I'm thinking of buying RTW tickets for next summer. Before I talk to an airline or travel agent, I'd like to get a few clarifications from the experts.

Is it better to use an airline reservation or a travel agent? If an airline which one? I plan to drive to Vancouver, B.C. for the originating flight. I learned on this forum that it's Canada's cheaper than the US.

I notice that LH books in F not in A. Does that mean that LH has no capacity controls on RTW flights in FC?

I need three tickets for the following:

YVR OGG

OGG NRT

NRT FRA

FRA YVR

What are the chances of getting three FC tickets for June-July of 2002?

Is it true that on a D class RTW ticket that SFO OGG on UA is in coach?

Thanks in advance for your help. You guys really know your stuff.

I meant what are the chances of getting three FC seats on the same flight. Thanks

LH books First Class RTW in A class.

As far as I can see you will not be able to SFO-OGG on UA D class since that is only a two class cabin flight. Which means you can choose between First or Eco.

You're right Kempis, I was a sloppy. What I meant to ask was: If I buy a business class RTW ticket am I relegated to coach. Or does the normal rule apply, that is, on domestic flights with two classes of service, a business class RTW ticket garners you a FC seat.

on UA two class flights, a paid business rtw gets you into first with the following exceptions:

'downgraded' to eco on US Mainland to Hawaii or Puerto Rico or Mexico (Mexico depends if the upper-class is still defined as first, or as it seems now business?).

Thanks Rudi,

Do you know why they have the exception? What do you do? Redeem a one-way upgrade? I don't even know if they have such a thing to Hawaii?

Another thing Rudi,

I was looking through the old posts and I noticed that in your Part II Star Alliance you showed LH booking in F not A. Has that changed?

Star rtw booking Classes (June 2001)
Airline, Fisrt, Business Economy, YRWSPCL (Star Light)
AC: F, C/S, H, H
BD: D, D, Q, W
LH: A, D, B, H
MX: D, D, S, K
NG: F/D, D, K, B
NH: F, D, B, B
NZ: A, D, B, H
OS: F/D, D, K, B
RG: A, D, B, H
SK: A, D, B, H
SQ: A, D, B, H
TG: A, D, B, H
UA: A, D, B, H
VO: F/D, D, K, V

What do you do?

well, I did upgrade my recent paid business Star-rtw for the UA segment ORD (Chicago) - SJU (San Juan, Puerto Rico) with MileagePlus miles (not vouchers). As my ticket 'shows' paid business, it costs only miles for full fare-'eco' = 8'000 miles/each-way to upgrade from eco to first for this two-class flights.

Hey Rudi, thanks -- 8,000 a segment that's not too bad. Still, seems like I'm being cheated.

Let me ask you another question. I have 0 status with UA. If I didn't upgrade, would they allow me to sit with the annointed. That is, would my business class RTW ticket be deemed a Y type ticket. Or would I be relegate with the ****ed -- those 27 inch pitch seats in the back?

Hey Rudi, I have another question:

I notice from your list that AC books in F. Does that mean that they have no capacity controls.

I'm sure AC has YVR HNL no they have this "down grade" business to HNL like HA?

if you are StarGold (in any Star-frequent-flier program) than you should get confirmed seat reservations in econmy-Plus.

But I guess (don't know for sure) that a paid business, 'downgraded' to eco on the segments mentioned, also entitles to eco Plus (as it does for non UA status holders paying full eco-fare).

I mean

Does AC have the UA downgrade rule?

Thanks Rudi,

You've been very helpful. To help you help me -- I have status with no one.

In a prior life, I was a lot of things but no more.

AC doesn't fly any 3-class planes and doesn't offer first-class, so no 'downgrade' rule for/with them.