I have read the stickies on RTW and have a few questions I don't see answered. I am probably going RTW on a Business Class 3/4 continent ticket.

1. I am incapable of figuring out where I want to go. So what I was thinking of doing is drawing up a plan where only the first continent is "written in stone". Then, when I am on way to next continent, I will change all the plans for the next continents. When done with the second continent , I'll change all the plans for the remaining continents, and so on. This way, I am changing plans 3 times and paying $75(?), each time, which I don't mind doing in order to gain the flexibility of being able to change plans, and not have to make those plans now, in which case I'll never get out of NY. Is this doable? Will I be charged for each flight I change, or only for changing plans (no matter how many flights as long as done at one time)

2. I see that cross atlantic and cross pacific flights don't count against the # of in-continent flights you're allowed (although they do count against total flights). My question is, what about intercontinental flights that don't cross atlantic or pacific? Ex. We are thinking of going from Africa to Asia. Does that count against Aftrica or Asia in continent flights. Or neither?

3. When they say "stopovers" are allowed, I am not 100% clear on that. If I want to see a lot of places does that mean I should look for flights with 1 or 2 stops versus non-stops to where I am going, and then get off the plane so I can see other places. Is that how the game is played? Avoid non-stops so you can use stops to see places?

Thanks for help.

Most of us don't have a clear idea where we're going either. Except that it will require changing planes in Dallas.

1. You don't have to write more than the first international flight in stone. You will pay a re-issue fee each and every time you change the itinerary. Date and flight changes are not charged, just places or the order of places. The base fee is now US$125, plus various annoyance charges levied by the airlines - BA especially seems to want some additional baksheesh, also QF (processing fees, handling fees, Thursday/Saturday fees, blonde CSR fees...) Note too that additional taxes and fuel charges for new or changed segments may well be added, so in all it's not all that cheap. But it can be done.

2. Intercontinental trips aren't counted against the continent limits, but must fit within the 20. Africa to Asia is neither an African nor an Asian segment, but it is 1/20th or more of your ticket.

3. A stopover is when you're in a place for more than 23h59m. Stopovers are mainly an issue in the continent of origin, where you're allowed only two. When you get off a plane and get on another one it requires a second flight coupon. If a plane you're on stops enroute to your destination, but doesn't change its flight number, and if you continue on it to your destination, neither a stopover nor a second ticket are counted. Get off and get on the same flight the next day, stopover and second ticket needed.

Most people prefer to get where they're going as quickly as possible. However, there are some unfortunates who are afflicted with mileage addiction, who will sometimes take indirect routes to get from A to B because they crave miles or points in their FF accounts, or else because they really dig sleeping in a chair. The fools.

Oh, welcome to FT!