part, an airline agent is wrong under current rule.

BTW, my current ex-MPM AONE4 is (not include double entries to Europe from non-Africa originating)
MPM-xDOH-HND-BKK-NRT-CMB-NRT-LAX-LHR-DXB-LHR//CDG-DOH-CDG//LHR-JNB

Now I'm confused. What's the difference between those 2 permitted routes and what I've got? What's the difference if I transit LHR (xLHR) in both directions or DOH? Or what's the difference between CAI-LHR-JNB-xDOH-BKK (you say permitted) and the CAI-xLHR-CPT-xLHR-BKK that I have? I don't see a difference, further your permitted route has a stopover in LHR.

Edit: Rule 4 (e) (3) allows 2 intercontinental departures from Europe/Middle East but I have a tough time interpreting the right side of the table providing conditions.

The issuing airline hasn't brought this up so neither will I. I know I can terminate at DOH, however, they are forcing me to terminate at CAI.

Again, I really don't care whether I transit in LHR or DOH, but I fail to see the difference between this example and my routing. Are you saying that I simply cannot transit LHR twice? Even though DOH is still "Europe?"

Bottom line. I want to go to CPT then to BKK (without flying JNB-HKG). How do you suggest I modify that route to comply with the rules so that I can cite the rule to them that it is permissible? Thank you for your help so far.

In my understanding, and some airline agents understanding, the key point is to distinguish Europe/Middle East Continent, Europe zone, and Middle East zone.
Some airline agents and I agree to this point.

In page 2
There are four possible paths for Europe/Middle East - Africa - Europe/Middle East (Ignoring other restriction)

Europe zone - Africa - Europe zone (ex. LHR-JNB-LHR, LHR-NBO-LHR)
Europe zone - Africa - Middle East zone (LHR-JNB-DOH)
Middle East zone - Africa - Europe zone (DOH-JNB-LHR)
Middle East zone - Africa - Middle East zone (DOH-JNB-DOH)

When you to/from Europe (zone) in both direction (Europe zone -Africa - Europe zone), the itinerary may not include South Africa/Mauritius.
Therefore, LHR-JNB-LHR is invalid, and LHR-NBO-LHR is valid.

After that, you have to satisfy
So,
IMHO,
CAI-xLHR-CPT-xDOH-BKK-...-xMAD-...-DOH is valid routing.

However, I realized your original routing includes 6 segments in Europe/Middle East continents.
(CAI-LHR,xMAD-KEF-xTXL-DME-xDOH-CAI)

Where are the best places to start DONEX tickets from? (PM Please)
 

Hi All

Can anyone suggest (by PM as I understand why) where are the best ex-options for a DONEX ticket now, I realise ex-CAI is not workable these days.

Thanks in advance

very TiredDoc

I don't think there are any secret places to start a DONEx

The recognised low-cost starting points are:
- Mozambique
- South Africa
- Japan

I have fond memories of Sagy's auto-updating spreadsheet... but those days, it seems, are long gone.

Is there any other centralized place where fares from these origins are posted (in their local currencies)? Searching this long thread (and the larger forum) shows various prices at various times, and sometimes at varying exchange rates to USD. It's honestly hard to keep track of what's current [especially as exchange rates evolve], and squeezing this info from the online tool is a totally excruciating exercise.

You can easily get them using Expert Flyer and/or KVS, both paid services. https://www.expertflyer.com/ and http://www.kvstool.com/

They aren't advertised because most countries (and the EU) require airfares to be shown including relevant taxes and fees. Because each route in RTW itineraries is unique, with different taxes and fees applicable, it's impossible to list them in normal advertising channels.

You can see the "base" fares on those two sources, but remember that taxes and fees can make a huge difference, sometimes enough to outweigh the "positioning" cost benefits. You should do your cost estimating using an "all in" method - base fare plus taxes/fees plus cost of positioning pre- and post-RTW. It might make a difference, or end up being such a small difference that the hassle factor of schlepping halfway around the world to save $500 merits a second thought.

ATPCO will sell you a subscription to their all fares data ... :) but the monthly cost will buy you many AONE6s.

On, ahem, a slightly off topic note would people be interested in a subscription to a web service that did notify you when a particularly good xONEx fare was published?