Cheap scheme to get an Around-the-World ticket! - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**omisan** · 07-28-2004, 03:08 PM

Ok, I need to get to Australia next year, and now I'm thinking it might be a great way to cap off a 'round the world trip. Only catch is, you need to earn your points by flying into/out of the Washington, D.C. area, which can be a bit of a hassle, but this could very well be worthwhile:

Earn a free* trip around the world

I'm seriously considering doing this. Anyone wanna join me for a few days of flying back and forth between DC and some nearby destination? I figure it'll cost somewhere around $1500-$2000 to do this, based on UAL's requirements, which is a huge savings off a typical around-the-world ticket.

**joanofarc** · 07-28-2004, 03:23 PM

nice smile!

**omisan** · 07-28-2004, 03:30 PM

Rmmm.. thanks! Now if only I can parlay that into a dozen little United flights...

**Canadian Dude** · 07-29-2004, 01:14 PM

JOA

That looks like a real interesting deal...Might really be worth the effort if y can pull it off.

**Sijuki** · 07-29-2004, 04:12 PM

That sounds great, but I don't know that I could do that before April 30, 2005... perhaps an international flight.

So how much does it cost to fly from baltimore to Washington, D.C.?

That is definately interesting.

**Wyzfen** · 07-29-2004, 10:01 PM

Do you actually have to make the domestic flights ? or just have purchased the tickets ?

If you dont have to fly, you could just buy enough consecutive tickets to get your freebie

**omisan** · 07-29-2004, 10:15 PM

Unfortunately, Washinton is only minutes away from Baltimore, so that won't fly. I'm looking at doing a series of Washington/New York trips...

And no, you actually have to get on the flights for them to count. Otherwise, yeah - I'd just buy 12 tickets for the cheapest flight, not go, and be done with it for about $1296

It's jsut the domestic part you have to complete by April 30, 2005 - The around the world ticket is good 'til the end of the year...

**TheJake** · 07-29-2004, 10:17 PM

how much does a RTW normally cost????

**omisan** · 07-29-2004, 11:06 PM

I think they typically go for around $9000.. this one's cool because although it's one direction with no backtracking, it's unlimited mileage otherwise, so you can go as far north and south, zigzagging as you please. It seems crazy every time I think about it, but considering the cost and the few days' effort required, I'm getting more pscyched on doing it

**zylah** · 07-29-2004, 11:16 PM

rtw's in oz are around $3000 aus, which shouel be around $2000US

**Wyzfen** · 07-29-2004, 11:46 PM

the round-the-worlds they advertise in australia for $3000 are really only 3 stops:
australia->america->europe->australia.

it sounds like the one omisan is looking at is a little different

OzzieElmo · 09-17-2004, 01:13 AM

The 'REAL' RTW are around AU6000+ from what I have found out...
The one I chose was about AU2200 includin taxes and I travel from Sydney to Vancouver (via Honolulu) then to Frankfurt, London (or any European City of my choice), Frankfurt, HongKong, Bankok, or Thailand, then back to Brisbane.
That was with Luftansa.
So even this isnt a real RTW, but it gets me to all the palces I want to or can get easy access to, plus I am a virgin solo traveller, so will be a good first time