Some basic RTW questions
Oct 15, 2001 | 8:24 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 462
Thanks again,
I guess I'm a creature of habit. I was thinking of surfacing from SEA to YVR and flying YVR to SFO then Hawaii on UA. But I guess it's better to go YVR HNL on AC.
I haven't flown AC in a while. Do you still have that 3 by 2 seating in business?
I guess I'm a creature of habit. I was thinking of surfacing from SEA to YVR and flying YVR to SFO then Hawaii on UA. But I guess it's better to go YVR HNL on AC.
I haven't flown AC in a while. Do you still have that 3 by 2 seating in business?
Oct 16, 2001 | 1:49 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Programs: QF Platinum One (LTG), UA Plat IHG Plat
Posts: 5,836
To answer the question about what you do in a paid D class RTW on UA 2 class domestic, I refer you to this rule (ie: RUdi, I think you were ticketed incorrectly!):
Of course SFO-OGG is likely not considered part of "Continental USA" 
------------------
RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.
[This message has been edited by RichardMEL (edited 10-16-2001).]
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
)IN THE CASE WHERE THE CLASS OF SERVICE FOR WHICH
THE PASSENGER HAS PAID IS N O T AVAILABLE
OVER A PARTICULAR PORTION OF THE ITINERARY
AT THE TIME OF RESERVATIONS - THE PASSENGER WILL
BE BOOKED/ACCOMMODATED IN THE NEXT LOWER CLASS
OF SERVICE AND N O REFUND SHALL APPLY-EXCEPTION
ON SECTORS WITHIN/BETWEEN CONTINENTAL USA/
CANADA WHERE N O BUSINESS CLASS IS OFFERED
AT TIME OF BOOKING - PASSENGERS MAY TRAVEL IN
FIRST CLASS (SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY).
</font>
)IN THE CASE WHERE THE CLASS OF SERVICE FOR WHICH
THE PASSENGER HAS PAID IS N O T AVAILABLE
OVER A PARTICULAR PORTION OF THE ITINERARY
AT THE TIME OF RESERVATIONS - THE PASSENGER WILL
BE BOOKED/ACCOMMODATED IN THE NEXT LOWER CLASS
OF SERVICE AND N O REFUND SHALL APPLY-EXCEPTION
ON SECTORS WITHIN/BETWEEN CONTINENTAL USA/
CANADA WHERE N O BUSINESS CLASS IS OFFERED
AT TIME OF BOOKING - PASSENGERS MAY TRAVEL IN
FIRST CLASS (SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY).
</font>
------------------
RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.
[This message has been edited by RichardMEL (edited 10-16-2001).]
Oct 16, 2001 | 2:23 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2001
Programs: IHG Diamond, HH Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 4,345
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by VicOsaki:
Is it better to use an airline reservation or a travel agent? If an airline which one.
</font>
Is it better to use an airline reservation or a travel agent? If an airline which one.
</font>
IME, the best thing to do is find a travel agent who understands RTWs or, at the very least, will just do as you ask and give you a good price. It can take some searching though.
Oct 16, 2001 | 5:57 am
#20
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,043
RichardMEL: I don't think UA did wrongly (according to the rules) downgrade my ORD-SJU segments (which I was afterwards able to upgrade with 2*8'000 Mileage Plus miles for the return trip). Puerto Rico is not part of continental US/North America. And UA offers only eco and first-class for these flights.
Oct 16, 2001 | 7:04 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 462
I find that I travel agent by and large just gets in the way.
As you know, the airlines have put a cap on most tickets at $20. Does anyone know what the commission structure is on RTW tickets? Is it worthwhile for them to fool with these things? Or should I just go directly to an airline?
As you know, the airlines have put a cap on most tickets at $20. Does anyone know what the commission structure is on RTW tickets? Is it worthwhile for them to fool with these things? Or should I just go directly to an airline?
Oct 16, 2001 | 7:25 am
#22
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,043
I, personally, always go to the airline ('my' LH downtown Zurich 'angel'). Even if I would miss some rebate, I win on upgrade 'influence' (on LH and UA segments) and I did profit in the past also, when 'things' didn't go 'smoth' (reimbursement of stolen items out of checked and first misguided luggage on Ansett in SYD; tf calls to book tickets a day before price-increases: I did profit twice for rtw-tickets in the last 24 months from this).
Oct 16, 2001 | 7:31 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 462
Thanks everyone for all the help -- especially Rudi.
Hey Rudi with all your experience with RTW's have you had difficulty getting first class seats? Do you think my lack of status with any airline will hurt? I don't want wait lists. And my last troblem is that all three of us must travel together.
Hey Rudi with all your experience with RTW's have you had difficulty getting first class seats? Do you think my lack of status with any airline will hurt? I don't want wait lists. And my last troblem is that all three of us must travel together.
Oct 16, 2001 | 7:36 am
#24
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,043
the only waitlisted upgrade from paid business to first (for about 4 weeks until it cleared) on my last 26-segment rtw in sep-2001 was the (infamous for upgrades) UA NRT-BKK segment.
But I am an early 'booker' and I was travelling alone.
But I am an early 'booker' and I was travelling alone.
Oct 16, 2001 | 7:49 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 462
That's interesting. I guess you buy a business class ticket and upgrade with miles. You must have plenty.
Given my itinerary, I guess a UA/CX ticket would do just as well. I can save maybe $2,000 per ticket. The only downside I can imagine is that I can't use LH to run around Europe. But that's no problem for us. Can you see any downside to a UA/CX ticket vs. a RTW?
Given my itinerary, I guess a UA/CX ticket would do just as well. I can save maybe $2,000 per ticket. The only downside I can imagine is that I can't use LH to run around Europe. But that's no problem for us. Can you see any downside to a UA/CX ticket vs. a RTW?