News

More RTW opportunities

13 Apr 2006 by business traveller

New air services and alliance members are increasing the usefulness of RTW (round-the-world) tickets. These are special tariffs allowing globetrotters to save money on the normal fare provided they obey some ticketing rules and restrict their travel to a select number of carriers.

Last month Virgin Atlantic launched direct services between London Heathrow and Dubai. This move is likely to make the Great Escapade RTW ticket (jointly marketed by Virgin, SIA and Air New Zealand) more popular as it allows travellers to break their journey in Dubai on the way to Asia and Australasia.

The Great Escapade ticket's appeal will be increased further next October when Air New Zealand begins flying from London to Hong Kong (see Online news, April 6). Currently travellers buying this ticket can only reach Hong Kong by taking SIA via Singapore which is a somewhat roundabout routing.

But passengers buying the Star Alliance ticket (in which 19 carriers now participate) who qualify for a multitude of new options. Recently SIA began flying from Moscow to Dubai which means that Star customers can now include the Russian capital when flying between Europe and the Gulf. Previously an awkward backtrack into Europe would have been needed. And later this year ANZ's arrival on the key London-Hong Kong route (see above) will provide Star members with direct flights on this key service.

New members have further boosted the ticket's appeal. Swiss offers an alternative gateway to Europe while SAA gives the ability to include South Africa plus other regional destinations on the circuit.

For more information go to thegreatescapade.com, staralliance.com

Report by Alex McWhirter

Loading comments...

Search Flight

See a whole year of Reward Seat Availability on one page at SeatSpy.com

Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Be up-to-date
Magazine Subscription
To see our latest subscription offers for Business Traveller editions worldwide, click on the Subscribe & Save link below
Polls