QF sector on RTW ticket
May 30, 2018, 8:40 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,162
May 31, 2018, 9:42 am
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: UA 1K/MM, EK Gold, CX Silver
Posts: 880
Yes I do use them, but there is only a small saving in time, still two long lines for inspection and then customs exit. Also about 1/3 of the time I am told by staff not to use the machines if not a citizen - arguing doesn't help
May 31, 2018, 12:40 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 141
as part of a RTW ticket issued on UA stock.
May 31, 2018, 12:45 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
UA used to have a RTW desk with agents who specifically supported this product, but I believe that's long-gone now, so you have to hope that you get a good agent when you call.
Jun 1, 2018, 2:33 am
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: UA 1K/MM, EK Gold, CX Silver
Posts: 880
RTW tickets on UA stock and tips
Actually, the rate desk handles RTW tickets now. So you can't call them directly, but only requesting transfer from an agent. On the other hand, these are all very experienced knowledgeable agents.
There is sometimes a $100 or $200 difference in total fares between LH booking online and UA stock, depending on which airlines you are flying, but in the overall picture of a total fare of $8000 and up, this is not a big deal.
Another tip I recently learnt, is that if you set up the itinerary on the staralliance site, and quote the reference number (about 12 characters), the agent can pick it up and manually enter the same flights - much faster than feeding them over the phone.
The last piece of lore I would share, (I have done quite a few RTW tickets), is that some partner airlines take 24 hours to confirm bookings - you must wait until all booked segments are confirmed before ticketing, otherwise you can end up with an invalid ticket ! This can be avoided by asking the agent the expiry time of the booking, ensuring that it is at least 24 hours, or asking them for longer. Then call back close to 24 hrs after booking to ticket, or wait more than 24 hrs and ticket online on the UA site. This does not apply to UA and LH and possibly a few other partner flights, where they have a "seamless" connection between their systems, and confirmation is immediate.
Lastly, read the fare rules carefully - it is really a good fare! (attached is a sample)
There is sometimes a $100 or $200 difference in total fares between LH booking online and UA stock, depending on which airlines you are flying, but in the overall picture of a total fare of $8000 and up, this is not a big deal.
Another tip I recently learnt, is that if you set up the itinerary on the staralliance site, and quote the reference number (about 12 characters), the agent can pick it up and manually enter the same flights - much faster than feeding them over the phone.
The last piece of lore I would share, (I have done quite a few RTW tickets), is that some partner airlines take 24 hours to confirm bookings - you must wait until all booked segments are confirmed before ticketing, otherwise you can end up with an invalid ticket ! This can be avoided by asking the agent the expiry time of the booking, ensuring that it is at least 24 hours, or asking them for longer. Then call back close to 24 hrs after booking to ticket, or wait more than 24 hrs and ticket online on the UA site. This does not apply to UA and LH and possibly a few other partner flights, where they have a "seamless" connection between their systems, and confirmation is immediate.
Lastly, read the fare rules carefully - it is really a good fare! (attached is a sample)