What is backtracking
 

i recently enquired about a *award from FRA - CPT. the CSR found FRA - LHR - CPT (on LH and SA). i then asked if i could book it from PRN (prishtina, kosova) hes said the routing (VIE-FRA-LHR-CPT) would be backtraking and not allowed. i'm curious what this backtraking is and where i can find more information. IMHO FRA - LHR should be backtraking as well.

Based on the fact that they consider VIE-FRA-LHR-CPT to be backtracking, while they don't consider FRA-LHR-CPT to be, could it be because VIE-FRA-LHR is over 500 miles?

I thought backtracking was when you have 2 or more lay-overs, and if anything after the first layover moves you back towards your departure city, then that's back-tracking.

For instance, NYC-ORD-IAD-SFO?

Steve B.

PRN-VIE-FRA-LHR-CPT may not be a valid routing for some reason, but I don't see how it's backtracking. OS has flights, though, from VIE to LHR, so maybe you could avoid FRA and meet UA's requirements that way. Or perhaps take SA from FRA and avoid LHR and meet the requirements with that routing.

that's an interesting idea. thanks

does anyone know where i can find a definition?

From the RTW calculator perspective, it seems as thought "backtracking" is allowed as long as it is for the purposes of a connecting flight and not for a stopover.

Backtracking is starting in one direction, then reversing your direction before getting to the final destination. Typically this is only an issue with RTW tickets. If a routing shows up in Starnet it should be valid regardless of backtracking. A basic example of this would be doing SFO-JFK-NRT as this starts eastbound then goes west (OK, North, but it's considered a Pacific route).

As noted, there is an exeption for RTW travel if you are simply connecting. Consider the following itinerary - IAD-FRA-BUD-FRA-PEK-SFO-IAD. This would be valid as long as only one of the connections through FRA is a stopover. If the second time in FRA is a stopover (along with BUD) then you have backtracked (it can be more complex than this).

None of this really applies to your award ticket, so I'd simply call back and talk to another agent.

Backtracking is allowed in continents but not across them.

None of this really applies to your award ticket, so I'd simply call back and talk to another agent.[/QUOTE]


good idea. i'll try it. thanks!

back·track (bktrk) KEY

intr.v.
back·tracked , back·track·ing , back·tracks
To go back over the course by which one has come.
To return to a previous point or subject, as in a lecture or discussion.
To reverse one's position or policy.