Getting Value from a RTW business class fare

[Ozzy-Don]

Hello folks!

Most of my flying has been simple return flights but we're planning a "big trip" using a RTW fare and it’s much more complicated than what I am used to and I want to maximise the value I receive from the business class fare.

I think I could use some advice from the many knowledgeable posters on this site.

We will be flying out in mid May.

We intend to go with One World partners through MEL-LAX-MSY-SEA-YYZ-LHR-ARN-HEL-LED-SIN-MEL. We will be going business class. Most flights seem to be with Qantas, AA, BA and Finnair. The trip is for about 8 weeks in length.

Our current Q FF status is negligible (bronze) and we don't have QC memberships.

1. We have a few AA domestic flights and they don't appear to have business class. Do we get any concessions for the higher fare or do just get treated equally with economy?

2. Do we get any lounge access privileges in OZ or in other countries?

3. Is there anything I can do to maximise FF points from this trip? I note that the points you get vary with a range of factors.

4. Any general advice for maximising value from the business class fares!

Hope you have a few minutes to help me out - Thanks!

[odoherty]

1/ AA domestic flights rarely have business class. With this ticket, you get to book in First.

2/ As business travellers, you get to access Oneworld business class lounges

3/ Try and fly as many miles as possible! Also, if you are travelling on an airline other than QF,AA or BA (you note Finnair) - see if the flight is also offered as a codeshare - book on QF,AA or BA codeshare (for status bonus, which you will get once you are silver, gold or platinum)

4/ If you have any left over sectors, book these as domestic sectors for use here in Aus - you can do this by not returning back to departure city straight away - rather, fly to a nearby city and book a red edeal. Then later, fly back to the previous city and then continue - but you only get one more stopover

This MAY help you save a few bucks in the process-
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/disc...pic.php?t=1945

[Dave Noble]

Originally Posted by odoherty

2/ As business travellers, you get to access Oneworld business class lounges

Not quite true. When travelling within North America on AA, lounge access is not offered unless travelling internationally that calendar day. In other places, the business class ticket should afford lounge access

If you have no status currently and you wish to maximise the mileage earning value , then I would suggest opening an AA AAdvantage account signing up for a Platinum Challenge ( see thread on Your Tips about the challenge ) and credit miles for the flight to this account. Your mileage earning will be higher than if credited to QF and the points required for an award are lower. Your 1st flight (MEL-LAX) will complete the challenge on its own.

If you are using the One World Explorer fare, do consider adding a domestic trip within Australia before starting; you are allowed upt to 4 sectors in Australia and 2 stopovers; if you do the trip before you go to LAX, then you could do MEL-?-MEL with a stopover in ? and another in MEL. If you want to do a trip later in the year, buy a MEL-SYD cheapie ticket and start the ATW from SYD. This will mean that you have 4 sectors and 1 stopover to get to SYD from MEL.

Dave

[NM]

Originally Posted by odoherty

4/ If you have any left over sectors, book these as domestic sectors for use here in Aus - you can do this by not returning back to departure city straight away - rather, fly to a nearby city and book a red edeal. Then later, fly back to the previous city and then continue - but you only get one more stopover

No need to route via another city. With OneWorld Explorer, you can return through the departure city and continue on to take your full complement of 4 flights and 2 stopovers in the continent of origin. However, you cannot come back to Australia and then go to NZ with your 4 sectors/2 stopovers since there is another rules which states only one international departure and one international arrival in the country of origin.

The rule about the itinerary ending when you return to the starting point was withdrawn from the OneWorld Explorer rules about November 2004. Its a great way to keep a spare domestic trip up your sleeve for up to a year.

[Kiwi Flyer]

Originally Posted by NM

No need to route via another city. With OneWorld Explorer, you can return through the departure city and continue on to take your full complement of 4 flights and 2 stopovers in the continent of origin. However, you cannot come back to Australia and then go to NZ with your 4 sectors/2 stopovers since there is another rules which states only one international departure and one international arrival in the country of origin.

The rule about the itinerary ending when you return to the starting point was withdrawn from the OneWorld Explorer rules about November 2004. Its a great way to keep a spare domestic trip up your sleeve for up to a year.

But no good for those starting and ending in NZ (unless you are on a LONEx any domestic legs at start/end are a waste, and even on LONEx are not good value).

[NM]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer

But no good for those starting and ending in NZ

You do have a choice

Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer

(unless you are on a LONEx any domestic legs at start/end are a waste, and even on LONEx are not good value).

But the extra sectors are "free" (so long as you don't exceed the toal limit of 20 for the ticket), so the only cost is the fuel fines, so all the more reason to book through the AA RTW desk if you get that option (sadly I do not have that option). So it can still be good value, even for NZ domestic, in that its something for almost nothing.

[Kiwi Flyer]

Originally Posted by NM

You do have a choice

Not really. The *A RTW specifically excludes NZ domestic flights when originating in NZ (even transfers to international)

Originally Posted by NM

But the extra sectors are "free" (so long as you don't exceed the toal limit of 20 for the ticket), so the only cost is the fuel fines, so all the more reason to book through the AA RTW desk if you get that option (sadly I do not have that option). So it can still be good value, even for NZ domestic, in that its something for almost nothing.

But I get far more value out of using the sectors internationally, and paying separately for NZ domestic.

[NM]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer

Not really. The *A RTW specifically excludes NZ domestic flights when originating in NZ (even transfers to international) /quote]
Not what I had in mind!

Its your choice to be based in the LOTNBCC.

But I get far more value out of using the sectors internationally, and paying separately for NZ domestic.

Even on DONE4s I have struggled to use my quota of 20 sectors without adding some local domestic flights. I generally use my 6 USA segments and 4 Europe segments, but rarely all my Asia segmengts.

[Kiwi Flyer]

6 NA
4 EU
1 SWP-NA
1 NA-EU
1 EU-Asia
1 Asia-SWP
= plenty spare for SWP.

But ex-NZ can only use 2 between Oz-NZ (due to restriction on leaving country of origin for 2nd time).

6 NA
4 EU
1 SWP-NA
1 NA-EU
1 EU-Asia
2 or 4 Asia
1 Asia-SWP
2 SWP (NZ-Oz)
= 0 or 2 Oz domestic