Hi everybody,

I'm looking into doing my first DONE4 and was wondering whether anyone had any advice for my booking.

I am particularly looking for advice about the booking process. I am in AUS, but would like to take advantage of the lower cost of ex-cgk RTWs. I would also like to have the ticket issued by AA, to take advantage of lower fuel fines etc. What is the process involved, and can anyone provide their experiences. (I have used the online booking tool, but I don't think it is booking through AA)

The route I propose is:
cgk-nrt-pek-hkg-jfk-mia-bos-dfw-ord-lax-lhr-dxb-lhr-fco-lhr-hkg-cgk

NRT,PEK are required destinations, and I would prefer to do the hkg-jfk on CX. I can see no way of including lhr-sin (380) on this itinerary. Can anyone see a way of working it in, or in any other way including an A380 segment?

Thanks muchly for your help.

Fraserm

Well the good news is that your route is for a DONE3, not -4, so you can already count your savings!

Creating an optimal route really boils down to what you hope to achieve in terms of destinations you want to visit (not just need to visit), mileage or points accrual (or status achievement). Your route is valid, however remember you're only allowed two stopovers in the continent of origin; not sure if that is an issue.

One note is that CX has a nonstop FCO-HKG, so if you don't need to return to LHR you could use that segment somewhere else; a N. America transcon comes to mind. Avoiding a (non-transit) LHR longhaul departure also saves major coin in terms of UK APD.

You don't indicate when your trip might occur. The A380 situation is a moving target; as more come into service other route options might emerge.

As for avoiding fuel surcharges, if you want to book through AA you can phone the AA RTW desk in the US (use Skype or some other VOIP product if the cost troubles you) and see what their tariff office says compared to the online tool; you might find the issue is less a factor than you thought.

I am also looking at a DONE4 next year and notice ex CGk is quite a bit cheaper than from Australia.

Good luck with it....

Am I right in saying that you wont be penalised if you dont END your RTW in CGK but say in Melbourne and miss the last leg?

Yes, but you'd have to buy an extra continent to do so (without Australia it's a DONE3).