The Best Round-the-World Ticket?

Last Updated: 22 Jan 2009

The recession has sparked a mass movement of recently-made-redundant, out-of-work or just plain bored-of-work people who have seized the opportunity to go and travel, live or work abroad.

Applications and enquiries for all manner of foreign travels have risen, from VSO to ski instructor’s courses, from working visas for Australia, to teaching English jobs in Japan.

Buying a round-the-world ticket (RTW), can be quite a bewildering experience. Fortunately, at Skyscanner, we know some friendly agents from leading travel companies who have sat down and explained the various options available to the world traveller as well as providing their recommendation for the best ticket.

What is a round-the-world ticket?
This is a ticket that allows you multiple stops as you complete a journey (probably using a variety of carriers) around the planet.

Which destinations can I travel to?
There are thousands of possible routes you can take so the best thing to do is find a site with a tool to help you calculate your journey and see where you fancy going. Most of the alliances provide this service, though some are easier to navigate round than others. Great Escapade offer a fairly intuitive example.

Can I take an unlimited number of flights within one ticket?
Your route is calculated in two ways: either it is based on the total number of miles you intend flying or it is based on the number of continents you wish to visit. If your proposed journey exceeds the number of miles allowed by the ticket, then you can purchase extra miles or you can buy a different ticket which allows a greater amount of travel.

Do I have to go in one direction?
Not necessarily. Going back on yourself, will use up valuable miles though and even if you travel independently ie. overland (known as a surface sector) this is still likely to be factored in to the total number of miles you have travelled and maybe considered a segment stop as well.

When is the cheapest time to travel?
Unlike most airline seats which are sensitive to price fluctuations depending on the time of year, RTW fares tend remain relatively consistent (there are exceptions though). If you are looking for the cheapest possible ticket then generally, the best time to depart is between late April and mid June.

Can I buy extra miles?
If your proposed journey exceeds the number of miles allowed by the ticket, then you can purchase extra miles or you can buy a different ticket which allows a greater amount of travel. For example, the World Journey fare allows you to purchase a ticket with up to 40,000 miles of travel available.

How long are the tickets valid for?
Most of them are valid for one year from the date of the first flight shown on the ticket.

Are there restrictions on my ticket?
This will vary with the type of ticket you have purchased but some fares have a “minimum stay” clause of anything up to two weeks which is designed to deter business travellers from taking advantage of lower fares.

Can I change my travel dates?
Yes you can though in some instances you may need to pay a supplement.

Do I need an onward ticket before landing in some countries?
Yes. Travellers should check with their travel agents which countries require proof of a ticket for departure.

Should I deal directly with the airlines?
If you do this, you are probably only going to get information about that particular airline’s routes and schedules. In order to complete a round-the-world journey involving more than a few stops, you are going to have to use different carriers, which is why airline alliances have been established.  You can also speak to travel advisor for further information who will often offer you a broad range of options.

What airline alliances offer RTW tickets?
There are a number of groups of airlines which offer these fares. Details of some of the more popular ones are shown below:

World Discovery / Plus - based on miles. You can make up to 7 stops.
• British Airways
• Qantas
• Australian Airways
• Cathay Pacific on some selected routes

One World Explorer - based on the number of continents you visit. You can take up to 20 flights.
• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Finnair
• Iberia
• Japan Airlines
• Lan
• Malev
• Qantas
• Royal Jordanian

Star Alliance - mileage based and you can make up to 15 stops.
• Air Adria 
• Air Canada
• Air New Zealand
• ANA
• Asiana Airlines
• Austrian Airlines
• Bmi
• Croatia Airlines
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Scandinavian Airlines
• Shanghai Airlines 
• Singapore Airlines
• South African Airways
• Spanair
• Swiss
• TAP Portugal
• Thai Airways International
• United Airlines
• US Airways

World Walkabout – mileage based with up to six stops.
• British Airways
• Qantas 

Great Escapade - mileage based with unlimited stops.
• Silk Air 
• Singapore Airlines
• Virgin
• Air New Zealand

The Global Explorer – mileage based with up to 16 stops.
• Aer Lingus
• Air Pacific
• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Dragonair
• Finnair
• Gulf Air 
• Iberia
• Jalways
• Japan Airlines (JAL) 
• Japan Asia Airways
• Lan Airlines
• Lan Argentina
• Lan Ecuador 
• Lan Peru
• Malev
• Qantas
• Royal Jordanian

World Journey - based on miles with up to 10 stops.
• Air Caledonie
• Air Europa
• Air Pacific
• Air Tahiti Nui
• Air Vanuatu
• Alaska Airlines
• Continental Airlines
• Copa Airlines
• Emirates
• Jet Airways
• Kenya Airways
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
• Malev
• Malaysia Airlines
• Northwest Airlines
• South African Airways
• SriLankan Airlines

Which is the best?
If you feel confused after reading that lot, then join the…alliance.  I asked William Thompson, an experienced travel agent, for his take on the best ticket at the moment.  This is what he had to say:

“Basically the Escapade – www.thegreatescapade.com will still come out as the best price and they band it into 8 various prices throughout the year.  The best price is 16 Jan until 20 Apr at £1000 plus about £350 tax.  The airlines are Virgin, Silk Air, Singapore and Air NZ – 29,000 miles as many stops as you can do and you can buy extra miles for about £100 per 1,500 miles. 

There are no flights within Australia (but there is Virgin Blue and Qantas there should people require them) and no flights to South America either.

Next best would be the only airline that does a RTW itself – Air New Zealand.  Priced at £700, availability can be limited and it only stops in Hong Kong or LA.

Then I’d recommend the World Walkabout with Qantas and BA - about £1,000 all-in at the cheapest time.  Then there is the OneWorld Explorer and the Global Explorer but you’re then looking at not much change from £2,000 – there’s no peak season for that one and world’s your oyster.

The Star Alliance is similar but without an Australian airline. It gets you there and away but no domestic flights. However, it does get you to South America.

Finally there is a mishmash from KLM/Emirates/Kenyan and various others that is pricey but gives you everything bar Australian domestics. It’s called the YRWW in the trade but I think KLM call it the Passport to the World – it used to be called the KLM Journey/Navigator/World Discovery!”