The pre TR report - the trials and tribulations of booking a RTW

[jhm]

No I was booked on an entirely different flight operated by QF. The 2 airlines will share the same PNR (along with IB if you have any flights with them). I was very tempted to keep the QF flight but ultimately decided upon BA due to better punctuality stats of the BA12 turnaround.

AA has the same COS bonus for every airline - 25%. You get 100% extra if you're PLT/EXP, with the exception of JL flights.

Ah, thanks! Not the same with BAEC where I only got a 50% COS bonus for my BA F flight on a QF flight number rather than 75% if the BA flight number (presumably to take account of BA WT+, i.e. WT+ is 25% and CW is 50%).

Having availability on the same flight but a different flight number is very annoying, e.g. last year, there was availability in D (the *A bucket for a CRW) on the SQ flight with a LH flight number but not on the exact same flight with a SQ flight number (which meant no PPS sectors).

the fact that QF was so rude to me on the phone

Surely just Australian charm and humour ?

[KeithMEL]

Surely just Australian charm and humour ?

The poms were no better...
*ducks*

[jhm]

Over time, I've learnt to re-read KeithMEL's posts a few minutes after I read them for the first time as 9 times out of 10, there are some material edits.

There is no rule (for now) against having no major AA content in the itinerary unless a TA organised the itinerary

I don't understand this point about a TA ?

BTW, your itinerary looks great. The only bits which make me go are the mentions of LAX, LHR (three times no less with two transits!), FCO (from what I've read - never been there) and US Airways.

[KeithMEL]

Over time, I've learnt to re-read KeithMEL's posts a few minutes after I read them for the first time as 9 times out of 10, there are some material edits.

Yeah fickle me. I always edit to include some after thoughts.

edited to add - "oops i did it again."

I don't understand this point about a TA ?

If a pax organised the itinerary, AA wouldn't mind if it had no overwater AA segments.

But if a TA organised the itinerary, AA has the discretion to reject itineraries with zero overwater AA segments. Now I don't know the intricacies of ticketing xONExs via a TA, as it appears that the TA need to contact the issuing carrier for approval/rates when I thought that it can be priced and issued automatically by the TA's own systems. I think the policy, according to the ATW desk, is at least 1 AA overwater segment for TA-organised itineraries. A way to get around it is to book the AA codeshare operated by say, QF or CX, or the AA transatlantic - then endorse to one of the other carriers post-ticketing (if the CX/QF/whatever code is needed for a particular reason). You might be dinged with re-validation fee by that other carrier though.

I'm only transiting at LHR twice. The third time is an actual stopover. I figured being hit by premium APD once is bad enough.
As for US airways - that's LAS-SFO (America West??). They came out cheaper than Ted.

[jjpb3]

Excellent reference material for those of us who might contemplate these RTW thingees, KeithMEL. Great tip about the AA RTW desk. (Oh, expect a bunch of PMs and emails from yours truly some time next year. )

And can't wait for the actual TR.

[9V-JKL]

As for US airways - that's LAS-SFO (America West??). They came out cheaper than Ted.

VX flies that route or will be from 10/10. You might wanna consider it. I probably would if I were you. The TRs so far have shown positive things about them

[9V-JKL]

Paging a RWSTAR guru to come along with RWSTAR rules...

No Guru but here's the rules: http://www.airfares.com.sg/airfares/...rld_Fares1.htm

Some highlights:

• Maximum of 3 stopovers permitted in any one country worldwide except in USA 5 stopovers
• Maximum of 1 stopover permitted in any one city
• The entire journey must not exceed 24 sectors including any subsequent rerouted journey
• Unlimited transfers permitted
• Not more than 3 transfers permitted at any one city
• In the country of origin, not more than 2 domestic transfers per direction & 1 international departure and arrival permitted

[KeithMEL]

VX flies that route or will be from 10/10. You might wanna consider it. I probably would if I were you. The TRs so far have shown positive things about them

Eek - that'd teach me about ticketing side trips too early, especially non-ref tix. Kicking myself now...VX is 30 bucks cheaper in Y, and only about 80 bucks more than my US Y tix for VX F.

Oh well...

[HUGE AL]

Eek - that'd teach me about ticketing side trips too early, especially non-ref tix. Kicking myself now...VX is 30 bucks cheaper in Y, and only about 80 bucks more than my US Y tix for VX F.

Oh well...

What happened there Keith??? I thought you read my TR.

Let me know when you're in Cali so we can go drinking!

[KeithMEL]

What happened there Keith??? I thought you read my TR.

Oh I did but I didn't know that VX will be serving LAS till it's too late.

Let me know when you're in Cali so we can go drinking!

Totally. I'll be in LA FEB3-6 so biro those dates into your diary! I'll be staying near UCLA at the W Westwood.

[HUGE AL]

I'll be staying near UCLA at the W Westwood.

You mean the old UCLA dorms (which is what it was before becoming a hotel)?! Uh-oh...that could be another bad move... Can you change THAT one?

[KeithMEL]

You mean the old UCLA dorms (which is what it was before becoming a hotel)?! Uh-oh...that could be another bad move... Can you change THAT one?

Nope... can't top the 'Whatever/Whenever' experience mate. It's the only reason why I stick with SPG actually. This might sound crazy but I'd rather stay at a regular W room than a suite at the SRegis or LC hotels.

The W Westwood is an all-suite hotel and the rooms look to be of reasonable size. Since you mentioned that it used to be a dorm, I now know why it's all suite as the rooms would've been too tiny otherwise. Plus I hear it's one of the most happening W hotels in the network - hoppin' at night and all.

[HUGE AL]

Nope... can't top the 'Whatever/Whenever' experience mate. It's the only reason why I stick with SPG actually. This might sound crazy but I'd rather stay at a regular W room than a suite at the SRegis or LC hotels.

The W Westwood is an all-suite hotel and the rooms look to be of reasonable size. Since you mentioned that it used to be a dorm, I now know why it's all suite as the rooms would've been too tiny otherwise. Plus I hear it's one of the most happening W hotels in the network - hoppin' at night and all.

Hey man, do what you think is best. But if you read the boards, SPG (which I love as well) is always RIPPED ON for not having one good property in the entire city of LA.

Personally, the W Westwood was the WORST hotel experience I've ever had. Let's not get into the three page letter I wrote the GM (which went completely unanswered ) and then had to escalate it up to the CEO of Starwood. And then there's the funky smell you get from all the people who've partied in your room for decades. Finally, you should know that you cannot control the temperature in your room for more than a 5 - 10 degree F variance. The entire property is on one system that has one temperature.

Don't get me wrong, the public areas rock and are a lot of fun (be sure to tell Kelly [you won't be able to miss her] at the pool that HUGE AL [yes, she does know me by that name] says, "Hello"). Actually, I'll meet you over there...even if you're not staying at the property...

[KeithMEL]

The locations of the SPGs in LA seem rather awkward. Personally I was aiming for something West Hollywood. But hey it's the W, or the W.

Ws seem to have mixed reviews universally because they're not everyone's cup of tea. No different for the W LA. Friends who just came back from LA raved about it though - especially the club and the beautiful crowd. I'm only hoping that I wouldn't worsen any 'funky smells' that already exist for the next occupant.

I am personally sceptical of the negative reviews Ws get on TOF simply because many people stay at a W expecting a bland Hilton/Sheraton/Westin/St Regis experience and look forward to fawning butlers and what not, then proceed to rant about how much they hate the W because they didnt get what they expect. As for the numerous reviews complaining about the W LA being turned into a nightclub - puhleese, that's what make a W so fab!

And since the W Sunset Strip isn't going to be ready for a while I guess I'll have to stick to Westwood.

[9V-JKL]

KeithMEL, since you like Ws so much how about buying one
http://www.welcometowhotels.com/residences/