Hi all,
I'm working on a DONE4 that I really want to get going on, will last 9 months to a year. I'm having a hard time pinning down an itinerary for such a lengthy period (I do know certain places and even dates, but not sure how I will get there). I expect to make decisions on the way, and am building into my costs 2 (and possibly even 3) route changes.

For example, I know I will go from
WAW-LHR to New Zealand but not sure where else in the pacific - likely one route change
Will go from NZ/Aus to Asia, again not really sure where or in what order - possible route change unless I know by the time I'm rebooking above
Asia - NA - definitely will have to do route changes closer to next summer when I will have firmer plans, will end up in Europe and plan some segments there in fall 2006

So given that, is it better to plan as simple an itinerary as possible for my initial booking? Perhaps just do WAW-LHR-AKL-SYD-SIN-CMB-BKK-HKG-LAX-JFK-LHR?

I assume there won't be a problem adding more segments, I will just have to pay the necessary additional taxes. Will it be a huge problem rerouting so many times?

Thanks.

Laurie

You will have to pay a reissue fee each time you reroute, in addition to the taxes.

Hi Lauri,

Keep in mind that you can chose destinations yet leave the ticket open dated. I only decide on the first date, then leave the rest of the ticket open dated. It's very easy to get the flights as I need them.

I'll leave it to others to advise you on whether you are better off chosing a possible 20 segment itinerary to then reissue as needed, or whether to ticket fewer sectors and add as needed.

It's doable and may even be to your advantage, as new routes are announced (and some go away) that might have an impact on your thinking. IMO the chances of the base price going up while you dither is more risky than the re-issue costs when and if you need to do so.

That is exactly the strategy i use when i am not sure where and when to go. Then ticket some intercontinental flights.
It is also possible to book/pay only 3 continents and then add continents for the difference in the original fare.
This works great for my ex CAI travel. Just book CAI-Europe and three continents and some other flights. It is even possible to change the direction of travel (West to East) when in Europe.
Yes, you need to pay the change fee, but this way you stay extremely flexible.