Is this oneworld Explorer itinerary valid please?
 

Hello all -
Am hoping you wouldn't mind checking for validity the following oneworld Explorer itinerary - thanks!

BNE-DRW (stop)-SYD(stop)-JFK(stop)-DFW-ANC(stop)-DFW-LAX-SCL-GIG(stop)-SCL-CCS(stop)-SCL-LAX-LHR-DXB(stop)-LHR(stop)-FCO(stop)-HEL-HKG-SYD

I don't think there's anything wrong with this, but would appreciate anyone letting me know if I'm wrong - thanks!

It looks fine to me. Obviosuly the SCL-LAX-LHR must be a connection without stopover. You could stopover in HKG too, if you wanted to.

With a cursory look, I questioned whether your second LAX transit is permitted as I didn't think you could visit another continent again once you have left except on direct S Pacific Services. But in checking the rules, they clearly state:

Only one intercontinental departure and one intercontinental arrival permitted in each continent.
Exceptions: Two permitted in North America. when one is a transfer without stopover.
Two permitted in Asia when one is a transfer without stopover or on direct single plane service between the Southwest Pacific And Europe.

For a bit of variation, you might look at taking LAN or IB to MAD, and then up to LON. Of course you would then need to buy one extra sector within Europe, which would be permitted.

A further thought for flight timings, too, would be JFK-ORD-ANC (stop) - DFW-LAX, etc. Are you interested in accruing max mileage on this trip? Since you'll be on a 5-continent itinerary, you have additional segments you can take within Asia. You might want to nip from HKG up to TYO and then down to SYD with JL, for example. Otherwise, it looks okay to me.

Out of curiosity, what class are you flying and what fare can you get in Australia?

I also have a question in regards to the DONE3 itineary I have. Two segments of it will be done on EI, but they will not be a part of OW as of 1st of April. Will I still get the EQMs for AAdvantage, eventhough they won't be a part of OW? Also, CX CMB seem to think this is a DONE4 ticket. I think it's DONE3.


CX CMB-BKK (stop in BKK). CX BKK-LAX (stop in LAX) EI LAX-DUB (stop in DUB). EI DUB-DXB (stop in DXB). CX DXB-HKG (stop in HKG). CX HKG-CMB.

The ORD-ANC flights on AA metal don't seem to have appeared in the schedule this year. And The itinerary hits the 20-segment limit so no more are possible.

No EQM after April 1 on Aadvantage for EI, this has been documented on the AA website for several months now. It does look like a DONE3 but maybe they think BKK-LAX is routed BKK-SYD-LAX for some strange reason.

Thanks very much the responses everyone - much appreciated!! The second LAX would be a transit only.

However, I tried to book this today and hit a snag. Two travel agents in Sydney said that I am not allowed to do the Australia domestic flights. Apparently, they are only permitted if connecting to an intercontinental flight. EG you could do DRW-SYD-SFO etc...., but not what I first proposed. This does not seem to be reflected on the online rules. Interesting! Any thoughts!

They're reading the OW Marketing material rather than the rules which are in their systems. Why are you using a travel agent at all? Why not just go direct to one of the airlines or to their GSA in Sydney? Previous reports here suggest that booking through AA's GSA will get you the best price.

Thanks, Chris - will try to go to the AA GSA then. Will keep you all posted - thanks again!

Are you in Oz or the UK?
I'm planning my first xONEx from Australia, and just starting to look at relative pricings etc. I've had the suggestion to try booking through AA, and would be interested in the their contact details. Is there an Australian contact, or do we have to call the US RTW office?

Assume you are going to ticket very soon as I assume EI will no longer be available on an ONE from 1-Apr

hey matt -
i am ticketing in sydney. the qantas ticket office said what i wanted to do was fine so will hopefully end up getting it ticketed through them monday. there does not seem to be an australian gsa for aa listed on the aa web-site any more. however, on whitepages.com.au, there is an aa office listed in mascot near the airport - far too much hassle i think!

I'm pricing with my travel agent, but think I'll run it past Qantas ticketing for comparison. What routing did you end up choosing? I'm looking at all the combinations at the moment!

As mentioned many times before on FT, you save several hundred dollars by ticketing with AA instead of QF; so is saving AUD 500 worth the "hassle"? Actual saving varies with your routing.