I'm beginning the planning for an around the world trip -- probably lasting about 6 months -- to start this time next year. Because I'm a Star Alliance Gold member, my inclination was to buy their ticket rather than the OneWorld alternative. But I'd be glad for advice from others who've considered the alternatives recently.

a bit more info is required and what class you plan on travelling? do you need to backtack through continents? how many places etc..
oneworld has the one world explorer which hs many benefits/rules. look at that first if its not for you then the remainder of the rtw tickets are fairly similar

I am also looking into travelling the world this July and would love any information I can get. To be more specific, I am spending about 10 weeks and planning to find the kind of ticket that lets you keep moving through 6 or 8 countries without backtracking. I also plan to do excursions from my main stops, but will use local carriers instead of the Pass for those trips. I am just beginning my research about the kinds of tickets offered so even just suggestions to get me started would be a huge help. Thanks!

Do searches here, on trip reports and in the various alliance forums for RTW--you'll find some good info. I also have a good website link to share on how to plan for one of these, but will need to post it tomorrow when I get home.

I recently booked a business class RTW award with SkyTeam, using Randy's AwardPlanner service--they were great! I'll be out 6 - 7 weeks, burning Hilton & Starwood points & bumming off of friends. FYI, here's my itinerary:

Sat 21AUG 657 RQ Delta LV LEXINGTON 620A
First
AR ATLANTA 734A

Sat 21AUG 36 OK Korean Air LV ATLANTA 1210P
(D)
Sun 22AUG AR INCHEON KOREA SO 450P

Sun 22AUG 811 OK Korean Air LV INCHEON KOREA SO 820P
(D)
Mon 23AUG AR SYDNEY 715A

Mon 30AUG 812 OK Korean Air LV SYDNEY 830P
(D)
Tue 31AUG AR INCHEON KOREA SO 605A

Tue 31AUG 701 OK Korean Air LV INCHEON KOREA SO 920A
(D)
AR TOKYO-NARITA 1135A

Mon 06SEP 726 OK Korean Air LV KANSAI INTL JP 450P
(D)
AR INCHEON KOREA SO 640P

Mon 06SEP 953 OK Korean Air LV INCHEON KOREA SO 930P
(D)
Tue 07SEP AR CAIRO 220A

Thu 09SEP 899 OK Alitalia LV CAIRO 405P
(Z)
AR MILAN-MALPENSA 710P

Thu 09SEP 2215 OK Air France LV MILAN-MALPENSA 900P
(O)
AR PARIS-DEGAULLE 1030P

Thu 09SEP 990 OK Air France LV PARIS-DEGAULLE 1115P
(O)
Fri 10SEP AR JOHANNESBURG 940A

Tue 14SEP 995 OK Air France LV JOHANNESBURG 800P
(O)
Wed 15SEP AR PARIS-DEGAULLE 630A

Wed 15SEP 1382 OK Air France LV PARIS-DEGAULLE 735A
(O)
AR PRAGUE 920A

Wed 15SEP 878 OK Czech Airlines LV PRAGUE 1130A
(Z) Snack
AR TALLINN 240P

Wed 29SEP 1047 OK Air France LV WARSAW 705P
(O)
AR PARIS-DEGAULLE 930P

Wed 29SEP 454 OK Air France LV PARIS-DEGAULLE 1115P
(O)
Thu 30SEP AR S PAULO-GUARULHOS 555A

Thu 07OCT 104 OK Delta LV S PAULO-GUARULHOS 955P
B
Elite Dinner
Fri 08OCT AR ATLANTA 635A

Fri 08OCT 4160 OK Delta LV ATLANTA 910A
Coach
AR LEXINGTON 1027A


JP

I personally think the Star Alliance RTW program is a great deal. It's all based on the mileage that you fly, so backtracking is not a problem, but you can't stop in any city more than once. Side trips within Asia and Europe work especially well with all the partners. I'd find a competent travel agent to guide you through it.


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