RTW myths broken!

To help you speed up your planning process, here are some of the RTW myths shattered:

1) Backtracking is allowed - but only on certain tickets. This is normally for transiting purposes but can be included on such tickets as the OneWorld, Star Alliance and World Navigator if it keeps within the mileage or permitted number of stops rulings. This only means that you can backtrack within certain regions though, e.g.:

London - Tokyo - Hong Kong - Bangkok - Bombay - Singapore - Sydney and so on....

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2) Flying from the Americas to OZ/NZ is a common problem when it comes to putting people's plans into reality. So far there are only 4 major 'gateways' (or flight access points). These are as follows:

  • Los Angeles - Sydney/Auckland

  • Vancouver - Sydney/Auckland (via Hawaii)

  • Santiago - Sydney/Auckland (via Tahiti)

  • Buenos Aries - Sydney/Auckland

This means that if your planned destination is Central America or northern South America you will either have to pay for an extra internal flight or make your own way overland.

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3) Linking Africa and India/SE Asia is only feasible on certain tickets such as the Star Alliance, Navigator and the Global Explorer ticket. This is due to the airline's networks or flight routes. Access points are as follows:

  • Nairobi - Asia (via Dubai or direct to Bombay)

  • Jo'burg - Asia

  • Harare - Asia (limited)

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4) Open tickets are not really as open as you think. All RTW tickets must have the route sorted before you depart and will also have specific dates printed. This doesn't mean, however, that you will not be able to change these en-route. Dates are usually totally flexible but changes to the route usually incur a small charge (about £50)

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5) Changing the name on the ticket is NOT allowed. If you decide you do not want to complete the trip you can not change the name on the ticket to someone else's which means you are unable to sell it.

 

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