Around The World Airfares explained

Everyone these days is looking for a deal.Especially when it comes to air travel. While most travellers are well aware of the many low-cost bargains available to an increasing number of short-haul destinations, round-the-world fares,two-for-one and companion offers, and regional airpasses are among the cost-saving options for globetrotting business travellers who are prepared to shop around. Big savings are possible on special RTW fares, which all three global alliances offer on a year round basis, plus various airpasses. Companion fares, which are generally two-for-one offers based on a full fare, are usually seasonal promotions designed to help fill empty off-peak seats on specific routes.

Discounted first and business class fares are also often available with non-direct carriers or through consolidators, undercutting point-to-point tariffs. Anyone planning a multi-sector business trip to a region or specific country should check out what passes are available. The 16-member Star Alliance, for example, offers a range of airpasses to Asia, the South Pacific, Europe and North America, as well as single country passes for Brazil, Japan and Thailand, ideal if you need to visit two or more destinations.

In addition to Asia, Europe and North America, Oneworld, whose members include American
Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas, also markets passes to South America,
and Australia and New Zealand. European and North American passes are offered by SkyTeam,
which comprises nine airlines, including Air France/KLM, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines
and Northwest. Airlines offering two-for-one companion tickets
include Middle East and Asian carriers, which also market attractive stopover deals. As these tend to be seasonal rather than year-round, it is always worth checking to see what is available.

Invariably, special fares come with conditions –minimum or maximum stay restrictions, or the
number of stopovers permitted. Airpasses are invariably sold in conjunction with an international return ticket, while country-specific passes are not generally available to nationals of those countries.

Who offers what

SkyTeam
Member airlines: AeroMexico, Air France/KLM, Alitalia, Continental Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, Northwest Airlines Round-the-world: choice of four RTW tickets for circling the globe, with a network that covers 684 destinations in 133 countries.
Europe Pass: allows customers who purchase a transatlantic or intercontinental ticket to Europe also to buy three or more one-way intra-European flight segments at reduced fares.
America Pass: similar facility for those travelling to North America, either across the Atlantic or ona trans-Pacific routing.

Oneworld
Member airlines: Aer Lingus, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific,
Finnair, Iberia, LAN, QantasCircle Trip Explorer: round-the-world fare combines interlocking route networks coveringaround 600 destinations in 135 countries. Fare is based on the number of continents visited orpassed through (including the continent of origin)and the class of travel.
Circle Pacific: for multi sector journeys aroundthe Pacific region. Available only for travel
originating and terminating in Asia (Hong Kong,Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Korea, Singapore,Taiwan); Southwest Pacific (Australia,New Zealand); North America (US, Canada);
and South America. Price depends on thecountry where journey begins and ends, the class of travel and mileage. Visit Asia: available to those from outside the region, with access to 22 cities in 13 countries. Visit Australia & New Zealand: includes more than 50 cities, including the main gateways.Visit Europe: Oneworld members serve 60cities, including seven major gateways, in over45 countries.Visit North America: access to 200 cities in 25countries, including all Oneworld gateways suchas Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, LosAngeles, Miami, New York,Raleigh/Durham,San Jose, California, San Juan, Puerto Rico,Seattle and St. Louis.
Visit South America: pass includes access to34 cities in 10 countries.

Star Alliance
Member airlines: Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana, Austrian, BMI, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, TAP Portugal, Thai, United, US Airways, Varig Round the World fare: thousands of itineraryoptions, with as many as 15 free stopovers, usingany combination of Star Alliance member airlines up to a distance of 39,000 miles. Circle Asia: provides up to six months travel –and up to 15,000 or 18,000 miles – to 17 countries in Asia and the southwest Pacific. Travel must start and finish in the same country, with a maximum of 18 sectors permissable. European Airpass: three- to 10-flight coupons for travel across 41 countries. Fixed-rate couponprice based on distance flown.
North American Airpass: three to 10 coupons available for travel throughout Canada, Mexico,
the US, Bermuda and the Caribbean. South Pacific Airpass: up to 10 coupons available for travel throughout the region for Star Alliance travellers arriving in New Zealand,Australia, CookIslands, Western Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, New Caledonia, Tahiti or Norfolk Island who
are a non-resident of any of the countries. Brazilian Airpass: available in four- and ninecoupon
options with access to 36 destinations. A nine-coupon itinerary could cover more than
13,000 miles of travel over a 21-day period. Japan Airpass: two to five fixed-price coupons
for travel throughout Japan, regardless of distance flown. Thailand Airpass: between four and eightcoupons available, with access to 14 destinations
within the country.

For More information and to Check an Itinerary call Select World Travel on 01684 577007 or e-mail to enquiries@selectworldtravel.co.uk