*A RTW Layover Mileage Question
 

Hi,

My name is Skip and I'm going to begin a 34,000 mile RTW ticket with *A. I understand all of the rules fully. However when it comes to how many miles each flight counts, I am not sure how things work. If I layover (defined as staying less than 24 hours, correct?) from one city to the next, because there are no direct flights, do the miles from both the flights count toward the 34,000 or does it only count toward it as much as the Great Circle distance, the distance if there were a direct flight? I hope it's the great circle direct distance and not the two flights becasue I am right on the cusp, but I would really like to know. Please let me know if you know.

Also, relatedly but a diferent question, does anybody know which companys' miles and in what ratio do they transfer to United's frequent flyer program?

Cheers!
Skip

Welcome to Flyer Talk SkipDrake :)

I assume you are referring to paid standard *A RTWs.

In this case each flight counts as long as it requires a separate "coupon". In general this means every time you change flight number, or stop for a day or more, there is a new coupon.

Eg NZ2 AKL-LHR may be one coupon even though transits LAX, but if you choose to stop one night in LAX and continue on NZ2 the next day that would require 2 coupons. NZ6 AKL-LAX connecting to NZ2 LAX-LHR would require 2 coupons regardless of whether you are continuing same day (just a few hours transit at LAX) or stopping over.

Each coupon has mileage from start to end point. This will be close to the amount on great circle mapper, but not identical. The amounts determined may vary slightly depending on which airline issues the ticket.

Mileage earned depends on the rules of your frequent flyer program. The base amount would be from that airline's calculation of the distances, but with minimum mileage, status bonus, class of service bonus, etc factored in according to that program's rules (often varying by the airline operating the flight too).

Thanks Kiwi Flyer. I kind of understand. I have to take direct but not non-stop flights? I should be more specific. I want to go from Manilla (MNL) to Shanghai (PVG) but there are no flights. Therefore I have to go through Singapore on Singapore airlines. Can I take flight SQ71 from MNL to SIN and then SQ836 from SIN to PVG but have it count as the reat circle distance? Or does thi count as two separate flights when it comes to taking miles away from my 34,000 total miles??

Also, if it does count as two flights, then I should b fine as long as the following happens:

I am starting my trip in London, at LHR. Can I fly back to London City instead of Heathrow and it will count as ending my trip?? There is a section about this on the *A rules but it does not include this. I think it only includes airports that you might not suspect as counting as the same city, but in this case it does not include it because it is obviously possible. Does that sound right?

Also, are the distances on the timetables what the agent will see to calculate the ticket? I assume they are but thell me f they are otherwise.

This thread is or any kind person to reply to, but thanks to Kiwi Flyer to responding so quickly.

Cheers,
Skip

Thanks

MNL-SIN-PVG counts as 2 flights to the flight segment limit and approx 1474+2357=3831 miles towards total mileage limit.

You can start and end at different airports within the same country. In this case the mileage between start and end location is not included. No real effect within UK (unless you are close to the limit), but potentially a big saver in wide countries like USA, Australia. Note you may also be able to use city codes for some flights instead of airport codes - eg TYO-OSA is considerably shorter than NRT-KIX.

The airlines have their own distances they use. Mostly they will be close to the distance on great circle mapper (or a timetable) but not always.