DONE3 Booking at the last minute
May 10, 2009 | 5:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4
DONE3 Booking at the last minute
So .... I've been trying to get a grasp on the best way to book a DONE3 ticket given the following circumstances:
1) I live in texas
2) I need to be in instanbul turkey for work by sometime Tuesday or Wednesday.
3) I have a friend I would like to meet in manila the next week and then return after a week to texas
4) I am confused
Basically I want to travel, DFW > LHR > IST > MNL > DFW ( I realize there are some necessary segments between these like HKG etc)
I flew a RTW ticket back in 2002 that was issued through AA at the RTW desk.
The problem is that I don't meet the advance purchase requirement for TS1.
To solve this little dilemma, I figured I could buy a oneway ticket to LHR from DFW. Then, get a DONE3 RTW ticket issued in london and travel on that via the above route back to DFW. Then, when I need to go back to turkey for travel (prob in July), just use the remaining portion of the ticket and purchase a new RTW ticket in london to continue on.
My problem is that I am at a lost of who exactly to talk to about having a RTW ticket issued outside of AA. I assume the AA RTW desk (which is AWESOME) will be unable to do so. Do I just call BA and ask for the equivalent (which I also assume includes tea and crumpets in the name)?
Am I already past the necessary time to get a ticket issued even outside of TS1?
Any help would be appreciated esp. given the short amount of time I have to make this work ... if possible. I am trying to avoid the age old adage of when you assume you make an ... out of you and me. (from my seventh grade teacher ... she loved me)
1) I live in texas
2) I need to be in instanbul turkey for work by sometime Tuesday or Wednesday.
3) I have a friend I would like to meet in manila the next week and then return after a week to texas
4) I am confused
Basically I want to travel, DFW > LHR > IST > MNL > DFW ( I realize there are some necessary segments between these like HKG etc)
I flew a RTW ticket back in 2002 that was issued through AA at the RTW desk.
The problem is that I don't meet the advance purchase requirement for TS1.
To solve this little dilemma, I figured I could buy a oneway ticket to LHR from DFW. Then, get a DONE3 RTW ticket issued in london and travel on that via the above route back to DFW. Then, when I need to go back to turkey for travel (prob in July), just use the remaining portion of the ticket and purchase a new RTW ticket in london to continue on.
My problem is that I am at a lost of who exactly to talk to about having a RTW ticket issued outside of AA. I assume the AA RTW desk (which is AWESOME) will be unable to do so. Do I just call BA and ask for the equivalent (which I also assume includes tea and crumpets in the name)?
Am I already past the necessary time to get a ticket issued even outside of TS1? Any help would be appreciated esp. given the short amount of time I have to make this work ... if possible. I am trying to avoid the age old adage of when you assume you make an ... out of you and me. (from my seventh grade teacher ... she loved me)
Last edited by jwfl; May 10, 2009 at 6:36 pm Reason: I screwed up an IATA name
May 10, 2009 | 7:39 pm
#5
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 12,525
I would definitely try using the on-line booking tool at www.oneworld.com. If BA is the issuing airline (owing to the first segment being on BA ex-GB) I believe there may be some problem with the online tool accepting your US credit card, but have no personal experience one way or another on this.
Just a couple of notes, however. First, remember that you can't transit your country of origin at any point after leaving it. This is important with LHR because it's such an important European hub within OW. If on the way back around you wanted to go to IST or some other European destination before finishing in the UK, you'd need to avoid LHR as you can't leave the country of issue once you've returned.
Second point (and no idea if this makes any sense in terms of your work commitments) but as of now given USD exchange rates, DONE3s are about US$800 cheaper if purchased in Poland than in Britain, and around $500-$600 cheaper if purchased in Sweden. May or may not matter, but just a note. At both WAW and ARN you can use the excellent offices of AA's GSA, Tal Aviation, who are familiar with the products.
Still, I'd try to use the online booking tool in the first instance, as you can do that 24/7.
Just a couple of notes, however. First, remember that you can't transit your country of origin at any point after leaving it. This is important with LHR because it's such an important European hub within OW. If on the way back around you wanted to go to IST or some other European destination before finishing in the UK, you'd need to avoid LHR as you can't leave the country of issue once you've returned.
Second point (and no idea if this makes any sense in terms of your work commitments) but as of now given USD exchange rates, DONE3s are about US$800 cheaper if purchased in Poland than in Britain, and around $500-$600 cheaper if purchased in Sweden. May or may not matter, but just a note. At both WAW and ARN you can use the excellent offices of AA's GSA, Tal Aviation, who are familiar with the products.
Still, I'd try to use the online booking tool in the first instance, as you can do that 24/7.
May 11, 2009 | 1:48 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 694
The online booking tool will not help in this instance. There is an advance booking requirement of 8 days for it, see here:
http://www.oneworld.com/ow/air-trave...inerary-online
Probably the best bet is to call BA now (morning UK time) and see if they can help. Their UK numbers are here:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...out_Country=GB
http://www.oneworld.com/ow/air-trave...inerary-online
Probably the best bet is to call BA now (morning UK time) and see if they can help. Their UK numbers are here:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...out_Country=GB
May 12, 2009 | 3:04 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4
*quick update*
So, I booked my ticket through BA at 3 am last night ... ( I ended up delaying my trip a day). The around the world desk was closed again (dont ask why I didn't call during the day) so a nice woman named zoe in London helped me.
I called the RTW desk today only to find out that she had booked me on all JL and BA flights in North America with a note that there is limited control and changes allowed. Thanks BA. Anyways, may be good to tell people in the FAQ that you have to fly american over the water to use the RTW desk (at least according to lisa). Any suggestions on any possible way to get the RTW desk back in the loop ... fire away.
Anyways ... below is my current flight path. My problem is between istanbul and manila. I can't go through london so it makes it hard to get to HKG. Any ideas would be appreciated. I thought about getting a cheap flight from HKG to MNY and use a surface segment so that I don't have to stay the night in HKG.
Also, she didn't ask me anything about seat assignments etc. The online BA tool wont let me change anything or display seat assignments. Any ideas?
One last thing ... can I add segments in the US & Caribbean free of charge even after this ticket is booked?
In boston now about to go to LHR ... hopefully I'll make my connection ... its a little tight. Thanks for all the replies.
Looks like I'll be doing another RTW trip for business later this june so I guess this is a learning experience.
My itent:
Flight: 1
Heathrow (London) Terminal 5 - Istanbul Terminal I, Wed 13 May 2009, 07:05
Flight: BA0678
Status: Confirmed
From: Heathrow (London) Terminal 5
To: Istanbul Terminal I
Depart: Wed 13 May 2009, 07:05
Arrive: Wed 13 May 2009, 12:50
Duration: 3hrs 45mins
Class: Club Europe
Operated by: British Airways
Seats:
Flight: 2
Istanbul - Budapest, Open
Flight: BA0000
Status: Open
From: Istanbul
To: Budapest
Depart: Open
Arrive: Open
Duration: hrs mins
Class: Club Europe
Operated by: British Airways
Seats:
Flight: 3
Budapest Terminal 2A - Helsinki Terminal 2, Wed 20 May 2009, 12:30
Flight: AY5642
Status: Confirmed
From: Budapest Terminal 2A
To: Helsinki Terminal 2
Depart: Wed 20 May 2009, 12:30
Arrive: Wed 20 May 2009, 15:55
Duration: 2hrs 25mins
Class:
Operated by: Malev Hungarian Airlines
Seats:
Flight: 4
Helsinki Terminal 2 - Hong Kong Terminal 1, Wed 20 May 2009, 16:40
Flight: AY0067
Status: Confirmed
From: Helsinki Terminal 2
To: Hong Kong Terminal 1
Depart: Wed 20 May 2009, 16:40
Arrive: Thu 21 May 2009, 07:25
Duration: 9hrs 45mins
Class:
Operated by: Finnair
Seats:
Flight: 5
Hong Kong Terminal 1 - Manila, Thu 21 May 2009, 09:10
Flight: CX0901
Status: Confirmed
From: Hong Kong Terminal 1
To: Manila
Depart: Thu 21 May 2009, 09:10
Arrive: Thu 21 May 2009, 11:15
Duration: 2hrs 5mins
Class:
Operated by: Cathay Pacific
Seats:
Flight: 6
Manila Terminal I1 - Narita (Tokyo), Mon 25 May 2009, 09:00
Flight: JL0746
Status: Confirmed
From: Manila Terminal I1
To: Narita (Tokyo)
Depart: Mon 25 May 2009, 09:00
Arrive: Mon 25 May 2009, 14:25
Duration: 4hrs 25mins
Class:
Operated by: Jalways
Seats:
Flight: 7
Narita (Tokyo) Terminal 2 - Los Angeles, Mon 25 May 2009, 17:20
Flight: JL0062
Status: Confirmed
From: Narita (Tokyo) Terminal 2
To: Los Angeles
Depart: Mon 25 May 2009, 17:20
Arrive: Mon 25 May 2009, 11:20
Duration: 10hrs 0mins
Class:
Operated by: Japan A L
Seats:
Flight: 8
Los Angeles Terminal 4 - Dallas Fort Worth (Dallas), Mon 25 May 2009, 13:35
Flight: JL5812
Status: Confirmed
From: Los Angeles Terminal 4
To: Dallas Fort Worth (Dallas)
Depart: Mon 25 May 2009, 13:35
Arrive: Mon 25 May 2009, 18:35
Duration: 3hrs 0mins
Class:
Operated by: American Airlines
Seats:
Flight: 9
Dallas Fort Worth (Dallas) Terminal D - Heathrow (London) Terminal 5, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 17:35
Flight: BA0192
Status: Confirmed
From: Dallas Fort Worth (Dallas) Terminal D
To: Heathrow (London) Terminal 5
Depart: Mon 15 Jun 2009, 17:35
Arrive: Tue 16 Jun 2009, 08:40
Duration: 9hrs 5mins
Class: Club World
Operated by: British Airways
Seats:
I called the RTW desk today only to find out that she had booked me on all JL and BA flights in North America with a note that there is limited control and changes allowed. Thanks BA. Anyways, may be good to tell people in the FAQ that you have to fly american over the water to use the RTW desk (at least according to lisa). Any suggestions on any possible way to get the RTW desk back in the loop ... fire away.
Anyways ... below is my current flight path. My problem is between istanbul and manila. I can't go through london so it makes it hard to get to HKG. Any ideas would be appreciated. I thought about getting a cheap flight from HKG to MNY and use a surface segment so that I don't have to stay the night in HKG.
Also, she didn't ask me anything about seat assignments etc. The online BA tool wont let me change anything or display seat assignments. Any ideas?
One last thing ... can I add segments in the US & Caribbean free of charge even after this ticket is booked?
In boston now about to go to LHR ... hopefully I'll make my connection ... its a little tight. Thanks for all the replies.
Looks like I'll be doing another RTW trip for business later this june so I guess this is a learning experience.
My itent:
Flight: 1
Heathrow (London) Terminal 5 - Istanbul Terminal I, Wed 13 May 2009, 07:05
Flight: BA0678
Status: Confirmed
From: Heathrow (London) Terminal 5
To: Istanbul Terminal I
Depart: Wed 13 May 2009, 07:05
Arrive: Wed 13 May 2009, 12:50
Duration: 3hrs 45mins
Class: Club Europe
Operated by: British Airways
Seats:
Flight: 2
Istanbul - Budapest, Open
Flight: BA0000
Status: Open
From: Istanbul
To: Budapest
Depart: Open
Arrive: Open
Duration: hrs mins
Class: Club Europe
Operated by: British Airways
Seats:
Flight: 3
Budapest Terminal 2A - Helsinki Terminal 2, Wed 20 May 2009, 12:30
Flight: AY5642
Status: Confirmed
From: Budapest Terminal 2A
To: Helsinki Terminal 2
Depart: Wed 20 May 2009, 12:30
Arrive: Wed 20 May 2009, 15:55
Duration: 2hrs 25mins
Class:
Operated by: Malev Hungarian Airlines
Seats:
Flight: 4
Helsinki Terminal 2 - Hong Kong Terminal 1, Wed 20 May 2009, 16:40
Flight: AY0067
Status: Confirmed
From: Helsinki Terminal 2
To: Hong Kong Terminal 1
Depart: Wed 20 May 2009, 16:40
Arrive: Thu 21 May 2009, 07:25
Duration: 9hrs 45mins
Class:
Operated by: Finnair
Seats:
Flight: 5
Hong Kong Terminal 1 - Manila, Thu 21 May 2009, 09:10
Flight: CX0901
Status: Confirmed
From: Hong Kong Terminal 1
To: Manila
Depart: Thu 21 May 2009, 09:10
Arrive: Thu 21 May 2009, 11:15
Duration: 2hrs 5mins
Class:
Operated by: Cathay Pacific
Seats:
Flight: 6
Manila Terminal I1 - Narita (Tokyo), Mon 25 May 2009, 09:00
Flight: JL0746
Status: Confirmed
From: Manila Terminal I1
To: Narita (Tokyo)
Depart: Mon 25 May 2009, 09:00
Arrive: Mon 25 May 2009, 14:25
Duration: 4hrs 25mins
Class:
Operated by: Jalways
Seats:
Flight: 7
Narita (Tokyo) Terminal 2 - Los Angeles, Mon 25 May 2009, 17:20
Flight: JL0062
Status: Confirmed
From: Narita (Tokyo) Terminal 2
To: Los Angeles
Depart: Mon 25 May 2009, 17:20
Arrive: Mon 25 May 2009, 11:20
Duration: 10hrs 0mins
Class:
Operated by: Japan A L
Seats:
Flight: 8
Los Angeles Terminal 4 - Dallas Fort Worth (Dallas), Mon 25 May 2009, 13:35
Flight: JL5812
Status: Confirmed
From: Los Angeles Terminal 4
To: Dallas Fort Worth (Dallas)
Depart: Mon 25 May 2009, 13:35
Arrive: Mon 25 May 2009, 18:35
Duration: 3hrs 0mins
Class:
Operated by: American Airlines
Seats:
Flight: 9
Dallas Fort Worth (Dallas) Terminal D - Heathrow (London) Terminal 5, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 17:35
Flight: BA0192
Status: Confirmed
From: Dallas Fort Worth (Dallas) Terminal D
To: Heathrow (London) Terminal 5
Depart: Mon 15 Jun 2009, 17:35
Arrive: Tue 16 Jun 2009, 08:40
Duration: 9hrs 5mins
Class: Club World
Operated by: British Airways
Seats:
May 12, 2009 | 4:14 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD BXG
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,664
"My problem is between istanbul and manila. I can't go through london so it makes it hard to get to HKG. Any ideas would be appreciated. I thought about getting a cheap flight from HKG to MNY and use a surface segment so that I don't have to stay the night in HKG."
Royal Jordanian (RJ) is a OW member and does IST-AMM-BKK-HKG. You can include this in your xONEx ticket. Oh, and CX will get you HKG-MNL - again in your xONEx ticket.
Royal Jordanian (RJ) is a OW member and does IST-AMM-BKK-HKG. You can include this in your xONEx ticket. Oh, and CX will get you HKG-MNL - again in your xONEx ticket.
May 12, 2009 | 4:24 pm
#9
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 12,525
Yes, you can add segments; you can also have AA reissue the ticket if you want to use AA over the Pacific or Atlantic in lieu of JL or BA. Of course you will pay additional taxes/fees for the new segments.
Out of curiosity, how much did you pay in BA fuel surcharges (YQ on the tariff listings)? That's one of the big disincentives to using BA for RTW issuance; sounds like you had little choice in the matter however.
As for IST-MNL, you might consider IST RJ AMM RJ HKG CX MNL. I think there's a several-hour layover at Amman, but it might be quicker overall than trying to get to from IST to Helsinki.
Welcome to the world of BA RTW "desks." Oy.
Out of curiosity, how much did you pay in BA fuel surcharges (YQ on the tariff listings)? That's one of the big disincentives to using BA for RTW issuance; sounds like you had little choice in the matter however.
As for IST-MNL, you might consider IST RJ AMM RJ HKG CX MNL. I think there's a several-hour layover at Amman, but it might be quicker overall than trying to get to from IST to Helsinki.
Welcome to the world of BA RTW "desks." Oy.