I'm travelling in April SYD-LAX-FRA-HKG-SYD in J. Has anyone used the oneworld website for round the world bookings? Any tips on th emost cost effective method to book?
I would talk to a travel agent that specializes in RTW travel.. Using sites like OW and *A often offers you prices that make your eyes water. Airlines often have specials on RTW packages - eg Finnair, LH group - that are significantly cheaper than "rack-rate" from alliance agrregation sites.
I would talk to a travel agent that specializes in RTW travel.. Using sites like OW and *A often offers you prices that make your eyes water. Airlines often have specials on RTW packages - eg Finnair, LH group - that are significantly cheaper than "rack-rate" from alliance agrregation sites.
Thanks asw- I've just contacted an agent as the rack-rate on the OW website is horrific!
The oneworld RTW booking tool only books one type of RTW trip, the oneworld explorer (xONEx). The ex AU prices can be fairly excessive (which is why lots of people tend to start their RTWs from elsewhere like Korea, Japan or South Africa).
The RTW booking link on the QF website sends you to the oneworld tool with QF branding.
There are other RTW products that the airlines set up themselves, but they don't tend to be as flexible as the alliance tickets.
Ex- Australia your best bet is to go on the website of an offline carrier, e.g. Finnair, Austrian, Swiss or Lufthansa and use their multi-city itinerary planner. You can also use Skyscanner as part of the research.
Last week I found Austrian RTW Business Class for less than AUD 8,000. LH was even cheaper but you have to add on a Transcon USA fare if travelling back from NYC. A savvy travel agent is useful because it can take hours to scan all the options yourself.
One more tip: once you've agreed an itinerary and a fare, get your agent to book using your credit card direct with the lead airline [they take AMEX] whereas if you pay the agent you'll be up for at least 2% in credit card fees.
Use an agent - I really recommend Roundabout travel.I picked up a Star Alliance RTW fare for less than $6k. Oneworld options include Finnair from ~$5500, Cathay from ~$9000 and Qantas from apparently $10,000. Though I saw Qantas fares for about $7k when I was booking last year, but Finnair can include Qantas legs too. They also do NOT charge a fee for Amex.
Fare prices can vary widely depending on even the slightest change of cities, dates, airline on a particular leg etc. It can be extremely difficult to match them yourself.
Use an agent - I really recommend Roundabout travel.I picked up a Star Alliance RTW fare for less than $6k. Oneworld options include Finnair from ~$5500, Cathay from ~$9000 and Qantas from apparently $10,000. Though I saw Qantas fares for about $7k when I was booking last year, but Finnair can include Qantas legs too. They also do NOT charge a fee for Amex.
Fare prices can vary widely depending on even the slightest change of cities, dates, airline on a particular leg etc. It can be extremely difficult to match them yourself.
Seconded for Roundabout travel. Both for price, and service.
mikeh
mikeh
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Mar 2015
Total posts 11
I'm travelling in April SYD-LAX-FRA-HKG-SYD in J. Has anyone used the oneworld website for round the world bookings? Any tips on th emost cost effective method to book?
silentiger86
silentiger86
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Dec 2017
Total posts 90
If using points to redeem flights, use Qantas multi-city search tool and NOT Oneworld round the world search engine.
asw
asw
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 08 Aug 2012
Total posts 11
I would talk to a travel agent that specializes in RTW travel.. Using sites like OW and *A often offers you prices that make your eyes water. Airlines often have specials on RTW packages - eg Finnair, LH group - that are significantly cheaper than "rack-rate" from alliance agrregation sites.
mikeh
mikeh
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Mar 2015
Total posts 11
Thanks asw- I've just contacted an agent as the rack-rate on the OW website is horrific!
Himeno
Himeno
Member since 12 Dec 2012
Total posts 295
The oneworld RTW booking tool only books one type of RTW trip, the oneworld explorer (xONEx). The ex AU prices can be fairly excessive (which is why lots of people tend to start their RTWs from elsewhere like Korea, Japan or South Africa).
The RTW booking link on the QF website sends you to the oneworld tool with QF branding.
There are other RTW products that the airlines set up themselves, but they don't tend to be as flexible as the alliance tickets.
phil h
phil h
Member since 06 Mar 2017
Total posts 8
phil h
phil h
Member since 06 Mar 2017
Total posts 8
One more tip: once you've agreed an itinerary and a fare, get your agent to book using your credit card direct with the lead airline [they take AMEX] whereas if you pay the agent you'll be up for at least 2% in credit card fees.
Dredgy
Dredgy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Apr 2017
Total posts 180
Use an agent - I really recommend Roundabout travel.I picked up a Star Alliance RTW fare for less than $6k. Oneworld options include Finnair from ~$5500, Cathay from ~$9000 and Qantas from apparently $10,000. Though I saw Qantas fares for about $7k when I was booking last year, but Finnair can include Qantas legs too. They also do NOT charge a fee for Amex.
MRYJDrake
MRYJDrake
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 31 Oct 2016
Total posts 206
Seconded for Roundabout travel. Both for price, and service.
mikeh
mikeh
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Mar 2015
Total posts 11
Thanks everyone for the advice!