RTW on Skyteam?
#136
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 198
Originally Posted by karthik
If it's a DL-issued ticket, this is correct. Only F on DL metal within the US. Fortunately there was a nice DL BOS-LAX for the first leg of the 5 month RTW Business award I'm currently on... The Business award is absolutely the best value. Is there even a partner DL can book you into F rather than J on other than CO? KE, nope, AF, nope, most others only seem to have J and Y on most flights as well (at least DL/CO/NW/AV)... Maybe KL or AZ? Dunno.
Also note that, as has probably been discussed, you can't fly on most (nearly all?) CO flights in F with a Business RTW ticket (despite them only having two classes of service; DL and others just sell J/Y with similar service to CO's F), but that's probably a non-issue for most international travel since there are a ton of other choices. Apparently there are a few exceptions; I was told I could fly CO in F back from AUA to BOS at the end of my trip, though there was no availability. I'm currently booked on Avianca AUA-BOG-JFK-BOS with horribly long layovers! Still quite a few months for my two waitlists for DL AUA-ATL flights to hopefully clear... (And I'm not looking forward to immigration in the US noting I'd been in both Amsterdam and Colombia in the week prior to my arrival back in the US .)
All in all, though, I'm amazed at how close to my given dates I was able to book everything, and I booked it all one week in advance. And the people at the DL RTW desk in SLC are AMAZING. (Well, almost all of them. I think I talked to maybe one person there who was just "good".)
Also note that, as has probably been discussed, you can't fly on most (nearly all?) CO flights in F with a Business RTW ticket (despite them only having two classes of service; DL and others just sell J/Y with similar service to CO's F), but that's probably a non-issue for most international travel since there are a ton of other choices. Apparently there are a few exceptions; I was told I could fly CO in F back from AUA to BOS at the end of my trip, though there was no availability. I'm currently booked on Avianca AUA-BOG-JFK-BOS with horribly long layovers! Still quite a few months for my two waitlists for DL AUA-ATL flights to hopefully clear... (And I'm not looking forward to immigration in the US noting I'd been in both Amsterdam and Colombia in the week prior to my arrival back in the US .)
All in all, though, I'm amazed at how close to my given dates I was able to book everything, and I booked it all one week in advance. And the people at the DL RTW desk in SLC are AMAZING. (Well, almost all of them. I think I talked to maybe one person there who was just "good".)
I asked for an award upgrade for US segments and it costs 12500 miles each segment ( in Flying blue program ) but only 7500 in NW worldperks.
Too much, for the ratio ( with Flying Blue )
I tried to pay for these upgrades but it is impossible to do it before travelling because the RTW ticket is special price...and Air france cannot go through the RTW rules.( only booking Y on US domestic flights )
So my last chance is after the beginning of RTW, with Delta and Northwest directly.
#137
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: BOS
Programs: CO Silver; DL FO; SPG Gold; HH Gold
Posts: 880
Have to give the Delta RTW desk and SkyTeam availability in general a big thumbs-up again. Just spent all of 30 minutes on the phone with them to change the dates on 4 different flights, and try to get a 5th routed better. They checked availability for several days for some of the flights, and I was able to get Business seats on almost all the exact dates I wanted (I was a day off for two of the flights) with the routing I wanted for all sectors.
Amazed at how quick this went; it's going to take me a lot longer to make it to the Sydney CTO and get the paper ticket rebooked tomorrow than it took to make the changes over the phone! (Not looking forward to a repeat of my 2.5 hour experience at BOS a bit over a month ago at the start of my trip to do a rebook there... CTOs are better equipped for this sort of ticketing though.)
Best 220k miles I could've spent! (+ $300 in taxes and two $50 rebooking fees so far.)
Amazed at how quick this went; it's going to take me a lot longer to make it to the Sydney CTO and get the paper ticket rebooked tomorrow than it took to make the changes over the phone! (Not looking forward to a repeat of my 2.5 hour experience at BOS a bit over a month ago at the start of my trip to do a rebook there... CTOs are better equipped for this sort of ticketing though.)
Best 220k miles I could've spent! (+ $300 in taxes and two $50 rebooking fees so far.)
#138
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,531
Originally Posted by karthik
Best 220k miles I could've spent! (+ $300 in taxes and two $50 rebooking fees so far.)
I got paper tickets in the beginning, but after the last changes, I got an e-ticket for my itin, which makes it much easier! I know I hated having to keep sending the tickets in.
#139
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,909
Trying to book a ST rtw on NWA -- paid, not using miles, but needs to be booked through NW/KL -- originating from BKK. Is there a dedicated rtw reservation number I can call from the US? Will NWA be able to price the 34,000 miles package at $5,399, as found here, or will I have to go through a Thai agent? Any advice appreciated!
#140
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,531
Originally Posted by jpdx
Trying to book a ST rtw on NWA -- paid, not using miles, but needs to be booked through NW/KL -- originating from BKK. Is there a dedicated rtw reservation number I can call from the US? Will NWA be able to price the 34,000 miles package at $5,399, as found here, or will I have to go through a Thai agent? Any advice appreciated!
I'd probably go through a travel agent. I used Charlie Connection for a Biz class ticket on KE. Everything handled by email, I picked up the tickets in Bangkok with no problems. I think this is his website:
http://www.travelconnecxion.com/
If you can email Charlie directly, he's pretty knowledgeable about the RTW tickets. It's too bad the dollar has been heading south, as I paid under $1600 for my BKK-LAX Biz class ticket. It's probably $100 more now with the Bush Dollar effect.
#141
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Gone to Carolina in my mind
Programs: AA ExpMM, DL 2MM, IHG Spire/RA
Posts: 1,986
Originally Posted by jpdx
Trying to book a ST rtw on NWA -- paid, not using miles, but needs to be booked through NW/KL -- originating from BKK. Is there a dedicated rtw reservation number I can call from the US? Will NWA be able to price the 34,000 miles package at $5,399, as found here, or will I have to go through a Thai agent? Any advice appreciated!
The other good option is to go through a Thai travel agent as the previous poster suggested.
I'll be visiting BKK in a few weeks on a RTW.
Cheers
#142
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,531
If you've never done a RTW before, make sure you know the rules, as it's a bear to ticket. Skyteam has a timetable program on their website, www.skyteam.com that you can download and install on your computer. Very helpful in setting up your itin.
I've only done an award RTW, but I'm sure there's info here on paid RTW.
I've only done an award RTW, but I'm sure there's info here on paid RTW.
#143
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Living in SIN™
Programs: TK/SQ Gold, QR Plat, Marriott/Accor Plat, IC Dia Amb, HH Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,704
Originally Posted by jpdx
Trying to book a ST rtw on NWA -- paid, not using miles, but needs to be booked through NW/KL -- originating from BKK. Is there a dedicated rtw reservation number I can call from the US? Will NWA be able to price the 34,000 miles package at $5,399, as found here, or will I have to go through a Thai agent? Any advice appreciated!
Prices were ~4% higher than the traveltech2000 website.
#144
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,909
Thanks for the information! I actually have to book through NWA, not an agent, and of course I'd like to get my ticket sorted out before I depart for BKK, so I 'll try my luck with the email address.
I have never done a rtw before, but I've done some reading on FT. I'm really most interested in stopovers in Asia, and a trip to Tahiti, and the rest of the ticket will be cheap transpacific/transatlantic transportation. I'd like to hit BKK, TPE, HKG, ICN, NRT, HNL, PDX, PPT, LAX, MUC, DXB, BKK. (I could buy some of the Asian stuff seperately if it doesn't work with the ticket). Is it possible to include PPT in this? Otherwise, I'd be better off with a fake rtw (BKK-TPE-PDX-EWR-MUC-BKK is available on nwa.com for some $3,500).
I have never done a rtw before, but I've done some reading on FT. I'm really most interested in stopovers in Asia, and a trip to Tahiti, and the rest of the ticket will be cheap transpacific/transatlantic transportation. I'd like to hit BKK, TPE, HKG, ICN, NRT, HNL, PDX, PPT, LAX, MUC, DXB, BKK. (I could buy some of the Asian stuff seperately if it doesn't work with the ticket). Is it possible to include PPT in this? Otherwise, I'd be better off with a fake rtw (BKK-TPE-PDX-EWR-MUC-BKK is available on nwa.com for some $3,500).
#145
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SJU
Programs: Amex FHR elite travel agent, Ritz Stars, Hyatt Prive, Four Seasons Preferred Partner and others
Posts: 1,520
Do transfers count in the mileage calculation? i.e. does cle-(jfk)-ams count as just the mileage between cle-ams or both segments?
#146
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Gone to Carolina in my mind
Programs: AA ExpMM, DL 2MM, IHG Spire/RA
Posts: 1,986
Originally Posted by chewy3
Do transfers count in the mileage calculation? i.e. does cle-(jfk)-ams count as just the mileage between cle-ams or both segments?
Cheers
#148
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver, Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles Platinum
Posts: 2,374
RTW Fares ex LHR
Qrtwsky4 Ok Q 1139
Vrtwsky4 Af V 1196
Krtwsky4 Am K 1196
Vrwsky4 Az V 1196
Qrtwsky4 Dl Q 1196
Yrtwsky4 Co B 1199
Yrwwj25 Co B 1199
Yrtwsky4 Ke H 1199
Yrtwsky4 Kl Q 1199
Yrwwj25 Kl M 1199
Yrwwj25 Kq M 1199
Yrwwj25 Mh M 1199
Yrtwsky4 Nw Q 1199
Yrwwj25 Nw M 1199
Qrtwsky3 Ok Q 1339
Trtwsky3 Af T 1406
Srtwsky3 Am S 1406
Krwsky3 Az K 1406
Hrtwsky3 Dl H 1406
Yrtwsky3 Co B 1409
Yrwwj30 Co B 1409
Yrtwsky3 Ke H 1409
Yrtwsky3 Kl Q 1409
Yrwwj30 Kl M 1409
Yrwwj30 Kq M 1409
Yrwwj30 Mh M 1409
Yrtwsky3 Nw Q 1409
Yrwwj30 Nw M 1409
Qrtwsky2 Ok Q 1649
Yrtw Mh Y 1656
Trtwsky2 Af T 1731
Srtwsky2 Am S 1731
Krwsky2 Az K 1731
Hrtwsky2 Dl H 1731
Yrtwsky2 Co B 1739
Yrwwj35 Co B 1739
Yrtwsky2 Ke H 1739
Yrtwsky2 Kl Q 1739
Yrwwj35 Kl M 1739
Yrwwj35 Kq M 1739
Yrwwj35 Mh M 1739
Yrtwsky2 Nw Q 1739
Yrwwj35 Nw M 1739
Qrtwsky1 Ok Q 1859
Trtwsky1 Af T 1952
Srtwsky1 Am S 1952
Krwsky1 Az K 1952
Hrtwsky1 Dl H 1952
Yrtwsky1 Co B 1959
Yrwwj40 Co B 1959
Yrtwsky1 Ke H 1959
Yrtwsky1 Kl Q 1959
Yrwwj40 Kl M 1959
Yrwwj40 Kq M 1959
Yrwwj40 Mh M 1959
Yrtwsky1 Nw Q 1959
Yrwwj40 Nw M 1959
Crtw Mh C 3150
Drtwsky3 Ok D 3869
Drtwsky3 Af D 4062
Jrtwsky3 Am J 4062
Drwsky3 Az D 4062
Crtwsky3 Co Z 4062
Crwwj30 Co Z 4062
Drtwsky3 Dl D 4062
Crtwsky3 Ke C 4062
Crtwsky3 Kl Z 4062
Crwwj30 Kl C 4062
Crwwj30 Kq C 4062
Crwwj30 Mh C 4062
Crtwsky3 Nw Z 4062
Crwwj30 Nw C 4062
Drtwsky2 Ok D 4409
Drtwsky2 Af D 4629
Jrtwsky2 Am J 4629
Drwsky2 Az D 4629
Crtwsky2 Co Z 4629
Crwwj35 Co Z 4629
Drtwsky2 Dl D 4629
Crtwsky2 Ke C 4629
Crtwsky2 Kl Z 4629
Crwwj35 Kl C 4629
Crwwj35 Kq C 4629
Crwwj35 Mh C 4629
Crtwsky2 Nw Z 4629
Crwwj35 Nw C 4629
Drtwsky1 Ok D 5189
Drtwsky1 Af D 5448
Jrtwsky1 Am J 5448
Drwsky1 Az D 5448
Crtwsky1 Co Z 5448
Crwwj40 Co Z 5448
Drtwsky1 Dl D 5448
Crtwsky1 Ke C 5448
Crtwsky1 Kl Z 5448
Crwwj40 Kl C 5448
Crwwj40 Kq C 5448
Crwwj40 Mh C 5448
Crtwsky1 Nw Z 5448
Crwwj40 Nw C 5448
Frtwsky3 Co Z 6999
Frtwsky3 Kl Z 6999
Frtwsky3 Nw Z 6999
Frtwsky3 Ok D 6999
Frtwsky3 Af F 7699
Frtwsky3 Am J 7699
Artwsky3 Dl A 7699
Frtwsky3 Ke F 7699
Frtwsky2 Co Z 8061
Frtwsky2 Kl Z 8061
Frtwsky2 Nw Z 8061
Frtwsky2 Ok D 8061
Frtwsky2 Af F 8867
Frtwsky2 Am J 8867
Artwsky2 Dl A 8867
Frtwsky2 Ke F 8867
Frtwsky1 Co Z 9499
Frtwsky1 Kl Z 9499
Frtwsky1 Nw Z 9499
Frtwsky1 Ok D 9499
Frtwsky1 Af F 10449
Frtwsky1 Am J 10449
Artwsky1 Dl A 10449
Frtwsky1 Ke F 10449
Vrtwsky4 Af V 1196
Krtwsky4 Am K 1196
Vrwsky4 Az V 1196
Qrtwsky4 Dl Q 1196
Yrtwsky4 Co B 1199
Yrwwj25 Co B 1199
Yrtwsky4 Ke H 1199
Yrtwsky4 Kl Q 1199
Yrwwj25 Kl M 1199
Yrwwj25 Kq M 1199
Yrwwj25 Mh M 1199
Yrtwsky4 Nw Q 1199
Yrwwj25 Nw M 1199
Qrtwsky3 Ok Q 1339
Trtwsky3 Af T 1406
Srtwsky3 Am S 1406
Krwsky3 Az K 1406
Hrtwsky3 Dl H 1406
Yrtwsky3 Co B 1409
Yrwwj30 Co B 1409
Yrtwsky3 Ke H 1409
Yrtwsky3 Kl Q 1409
Yrwwj30 Kl M 1409
Yrwwj30 Kq M 1409
Yrwwj30 Mh M 1409
Yrtwsky3 Nw Q 1409
Yrwwj30 Nw M 1409
Qrtwsky2 Ok Q 1649
Yrtw Mh Y 1656
Trtwsky2 Af T 1731
Srtwsky2 Am S 1731
Krwsky2 Az K 1731
Hrtwsky2 Dl H 1731
Yrtwsky2 Co B 1739
Yrwwj35 Co B 1739
Yrtwsky2 Ke H 1739
Yrtwsky2 Kl Q 1739
Yrwwj35 Kl M 1739
Yrwwj35 Kq M 1739
Yrwwj35 Mh M 1739
Yrtwsky2 Nw Q 1739
Yrwwj35 Nw M 1739
Qrtwsky1 Ok Q 1859
Trtwsky1 Af T 1952
Srtwsky1 Am S 1952
Krwsky1 Az K 1952
Hrtwsky1 Dl H 1952
Yrtwsky1 Co B 1959
Yrwwj40 Co B 1959
Yrtwsky1 Ke H 1959
Yrtwsky1 Kl Q 1959
Yrwwj40 Kl M 1959
Yrwwj40 Kq M 1959
Yrwwj40 Mh M 1959
Yrtwsky1 Nw Q 1959
Yrwwj40 Nw M 1959
Crtw Mh C 3150
Drtwsky3 Ok D 3869
Drtwsky3 Af D 4062
Jrtwsky3 Am J 4062
Drwsky3 Az D 4062
Crtwsky3 Co Z 4062
Crwwj30 Co Z 4062
Drtwsky3 Dl D 4062
Crtwsky3 Ke C 4062
Crtwsky3 Kl Z 4062
Crwwj30 Kl C 4062
Crwwj30 Kq C 4062
Crwwj30 Mh C 4062
Crtwsky3 Nw Z 4062
Crwwj30 Nw C 4062
Drtwsky2 Ok D 4409
Drtwsky2 Af D 4629
Jrtwsky2 Am J 4629
Drwsky2 Az D 4629
Crtwsky2 Co Z 4629
Crwwj35 Co Z 4629
Drtwsky2 Dl D 4629
Crtwsky2 Ke C 4629
Crtwsky2 Kl Z 4629
Crwwj35 Kl C 4629
Crwwj35 Kq C 4629
Crwwj35 Mh C 4629
Crtwsky2 Nw Z 4629
Crwwj35 Nw C 4629
Drtwsky1 Ok D 5189
Drtwsky1 Af D 5448
Jrtwsky1 Am J 5448
Drwsky1 Az D 5448
Crtwsky1 Co Z 5448
Crwwj40 Co Z 5448
Drtwsky1 Dl D 5448
Crtwsky1 Ke C 5448
Crtwsky1 Kl Z 5448
Crwwj40 Kl C 5448
Crwwj40 Kq C 5448
Crwwj40 Mh C 5448
Crtwsky1 Nw Z 5448
Crwwj40 Nw C 5448
Frtwsky3 Co Z 6999
Frtwsky3 Kl Z 6999
Frtwsky3 Nw Z 6999
Frtwsky3 Ok D 6999
Frtwsky3 Af F 7699
Frtwsky3 Am J 7699
Artwsky3 Dl A 7699
Frtwsky3 Ke F 7699
Frtwsky2 Co Z 8061
Frtwsky2 Kl Z 8061
Frtwsky2 Nw Z 8061
Frtwsky2 Ok D 8061
Frtwsky2 Af F 8867
Frtwsky2 Am J 8867
Artwsky2 Dl A 8867
Frtwsky2 Ke F 8867
Frtwsky1 Co Z 9499
Frtwsky1 Kl Z 9499
Frtwsky1 Nw Z 9499
Frtwsky1 Ok D 9499
Frtwsky1 Af F 10449
Frtwsky1 Am J 10449
Artwsky1 Dl A 10449
Frtwsky1 Ke F 10449
#149
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 2,956
#150
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 2,583
Where do I go for Professional help on a RTW trip
I am planning a RTW Award flight for two on Skyteam in 2008. I have the miles for either a BC or FC ticket and would do FC if I could get FC seating on the long hauls. I do not consider CO's BF first class.
I am willing to pay a planner to help book a trip. I am not sure where I want to go yet. I have several European destinations in mind and am thinking about flying into AMS or CDG (whichever has best access to low cost carriers) and taking side trips on my own elsewhere in Europe if all I am allowed on award travel is six stop-overs.
Anyway, if you have suggestions for a consultant/travel agent, let me know. I want someone who knows the rules and is willing to book award flights.
Suggestions appreciated. Feel free to PM me with names if you are not comfortable in posting them here.
I am willing to pay a planner to help book a trip. I am not sure where I want to go yet. I have several European destinations in mind and am thinking about flying into AMS or CDG (whichever has best access to low cost carriers) and taking side trips on my own elsewhere in Europe if all I am allowed on award travel is six stop-overs.
Anyway, if you have suggestions for a consultant/travel agent, let me know. I want someone who knows the rules and is willing to book award flights.
Suggestions appreciated. Feel free to PM me with names if you are not comfortable in posting them here.