Star Alliance RTW WAY easier than it had been...
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Most of them
Posts: 367
Star Alliance RTW WAY easier than it had been...
Just finished my 4th RTW but the prior ones were all 5+ years ago. They were all RTW 1st class and I didn't fly a single plane with a true 1st class...all "business" 1st. Well, some of them were more business than others (see http://2016spepresident.travellerspoint.com/) for details of the trip.
But the observation I am making is that although I couldn't get the online tool to do just what I wanted, the waiting time for the LH reps doing RTW service was minimal, they made the trip plenty easy and the five changes I made en route were easily handled.
The only complications came when I added an "around the Caspian and the Middle East" loop in the middle----that had to be done with another reservation but ultimately the RTW flight was so much easier than I remember. Am I just lucky? My previous trips all had at least one major calamity involving hours on the phone.
But the observation I am making is that although I couldn't get the online tool to do just what I wanted, the waiting time for the LH reps doing RTW service was minimal, they made the trip plenty easy and the five changes I made en route were easily handled.
The only complications came when I added an "around the Caspian and the Middle East" loop in the middle----that had to be done with another reservation but ultimately the RTW flight was so much easier than I remember. Am I just lucky? My previous trips all had at least one major calamity involving hours on the phone.
#4
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
You can go to the *A site and build your trip and play around with it (kinda fun).
#6
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
It might surprise you but some people here actually pay money for RTWs in premium classes. The RTW awards are usually not a good deal, but the paid RTWs are a great deal if you can make use of the many stops and the very good availability.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
I would book a RTW but with PQDs for UA MP I don't have the flexibility giving away that many dollars not going to status.
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
What is the typical fare for a RTW in business departing the USA?
#9
Join Date: May 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 151
SQ had the best value several years ago. They had an RTW F fare (FEZSQ) that priced out at approx. $7300 (SFO777 did a couple of trips reports on his flights). I flew JFK/FRA//MUC/MAN//LHR//SIN/NRT/LAX. Too bad that fare doesn't exist anymore.
#11
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
The fare varies depending on the country where you start the RTW. Some asian Countries and South Africa are often significantly cheaper, especially when the local currency tanks and the price is in local currency and not in USD.
It is also valid for one year (from first flight) and changes (including routing) are relatively inexpensive. The main limitation is the number of miles total and a limit of 15 coupons.
It is also valid for one year (from first flight) and changes (including routing) are relatively inexpensive. The main limitation is the number of miles total and a limit of 15 coupons.
#12
They were.... but a lot less in the last 2 years. Prices have gone up substantially and booking classes (and therefore availability) have gone down. The great thing still is the flexibility, but in a lot of cases when flying fairly straightforward routes paid or award tickets are now an alternative.
#14
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
The fare varies depending on the country where you start the RTW. Some asian Countries and South Africa are often significantly cheaper, especially when the local currency tanks and the price is in local currency and not in USD.
It is also valid for one year (from first flight) and changes (including routing) are relatively inexpensive. The main limitation is the number of miles total and a limit of 15 coupons.
It is also valid for one year (from first flight) and changes (including routing) are relatively inexpensive. The main limitation is the number of miles total and a limit of 15 coupons.
It's a pretty fun and interactive site: http://www.staralliance.com/en/booking/book-and-fly/#
#15
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 929
Depends on distance, but probably $11-14k. Starting in Japan/Korea would be $8-10k after taxes and airport fees.