Help with DONE4 xNRT
 

This new surface segment rule has thrown a wrench into my planning. I'd appreciate any feedback on how to make this route work. I'm 2 over in Asia (which I guess I could purchase) but would prefer not to. I'd also be open to ideas of how expand or revise it to cover more of SWP and/or get more miles. As is, it comes in at about 48,000.

nrt-pek,pvg-xhkg-del-xhkg-bkk, sin-syd-akl-scl-lim-gru-eze-lhr-cai-lhr-nbo, jnb-xhkg-nrt

Not only do you have way too many Asia segments but you can't buy additional segments in the continent of origin. Seems like you need to decide what trips to pay for outside the RTW.

As far as the SWP goes, does it matter where you go? Any interests or places in particular?

...and on top of that you have way too many stopovers in your continent of origin (max 2).

Thanks for the prompt feedback.

I suppose paying for the PEK and PVG portions may make some sense. Spring Air might offer a way to do those on a LCC or we could do actual surface travel from HKG.

Could we then try:

nrt-hkg-bom-bkk, sin-per-syd-akl-ppt-ipc-scl-lim-gru-eze-lhr-cai-lhr-nbo, jnb-xhkg-nrt?

I'm a bit baffled as to how to fit in ipc when heading east so i am not sure this works.

It doesn't; the AKL-PPT segment is on Air Tahiti (QF codeshare) thus not eligible on a OWE. To include IPC you must go SCL-IPC-SCL, thus reducing your segments in S. America accordingly.

How do you get from AKL to PPT? As far as i know there is no OW flight, only a QF codeshare on Tahiti Nui - which you cannot use.

Also the LIM-GRU flight is LP - the last time i checked LP was not a member of OW and such not possible on a DONE. Somebody knows?

Still too many stopovers in Asia (hkg, bom, bkk) - you are only allowed two (2).

I used mileage monkey to check lim-gru out. It didn't pop with an error.

Assuming the LIM-GRU is invalid because it is LP.

Then it would look like:

nrt-hkg-bom-bkk, sin-per-syd-akl-scl-lim-scl-gru-eze-lhr-cai-lhr-nbo, jnb-xhkg-nrt

This has one extra segment left in it that could be used either in SWP or Europe. Any suggestions to either tweak this maximize mileage or see somewhere interesting? We're on a year long RTW trip/honeymoon so we are n't pressed for time or stuck with any particular agenda.

FFS For about the third time in this thread. TWO STOPOVERS ONLY IN ASIA.

It's late here, but by my tired eyes you won't be able to go

nrt-hkg-bom-bkk,sin....xhkg-nrt

As that will make 3 flights + 1 transit + one surface. Therefore at the very least, either HKG or BOM would have to be the second transit.

Darwin either from SIN or from Perth may make an interesting 20th segment.

Lan Peru is fine and will be valid. Its Lan Ecuador and Lan Argentina that weren't / aren't members. I cant remebmer whether they have, or haven't joined as associate members but either way they are / were due to.

Flights operated by all of LAN Peru, LAN Express, LAN Ecuador and LAN Argentina are valid on OneWorld Explorers. According to the latest CX version of the Fare Rules the LP code is not listed though. But on ExpertFlyer it is, so I reckon it's OK even without an LA codeshare.

Sorry for the confusion on the 2 stopover rule in continent of origin. We lived under power lines when I was a kid.

I think this works but has one stop still left after incorporating drw and revising based on LP being acceptable.

nrt-hgk-bkk, sin-per-drw-syd-akl-scl-lim-gru-eze-lhr-cai-lhr-nbo, jnb-xhkg-del-nrt

But you can on a Oneworld Global explorer fare...

Is there any way to avoid Europe and North America if you're doing a DONE4 with a route Africa-South America-Australia-Asia-Africa? I couldn't find any flights from South America to Africa...

I hope to visit South Africa, Namibia, Peru, Chile, Ushuaia (Argentina), Easter Islands, New Zealand, Melbourne, Darwin, Bali, Singapore and Bangkok on a DONE4, but can't see to figure out a way to do it. Ticket would be quite cheap in MRU, so that could be an ideal starting place, but other suggestions are welcome. I'd like to fly westwards and am based in Europe, so including Europe could be an option after all...

No, it does not work, because you still have too many (3, possibly 4) stopovers (hkg, bkk//sin, del) in your continent of origin, where the maximum is two (2).

There aren't any. Also, Europe is not an option, it must be paid for in any and all OWEs.

No problem in that respect:

You still don't get it! This still has three stopovers in Asia. (HKG, BKK, DEL). It doesn't matter whether the stopovers are before you leave the continent of origin or after you return - you can only have two!

Actually I think it's three. BKK//SIN counts as one I believe. But in any case, it's too many.

Yes, I know, you could be, and I hope you are, right, but I counted four for a reason: this issue came up a long time before the current surface segment restriction, and that time AA (IIRC) counted as stops both ends of the open jaw. So, I suspect that if this was already a problem it will now become an even bigger one. IMO it is hard to argue that BKK//SIN, or any other open jaw, is not two stopovers, but here's hoping.

You have the following choices;

1. Make the first HKG a transit.

2. Fly direct NRT-BKK - which will free up one other segment that can be used elsewhere (but no more stopovers in Asia)

3. Fly direct NRT-SIN - which will free up 2 segments (but no more stopovers in Asia).

Other points;

1. I don't know which class this is being flown in but economy or business fares are often very cheap between HKG , BKK and SIN - and are often not worth wasting a RTW segment on. Check out prices on Kayak.com, zuji or similar.

2. DEL-NRT good segment! JL has brought in some really good new routes to the OW ticket.

3. I also think BKK//SIN counts as one. I had problems with Cathay in CMB refusing to issue the ticket last year with
CMB-BKK // NRT-LHR on it for that reason, but all (real and potential) re-issues since have included those segments with no problem. As always with OW RTW - if someone is mis-interpreting the rules you are stuffed for that day at least! Having said that the new rules make this a bit of a waste anyway.

Thanks for the help with the 2 stopover piece. I must have (repeatedly) misread that portion of the rules.

Given that, I think we are going to try:

nrt-pek, sin-per-drw-syd-akl-scl-ipc-xscl-lim-gru, eze-lhr-cai-lhr-nbo, jnb-xhkg-del-nrt

This uses all 20 and comes in at about 51800 miles.

That looks fine, just a few points;

1. NRT - PEK, SIN - PER

You are probably aware and have chosen otherwise, but it is possible to go PEK -x HKG and then xHKG to PERTH (PEK-xHKG-PER) without wasting a segment.

2. Perth - Darwin

Goes daily, but not sure if they have business class on either or both planes. Worth check with Qantas, if that matters.

3. I don't think there is any need to restrict Santiago to a transit before going to Lima. If you ticket, best to have it as stopover, for the price of a bit of tax, it is better than having to (potentially) re-issue or have agro at airport, if plans change slightly.

4. Again, unless you have decided otherwise for personal reasons, I believe it is possible to fly GRU to EZE as a paid fifth segment - although having said that the local market price is likely to be cheaper than putting it on there.

Business class is available on the nonstop PER-DRW service as it is operated by 737-400/800 equipment. Conversely, the one-stop PER-DRW service via Alice Springs does not offer J as it is operated by an all-Y configured 717-200.

Rgds