Two DONE3s and other misc *ONE* advice
Sep 20, 2006 | 7:07 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Programs: QF QP NB, PC Plat. Amb, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,879
If you weren't particuarly interested in heading back to Africa for the last leg, you could also ensure that your transit through London was such that it was possible to "accidently" miss the last leg (being ticketed to fly into Gatwick and then out of Heathrow works well, as there's no risk of your bags being checked through). Of course there's the risk that they'll then charge you extra for not taking the flight, but it's not something I've heard of happening to anyone in the past when they've taken this course of action.
Sep 28, 2006 | 8:57 am
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 10
Ok gurus! Finalised the plan.. see if you think this makes sense: Am first going to fly one way economy (although looks like it's the same price as return on the website) with BA to Mauritius towards end of October. Stay a couple of days, then start an AONE5.
MRU -> LHR -> AMM (Jordan) ->land-> CAI -> LHR -> EZE (Buenos Aires) -> LIM
Then I'm leaving the following sectors open dated:
Lima -> Rio -> Santiago -> Easter Island -> Papeete -> Auckland [not with OW sadly] -> Melbourne -> Sydney -> Tokyo -> Hong Kong -> Karachi -> Bangkok -> Hong Kong -> Johannesburg -> Cape Town -> Finish!!
I can't wait to start now, have completely bored all of my colleagues sitting around me talking about it. I am also considering getting a LAN Explorer pass as I'm going to need more flights in South America - am hoping to pop about between treks without wasting too much time - do you think this is better than just paying for flights as and when you need them? I'm guessing in Asia this will be easier to do with low-cost carriers like Air Asia (shortest miniskirts I've ever seen air-hostesses wear, heh).
One other question - would the BA Travel Shop in Mauritius be able to ticket my flight from UK to Mauritius? I checked online and it's substantially cheaper if you "claim" to be in Mauritius.
Thanks for all your help everyone..
MRU -> LHR -> AMM (Jordan) ->land-> CAI -> LHR -> EZE (Buenos Aires) -> LIM
Then I'm leaving the following sectors open dated:
Lima -> Rio -> Santiago -> Easter Island -> Papeete -> Auckland [not with OW sadly] -> Melbourne -> Sydney -> Tokyo -> Hong Kong -> Karachi -> Bangkok -> Hong Kong -> Johannesburg -> Cape Town -> Finish!!
I can't wait to start now, have completely bored all of my colleagues sitting around me talking about it. I am also considering getting a LAN Explorer pass as I'm going to need more flights in South America - am hoping to pop about between treks without wasting too much time - do you think this is better than just paying for flights as and when you need them? I'm guessing in Asia this will be easier to do with low-cost carriers like Air Asia (shortest miniskirts I've ever seen air-hostesses wear, heh).
One other question - would the BA Travel Shop in Mauritius be able to ticket my flight from UK to Mauritius? I checked online and it's substantially cheaper if you "claim" to be in Mauritius.
Thanks for all your help everyone..
Sep 28, 2006 | 9:44 am
#18
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,593
You do realize that your routing cleverly avoids all the routes that offer the higher-quality F service and you only have 2 real F sectors (LHR-EZE and HKG-JNB). DONE5 would be almost the same travel experience as AONE5 as most of your flights either don't have F or have a stripped down F (CAI-LHR, SYD-NRT).
The lower country prices are typically only for travel originating there, and not for SOTO or SOTI. I doubt that you can use that cheaper MRU fare for travel LHR-MRU (but I haven't checked the fare).
The lower country prices are typically only for travel originating there, and not for SOTO or SOTI. I doubt that you can use that cheaper MRU fare for travel LHR-MRU (but I haven't checked the fare).
Sep 28, 2006 | 4:29 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 10
You are right, Number_6, but to be honest the route was more structured around where I would like to go in the world rather than maximising time in F. Don't get me wrong, I'm really looking forward to the experience, but I guess to do the best F I'd basically have to be long-hauling it between carrier hub sites, and places like DFW aren't really my current focus 
Plus if the prices in WearyBizTrvlr's spreadsheet are ballpark correct, there's hardly much point in shaving less than 500 off the fare to drop to J. Presumably taxes and surcharges are the same for either class too.
Here's hoping I have a nice snooze on LHR to EZE in proper F
And who knows, maybe one day BA will have upgraded their IFE so that I will have something better than a couple of battered old video cassettes to enjoy en route with my afternoon tea 
Plus if the prices in WearyBizTrvlr's spreadsheet are ballpark correct, there's hardly much point in shaving less than 500 off the fare to drop to J. Presumably taxes and surcharges are the same for either class too.
Here's hoping I have a nice snooze on LHR to EZE in proper F
And who knows, maybe one day BA will have upgraded their IFE so that I will have something better than a couple of battered old video cassettes to enjoy en route with my afternoon tea
Sep 29, 2006 | 12:41 am
#21
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: YVR occasionally
Programs: OW Emerald (AA-EXP, BA-Gold)
Posts: 261
If you are planning to do a AONE or DONE starting in Mauritius, don't get your hopes up until you can pin down the first segment. I, and at least 3 other FTers, have had problems booking the MRU-LHR. More than a month ago, I wanted to start via MRU in late October but could not book a single date and had to rearrange (several times) my travel plans. So you'll be lucky if you can start in late October, or early November, or... As a guide, check on Expert Flyer for A inventory on the dates you are considering but don't count on it-- BA-MRU doesn't seem to find availability even if it is showing on EF. While they are prompt in answering e-mails, it seems to take at least a week or more to see if a waitlist clears.
Sep 29, 2006 | 10:03 am
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 10
Thanks Reelchief. Expertflyer implies that there is no availability in any class on that day now, although I notice I now have a Mauritian trip in ManageMyBooking on the BA site.. I did tell TravelShop that I am very flexible with dates so hopefully something will come up.
Sep 30, 2006 | 6:02 am
#23
Join Date: May 2006
Location: London
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold, GGL, SPG Gold , HHonors Diamond ,Marriott Gold Elite, Miles & More Senator
Posts: 587
RTW ex MRU
Hi Reelchief
Your RTW ex MRU sounds interesting. Would you be willing to share itinerary. I too like to travel in true F. Cannot beleive the availability displays sometime. Once spoke to BA LON re SYD-AKL sector in A on LA where A9 was showing. Despite this when I try to book two seats it put me automatically on the waitlist. Why show 9 when only 5 seats in the cabin anyway.
Regards
Colin
Your RTW ex MRU sounds interesting. Would you be willing to share itinerary. I too like to travel in true F. Cannot beleive the availability displays sometime. Once spoke to BA LON re SYD-AKL sector in A on LA where A9 was showing. Despite this when I try to book two seats it put me automatically on the waitlist. Why show 9 when only 5 seats in the cabin anyway.
Regards
Colin
Originally Posted by ReelChief
As someone else who is new to both the RTW game and flying First, here are several other things to keep in mind.
If you are thinking of buying an AONE ticket, then check to see if real first class is offered where you are planning to go. For example, with a few exceptions, it will not be useful in South America or Australia/New Zealand. In North America, while you can get First class credit for US domestic flights, they will generally be on 2 cabin planes. However, if your itinerary can be worked out to take advantage of flying real First class, then the Mauritius fare is terrific. I am in the final stages of booking AONE5 tickets for myself and my wife and 13 of our 19 segment are in First on 3 cabin planes. The whole itinerary has a total mileage of over 70,000and most of the choices are places we want to go.
Re, arranging the ticket in Mauritius. I have mentioned elsewhere about some difficulties of booking there (e.g. them inventing constraints that dont exist) but the main problem has been having them confirm flights in which there seems to be adequate A inventory but they cant confirm the flight. Paradoxically it seems to occur mostly on BA flights, usually (but not exclusively) on BA 122 to LHR- your only way out of MRU at this time!!. After several abortive efforts in setting up an itinerary, I suggest the following strategy: check Expert Flyer or some other source and select several dates for BA122 that show adequate A inventory. Give them those dates and ask which ones they can book. Based on my experience (and that of at least two other FTers), you will find that they cannot book most of those dates. If they can reserve one, grab it and build your itinerary around it.
Despite frustrations about the booking process, the BA-MRU office is extremely good about responding to e-mails within a day. Sam, I have PMed you with an e-mail contact.
If you are thinking of buying an AONE ticket, then check to see if real first class is offered where you are planning to go. For example, with a few exceptions, it will not be useful in South America or Australia/New Zealand. In North America, while you can get First class credit for US domestic flights, they will generally be on 2 cabin planes. However, if your itinerary can be worked out to take advantage of flying real First class, then the Mauritius fare is terrific. I am in the final stages of booking AONE5 tickets for myself and my wife and 13 of our 19 segment are in First on 3 cabin planes. The whole itinerary has a total mileage of over 70,000and most of the choices are places we want to go.
Re, arranging the ticket in Mauritius. I have mentioned elsewhere about some difficulties of booking there (e.g. them inventing constraints that dont exist) but the main problem has been having them confirm flights in which there seems to be adequate A inventory but they cant confirm the flight. Paradoxically it seems to occur mostly on BA flights, usually (but not exclusively) on BA 122 to LHR- your only way out of MRU at this time!!. After several abortive efforts in setting up an itinerary, I suggest the following strategy: check Expert Flyer or some other source and select several dates for BA122 that show adequate A inventory. Give them those dates and ask which ones they can book. Based on my experience (and that of at least two other FTers), you will find that they cannot book most of those dates. If they can reserve one, grab it and build your itinerary around it.
Despite frustrations about the booking process, the BA-MRU office is extremely good about responding to e-mails within a day. Sam, I have PMed you with an e-mail contact.
Sep 30, 2006 | 9:29 am
#24
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,641
Issues with that LA service not being "visible" for booking apparently are different from BA's apparent regional-sales-restrictions for A seats. l tried to book AKL-SYD using Cathay res, and was waitlisted. Eventually I telephoned LAN res and the agent couldn't even pull up the flight on her screen. When I insisted that they actually flew an airplane through that airspace on a regular basis, and sold seats to people called "passengers", she eventually relented and asked a supervisor. But it took a full 30 minutes on the phone for her to find the flight and give us the A seats. No problem issuing the seats, once she knew how. So no wonder Cathay and BA computers can't do it.
(I never flew the hard-won segment - the FT people who know these things convinced me that Qantas D service on that segment was just as good, and would allow me to sleep in until a normal hour.)
(I never flew the hard-won segment - the FT people who know these things convinced me that Qantas D service on that segment was just as good, and would allow me to sleep in until a normal hour.)
Sep 30, 2006 | 10:52 am
#25
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Programs: Virgin Australia Velocity Gold
Posts: 1,425
Originally Posted by Viajero
SYD-NRT has F?
Been long operated by Qantas 747-300s in a 2-class configuration (Dreamtime J and Economy). From tomorrow (Oct 2) all SYD-NRT-SYD and MEL-NRT-MEL services will be operated by Qantas' A330-300s featuring Skybed J seats and AVOD.
Regards
Sep 30, 2006 | 2:55 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: YVR occasionally
Programs: OW Emerald (AA-EXP, BA-Gold)
Posts: 261
Originally Posted by col747uk
Hi Reelchief
Your RTW ex MRU sounds interesting. Would you be willing to share itinerary. I too like to travel in true F. Cannot beleive the availability displays sometime. Once spoke to BA LON re SYD-AKL sector in A on LA where A9 was showing. Despite this when I try to book two seats it put me automatically on the waitlist. Why show 9 when only 5 seats in the cabin anyway.
Regards
Colin
Your RTW ex MRU sounds interesting. Would you be willing to share itinerary. I too like to travel in true F. Cannot beleive the availability displays sometime. Once spoke to BA LON re SYD-AKL sector in A on LA where A9 was showing. Despite this when I try to book two seats it put me automatically on the waitlist. Why show 9 when only 5 seats in the cabin anyway.
Regards
Colin
Colin, I'd be happy to list my itinerary but I won't start it until mid-October with the MRU-LHR hard-won flight. Until I actually get the ticket in my hand, I'm reluctant to post an itinerary that may not happen. If you remind me then, I'll gladly list my itinerary. As a precursor to that, I'll note that they do seem to accept flying through LHR on the way to and from MRU-- a matter that has been questioned in the past. Thus one can (apparently) do MRU-LHR-DXB-LHR at the beginning and HKG-LHR-MRU at the end (or vice versa) thus boosting both the real First segments as well as the mileage total.
Oct 1, 2006 | 9:42 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SJU
Posts: 1,542
Originally Posted by ReelChief
Thus one can (apparently) do MRU-LHR-DXB-LHR at the beginning and HKG-LHR-MRU at the end (or vice versa) thus boosting both the real First segments as well as the mileage total.
Has anyone actually had luck ticketing this?
Oct 3, 2006 | 4:15 am
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 10
Hi Reelchief, I seem to have a confirmed First reservation from MRU back to LHR towards the end of October. Hasn't been priced yet, so I'm also feeling a bit vulnerable! Gimme my ticket!! Plus the tickets to get out there are horrendously busy, so I'm probably gonna take Emirates to get out there.