First-class airfare almost never goes on sale. But on multi-legged international flights, you can spend much less for first class seats with so-called "round-the-world" tickets from the major airlines.
Round-the-world tickets require that you circumnavigate the globe and have stopovers on at least two other continents, among other restrictions. Yet when you compare their price with the cost of buying a series of one-way first-class tickets, the savings are quickly apparent.
For example, a first-class round-the-world trip ticket from the Star Alliance airline consortium recently sold for about $7,000, with stops in London, Berlin, Istanbul, Peru and Bangkok. By contrast, British Airways recently offered a first class round trip ticket between only Los Angeles and London for $7,290.
In 2003, Jon Posner, vice president of a New York City real estate management business, took a round-the-world itinerary in first class. He was treated to full first-class service, including seats that folded out into beds and what he calls "human-sized pillows." Says Posner: "My trans-Pacific flight was a big long argument with the flight attendant over how I didn't need any more caviar." Plus, he says for every 100 miles he flew he earned about 250 frequent flier miles because of his first-class status, which will earn him several free upgrades from economy class on future international flights.
Get a jump start
You can net an even bigger discount on first class round-the-world fares if you start your ticket's itinerary outside of the United States. While this strategy requires paying a one-way ticket to your starting destination, the savings you realize can outweigh the cost of the extra ticket.
That's what John Axline of Glendora, Calif., learned when he, his wife and son embarked on a five-week round-the-world journey. The Axlines paid $1,800 each to fly from California to Egypt, then began their first-class round-the-world itinerary, priced at $5,000 per person. Had they started their itinerary in the U.S., they would have paid $7,900 per person for first-class accommodations throughout the trip. They saved about $1,100 per person by "starting" their trip abroad.
The vagaries of supply and demand, as well as currency fluctuations, mean that the same seats sell for less when the round-the-world trips start abroad. Axline reserved his ticket through American Airlines's reservation number (800-433-7300), then arrived in Cairo with credit card in hand and picked up the tickets at the airport. "It's a screaming bargain," Axline says.
American is not the only airline whose round-the-world tickets can be bought at cheaper prices if you are willing to start your itinerary at an overseas stop. Through The Great Escapade, Virgin Atlantic, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines recently offered a $1,900 economy-class round-the-world ticket for a four-stopover itinerary originating in London.
Prices for fares and other expenses rise depending on the seasonal popularity of your destinations and the number of stopovers you make. Keep in mind that fees for taxes and airport charges are extra and can add hundreds of dollars to your trip.
GETTING STARTED
