Hello All,

I just have an update on my DONE4 routings and come to the following:

1) (Original Plan)

SYD-HKGx-LHR-EDI-LHR-LIN-LHR-DXB-LHR-CDG-LHR-LAX-MIA-BOS-ORD-LGA//JFK-HKG-SIN-HKG-NRT-HKG-AKLx-MEL-PERx-SYD

x denotes transit < 24 Hrs
//= Open Jaw
LHR-EDI-LHR and LHR-CDG-LHR = seperate BA.com ticket


2) (New Plan)

SYD-HKGx-JFK-ORDx-BOS-MIAx-LAXx-LHRx-DXB-LHR//LCY-EDI-CDG-LHRx-LIN-LHR-HKG-NRT-HKG-SIN-HKG-AKLx-MEL-PERx-SYD

x denotes transit < 24 Hrs
//= Open Jaw
LCY-EDI-CDG-LHR = Oneworld Visit Pass


For 1) I can stay in HKG for longer (until 11:35pm) However I will have less days in LHR (I want to stay in London for Longer)

2) I am concern about CDG as I will be there from 1 Jan-3 Jan. Therefore don't know whether is it worth staying in CDG then?


Feel free to review and suggest which option I should take. I think for 2) I will get 500 less miles which I don't really care.

Is a Visit Pass really combinable with a xONE product?

What you do on your RTW is quite up to you. There are no rules to not fly home or take detours or whatever. OP is simply buying an additional product "Visit Pass" while in New York. I can't recall, but the two MAY actually have to be purchased at the same time as the RTW, since products like the visit pass often can only be purchased in conjunction with the internatiional flight bringing you to the country (to make sure that locals don't use it).

Yes, I get the bit about not being able to purchase within your own territory, but my understanding has always been that a Visit Pass isn't combinable with a xONE.

Your second option falls foul of the Asia transit rule. The rule states that the transit without stopover in Asia is only available to you when routing between SWP and Europe. You cannot use the second Asia transit when routing SWP to North America.
This has been discussed in other threads. Some would like to interpret this rule as "one must be transit without stopover (e.g. SYD-HKG-JFK), or on direct single plane service between SWP and Europe (e.g. SYD-SIN-LHR)". However, that interpretation requires the insertion of a comma to release the SWP to Europe restriction to only refer to the direct single plane service. This is not the way the rule was intended. Some people have reported that they managed to have a OWE issued the way you have suggested, but they have been lucky to find an agent who allows that invalid routing.

You can route SWP-ASIA-NA, but that pass through Asia is counted as your Asia stopover, even if you just transit HKG on the way. So your other touch through Asia must be "transit without stopover or on a direct single plane service between SWP and Europe".

The rules from travel.com.au:


"ONLY ONE INTERCONTINENTAL DEPARTURE AND ONE
INTERCONTINENTAL ARRIVAL IS PERMITTED IN EACH
CONTINENT - EXCEPT AS FOLLOWS:

2)TWO PERMITTED IN ASIA WHEN ONE IS A TRANSFER
WITHOUT STOPOVER OR ON DIRECT SINGLE PLANE
SERVICES BETWEEN THE SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AND
EUROPE;"


The fact they said "OR" leaves much room for debate. Also as it will be on CX's plate, I hope they will be more flexible!!!!

That is the great debate of several threads. Does the "BETWEEN THE SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AND EUROPE" refer only to the "DIRECT SINGLE PLANE SERVICES", or does it refer equally to the "TRANSFER WITHOUT STOPOVER"?

The intent of this rule is to permit travel between Europe and SWP as the exception since there is no other alternate for travel between these continents. The intent is not to allow travel as per your second option.

So if you find someone who will issue the ticket (rather than just make the reservations), then you should just take it an run. But don't assume your interpretation of the "OR" is the same as that of the issuing agent or you may be very disapointed and forced to make some last minute changes to your travel plans. And if you do manage to get it issued, don't try to re-issue later until after your have traveled the sectors in question.