RTW ticket Rules
 

originally posted under the Buzz

the following are the rules for travel starting in GERMANY:

Starting/Ending points
Travel must start and end in the same country (US/Canada and all of Skcandinavia are considered as one country).

*booking classes: Eco / Business / First
UA B / D / A
LH B / D / F
TG M / C / P
AC B / C,S,A / F
SK B / C / F,D
RG H / C / F
NZ V(intern),T(domestic) / D,J / P/J
AZ V / D / D

Exceptions: UA-segments in US/Canada in 2 class-planes: business becomes first (but downgrading from business to eco for US-Hawaii and US-Alaska-segments).

Fare-Bases
29'000 flight miles RWSTAR1.
34'000 flight miles RWSTAR2.
39'000 flight miles RWSTAR3.
surface miles DO COUNT as well.

Minimum stay
10 days (before the last intercontinental flight).

Maximum stay
1 year.

Stops
Minimum: 3, Maximum: 15.
In USA/Canada max 5.
Per town only ONE.
A surface sector counts as a stopover.
The following airports are considered same town:
Rio de Janeiro: RIO/GIG/SDU
Sao Paulo: SAO/GRU/CGH
Paris: CDG/ORY
London: LHR/LGW/STN
Munich: MUC/AGB
Oslo: FBU/GEN/TRF
New York: JFK/LGA/EWR
Washington: IAD/DCA/BWI
Miami: MIA/FLL/PBI
Chicago: ORD/MDW
Houston: IAH/HOU
Dallas: DFW/DAL
San Francisco: SFO/OAK/SJC
Los Angeles: LAX/ONT/SNA/BUR

Rebates
Children under 2 years, no seat: 90%.
Children under 2 years, with seat: 33%.
Children under 12 years: 33%.
No discount on rebooking fees.

* No-code-share-fligths
* when starting in Germany: only two german segments allowed
* only one Transpacific "crossing" (more than one segment "in-line" possible)

Rebooking of travel-dates
*before ticketing: ok, free
*after ticketing: no change possible before and including first intercontinetal segment, other segments free
*after trip started: no change possible before and including first intercontinetal segment, other segments free

Reroutings
*before ticketing: ok, free
*after ticketing: no change possible before and including first intercontinetal segment, other segments $75 per transaction
*after trip started: no change possible before and including first intercontinetal segment, other segments $75 per transaction.

Reimbursement of ticket
before departure: full reimbusement after departure: partial reimbursement (but no reimbursement when changing cabin-classes, or flying less miles).

just forwarding this information

... and per sep-1-1999 StarAlliance rtw LITE:[*]valid in eco only[*]max mileage 26'000[*]booking classes: UA=W, TG=M, SK=V, RG=H, LH=L, AC=B, AN=V, NZ=V (int) T (dom)[*]minimum stay: 10 days, maximum stay: 1 year[*]stopovers: minimum: 3, maximum 5[*]the prices are extremly low: ex Switzerland Swiss Francs 2'860 = US$ 1703[*]general restriction rules from above for Star 1, 2, 3 apply too

since the introduction of these rtw fares in 1998 I took 5 rtw-trips ...

(mileage wise the very best ones were those in late 98 when LH and UA did run their 'ride all StarAlliance carriers (6 it was then) and get 100'000 miles'. I took at least 2 segments with each carrier and booked one on my UA- and the other one on my LH-Frequent-flier-program and did earn a bonus of 100'000 miles with each carrier http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I flew one RTW in Feb and have just finished booking one for April. Will have agent ticket it this week in case of price changes ex-VIE.

Had no problems till I broke some toes en-route. Persuaded UA to upgrade everything after the first sector - where accident happened - to first for $2000. Not sure how they worked out the fare - but it took a wonderful ticket agent at ORD 2 hours to do - but it changed everything for me.

I have reviewed a lot of the postings re: RTW rules and still have a follow-up question:

I'm confused about the "round-the-world" requirements (only one Pacific crossing and only one Atlantic crossing). Recently, in speaking with the UA 1K Res. desk the CS Rep. mentioned that you could go US-PAcific and back AND US-Europe and back (two crossings each). Assuming that you meet all of the other RTW requirements (min stay, 3x 24 hr stopovers, etc.) and are based in the U.S., can you do a RTW like SFO-NRT-SIN-HKG-LAX-LHR-SFO?

All written rules for StarAlliance rtw tickets (may-2000-edition, including Austrian-Group, Mexicana and British Midland) say no.

But if you find somebody saying yes, don't hesitate, book with him/her.

I discussed last week some StarAlliance-rtw-rules with m'my' local LH-people (I broght them some ice-cream for their problems they solved with my upcoming rtw in Sep and the UA-upgrade-parts). In 1999 (sep, rtw, combining drinks with SIN-Flyer at the SIN-Hyatt, Pip-preparation in HNL with PremEx and tropical-Flyer, circus in SEA with punki et al, SFO-get-together, PremEx-special-Disneyland-dinner, Raeban/onefreeman-childhood-revival in Disneyworld, Disneyland-wine-cellar-get-together, Pierre-breakfast-get-together in NYC, Catman-tennis-baptising at the US-Open, Jet's-season-opener in New Jersey) I booked a Star-rtw-trip with LH. LH didn't know that UA doesn't allow Express-segments on rtw-tickets.

I got several (total of 4) LAX-SNA-LAX-SNA-LAX-segments with this ticket ('costing' me 36 miles towards the 29'000 total miles allowed, credting me 1'000 status-miles each on my LH-Senator-status-account). LH-Zurich 'confessed' last week, that UA has later charged LH extra for those 4 segments.

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 07-31-2000).]

I agree with Rudi - however don't be disappointed if they say you can do it, and it comes back to you rejected or more expensive by the rate desk. On these hairy RTW itineraries, they've always had to be processed by the rate desk of the plating airline, and sometimes they will interpret rules differently than the res agents.

Unfortnately, at least with UA, their word is law and you are nearly without any recourse in the UA organization if they interpret a rule contrary to your and a res agent's analysis.

Greg

My last RTW was booked with an AC SE agent. I ticketed it with the FRA CTO which I deal with regularly. They informed my that my routing in Asia was illegal (going "up" and "down" and "back" and "forth" too many times...essentially forming a badly shaped star). They also said that once booked and accepted as an RTW...no one will care...they just want it paid for and off their desk.

Dorian

p.s. I didn't argue about it being illegal, just wanted my ticket, though I HIGHLY doubt it was illegal as Rudi mainly planned it.

------------------
Star Alliance RTW Price Chart: http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
Star Alliance Comparison Chart: http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall.html

Do the RTW rules differ by ticketing carrier? I will be starting a RTW in Montreal, but I would like to end it in Newark. I was told this was not possible.

It seems to be very difficult to find where the rules are laid out in detail on the carrier's sites. I have not been able to find it on either the UA or AC sites.

rules are the same for all carriers, but they vary from (departing) cotinent to continent, and the prices vary from departing country to country.

if you email me your fax-address I can fax you the general rules.

I found the following at the Star Alliance website...

"There are other rules which apply to both these Star Alliance RTW fares. The itinerary has to include one Transatlantic as well as one Transpacific crossing. A minimum stay of 10 days must generally be observed and return travel from the last international stopover point must commence no later than twelve months after departure. The journey must end in the same country as it began."

" The itinerary has to include one Transatlantic as well as one Transpacific crossing." It doesn't say you can't have more than one!

And I realize that…" There are other rules which apply to both these Star Alliance RTW fares." These other rules could specify only one transpacific/atlantic crossing! Oh well, I'll try working it as it appears to be a great way for me to string together economical travel for both an APAC and European set of business trips (with one of the 24 + hour stopovers at home).

One of these other rules is: Your trip must follow one "general direction" (east or west). AFAIK there is NO possibilty crossing atlantic or pacific twice - if you don't consider AKL - NAN // NAN - AKL being pacific crossings.

" The itinerary has to include one Transatlantic as well as one Transpacific crossing." It doesn't say you can't have more than one!

sorry, that's wrong. Here is the exact wording: another rule: source: Star Alliance "Round the World" - leaflet, May 2000 (includes already Mexicana, Austrian Group, British Midland)

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 07-31-2000).]

Rudi,

I copied and pasted the wording from the Star Alliance website (and albeit older, press release. I did a "google" search on " star alliance round the world " and came up with
http://www.star-alliance.com/isroot/SA/htmen/0_2l.htm

and found the exact wording). I really didn't try to say if it was right or wrong. Please understand that I was merely trying to understand the limits of the RTW rules, and to solicit people's experiences and interpretations. I appreciate that you've taken the time to document your feeling that this two-{pac/atl}ocean hop RTW routing is strictly against the rules. The good news is that we'll test the limits and communicate the results, all for the greater good.

WBR, mvl

p.s. Go Pats

It also doesn't say you can't cross the Pacific ten times. But that doesn't mean that you are allowed to do so.

"A minimum stay of 10 days must generally be observed"

Seeing most of the wording these use is very specific, this one looks very "rubbery"!

In practice will they bend on this one in anyone's experience?

Agreed that it doesn't say you can't cross the Pacific ten times.

But that might put you over the limit (29/34/39k) on miles and you'd still have to do have trans-atlantic flight to boot.

with *A RTW fares you do not have to maintain a general east - west routing except for the limitation of only one TA and one TP crossing.

I use these fares extensively and alwyas have circle routings or zig zag routings in Asia, Europe, and NA and it has never been questioned.

Also, with ref to the TP crossing you are allowed to have more than one segment but the direction must remain continuous. (i.e. you can fly KIX - HNL - LAX but not KIX - HNL - KIX - YVR).

one major advantage of the *A over the OW RTW fares is the ability to trnasfer through a city more than twice and also the ability to have for than one transcon flight in the US/Canada.

it is true that most members and even in some countries UA itself are not aware of the UA Express exclusion. (I hv had the UA agent in BRU issue UAX segments without question - i wonder how they charge them back??)

some airlines have their own rules / restrictions too. For example LH once objected to my crossing into and out of Germany four times on one ticket. UA didnt object so i had them issue the ticket.

finally, it seems that each airline uses thier own method for calculating chargeable miles - i have had identical itins cpme back from three diff airlines (UA, LH, and SQ) with three diff mileage totals - of course i took the lowest total http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I believe the eastward/westward restriction was removed within the last year.

the rules as of may-2000 followed by Booking details: Airlines, CRS Profiles, Booking/Classes, and half a page of small-small print (I will post this later).

Rudi,

I have ripped off your posting of rules for the *A RTW chart...hope you don't mind! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Dorian



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Star Alliance RTW Price Chart: http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
Star Alliance Comparison Chart: http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall.html

Dorian: I love it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

part II Star Alliance "Round the World", may-2000, rules
And muliple small-small-small prints about changes of travel (ask here if you really must know).

Regarding booking classes: have a look under http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum82/HTML/000200.html : it looks like StarAlliance is going to change to/introduce standard/harmonized booking-classes codes, starting this nov-2000 with SK and LH.

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 08-01-2000).]

I just notice that BD is still missing on the above info (and on my may-2000 folder). ;( sorry.

Wow Hadn't been on xour price chart quite a while. Just noticed, that the RTW in ZAR are extremly good. Some 25% below the already quite cheap fares from Germany. If I'd only knew how to get one of those ?
Ruuudi ?

Ya, those South African fares are outstanding...problems is how do you originate AND start there!??! I figure that would kill the savings for many of us!

Dorian

------------------
Star Alliance RTW Price Chart: http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
Star Alliance Comparison Chart: http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall.html

part III Star Alliance "Round the World", may-2000, the small-small-print
ufffff!

What happens if you fail to complete the journey within a year - i.e. travel all except the last sector?

This wouldn't be a re-route ... Or would it?

[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 08-01-2000).]

roger, i think they do a charge-back to the issuing agent.

i took my 1st RTW using an agent that was rebating part of my commission. When i got home he called me to ensure that I'd been on all legs b4 he sent me the check for the commission.

That then means you always have to return to the airport you started the RTW trip.

Thanks, Jamiel and hsilbiger.

I was thinking of a RTW starting in JNB in ZAR - good prices! - with a one-way LON-JNB beforehand. This would leave a non-used LON-JNB at the end of the RTW.

I could use that as part of the next trip, assuming the next trip is within 12 months. Or get a cheapo LON-JNB-LON to use at either end of the RTW. This would mean a lot of extra travelling plus the extra cost of the LON-JNB-LON, so would probably not be worth it in the end.

Pity!

hsilbiger: That then means you always have to return to the airport you started the RTW trip. No: same country, not same airport (yes for Luxembourg, they only have one airport ... if any?).

A couple of questions more:
1) Does the 15 city limit apply to stopovers of over 24hs? Or a does a connection city count also? (this would mean only 15 flights).
2) Assuming a London-(via Frankfurt)-Asia-(transpacific)-USA-(transatlantic)-Frankfurt trip, then stopping for over 6 months (Actually going back home in South America) and finally resuming: FRA-Cairo-FRA(no stopover) - Moskow- Copenhagen(with SAS)-London, ending the RTW ticket:
Asuming less than 39K and less that 15 stops:
a) will airlines deny this because of a 6 month stopover? (they shouldn't, but...)
b) Are Cairo and Moskow valid cities after having already flown in that direction, from Frankfurt or London?

mh: no stopover problem for you but the last segments will not be allowed, as you do this after arriving back in your original originating continent.

Example: they wouldn't let me add, at the end of a former rtw (starting ZRH-FRA-USA heading West) after having come back to FRA (from Asia, without stopover planned in FRA) a FRA-LHR-MUC-ZRH trip

Rudi, thanks for a quick answer...
Does this mean that when ending your RTW trip you must go straigth back to your origin/end city, without touching any other city in that continent?
What is exactly the reason?
As far as I know the restriction are ending in the same country. There is also something about no stopover more than once in the same city.
Is it because of just connecting through and already used city (eg Frankfurt)? If this is the reason, they I can probably workaround be flying through other cities.
Another example: Starting in London, heading west to USA, then Asia, and coming back to Europe on Singapore Airlines to Madrid. If you are right then this last leg should'nt be valid, since I'm already in Europe.
If your are right, then I will need to completely rethink my holidays.

no - you can have one, two more segments (a total of 5 from the start) in Europe but you can't make more than 360°. So when I start ZRH-FRA and than going West, when coming back I could stop in Helsinki, than Copenhague, than Munich and end in Switzerland (Zurich or Basel or Geneva or Lugano, but not going to Paris-Madrid, etc).

but, that's 'living' strictly to all the rules - exceptions happen ...

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 08-02-2000).]

The first posting in this thread claims that the US and Canada are considered one country. I checked with both AC and UA and they say it is not true. Start in Canda, end in Canada.

the first posting was correct at posting time (Rudi posted 03-31-1999 05:47 AM). I did, just 2 days ago, post the new rules. ok?