Because of recent advice on this board that DONE04 ex-IST was about $1,000 cheaper than ex-CAI, I did the following 2 weeks ago:

1) Called AA RTW desk, set up 20 segment DONE04 ex-CAI, called back the next day and got the price (₤EG36,780.90 approx = $US6,613).
2) Called BA RTW desk, set up 20 segment DONE04 ex-IST, and specifically request pricing in Turkish lira. I called back the next day. No price. I called back several times. It took exactly 2 weeks (yesterday), and BA said it would be $US8,800! I said I had requested pricing in lira (rate desk request record reflected). After several minutes on hold, I was told I would have to contact BA Turkey directly and arrange with them.

I think BA gave me wrong information. But I have no confidence in them. And I am concerned that if I have to make schedule changes at some point in the future, it could be a nightmare!

I am currently on my 4th RTW ex-CAI, and feel more secure using Emeco as before.

Just my recent experience, for the record.

This might have something to do with resent closing of BA IST town office?

Earlier this month I had no problems arranging another DONE ex-Turkey with BA IST. Why did you request the pricing in Lira as EUR is now the official published currency for ex-Turkey xONEx tickets? DONE4 base price ex-Turkey is currently 4.358 eur - stated by OW and quoted by BA also, of course. Many FT's have positive experiences with BA IST so I wouldn't judge them just based on this. However, future will tell how things develop after the ticketing office is now closed...

Your experience with the N. America BA RTW desk is par for the course. It can be incredibly frustrating to get them to price (accurately) xONEs originating outside N. America. That was the great thing about the BA IST office. You set the itinerary and got the PNR from the BA RTW desk, then sent the PNR to IST and they would send it to the rates desk and send you the price when properly computed, piece of cake.

With the IST CTO closed (and people evidently aren't making contact by email at all) one is at a loss as to who to write/phone to in Turkey to use this approach henceforth.

Maybe if AA is your first trans-oceanic carrier you could get the AA RTW desk to price it and arrange for pickup at the BA desk at IST. You'd need to get an itinerary that uses the AA/BA codeshare no. to LHR to connect to AA, avoiding the TK codeshares direct to JFK or ORD. Don't know if they will.

Sure wish AA would empower Tal Aviation (their IST GSA) to sell tickets on AA stock.

MiamiPrep,

Any luck with the BA RTW desk? I just had a very frustrating call with them this evening... I am going to try again tomorrow morning. Hopefully I will get the woman I spoke to last time and not the man I talked to tonight, who said I could not hold tickets to be bought out of the country and could only hold tickets for 48 hours...

I had no confidence in BA IST, so went ahead and ticked with AA CAI. Smooth as silk process. AA RTW in USA easy to work with. Ticketing pricing takes only a day. Have received handwritten ticket FedEx from Inas of Emeco, who did my ticket last year.

I was pressed for time a bit, and could't depend on BA. I am in the midst of my 4th ex-CAI RTW, and leave 4-19 for BKK (used nested BKK-MIA-BKK ticket to "interupt" my current RTW). Then will finish current DONE04 in CAI in May, and start the new RTW, so had to have ticketing completed.

Are you sure you are not referring to Thai?

Just curious why you're still booking CAI RTWs when it seems like you could book with AA in France and Germany for less. Is it simply because you are ending in CAI which makes it easy to pick up the next one?

Yes, exactly. Current DONE04 ends in CAI. How much would it cost me to fly to France or Germany? Difference for Egypt vs. GER/FRA is < $100. Would love to do Slovenia, which I hear is interesting...