Buying a round-the-world ticket is not as simple as it used to be. In fact, multi-country trips have become more complicated than ever, and the travel aficionado will need to plan well in advance to get the most bang for their buck.
The RTW is a great way to explore the world, but there are plenty of ways to save money. For instance, mid-week flights are often less expensive than their weekend counterparts. This is also true if you can book your trip around a major holiday. Likewise, it may be wise to tag on a few days in a destination if you can.
The best way to do this is to use an airline alliance. Typically, these airline alliances are made up of a number of different airlines, which allows you to pay for your tickets in one place. You will also find that most of these airline alliances offer ticket holders the ability to collect points that can be used on future trips. In fact, most airline alliances will let you accumulate enough points to redeem a free round-the-world ticket.
The best way to do this is by booking your round-the-world ticket through a single airline alliance, such as one of the following. In this case, you will find that the benefits of doing so are multiplied by the fact that you are paying for flights on one carrier rather than numerous different ones. The same is true for hotels, which are often priced cheaper on a multi-country ticket. Aside from saving money on your airfare, you’ll also be able to find more room in your luggage, which is a big plus if you’re traveling with a family or group.
Another trick to traveling around the world for the price of one is to pick destinations that are closer together than you would think. For example, if you’re flying from Moscow to Perth, it makes sense to fly through Cairns. Then again, if you’re flying from Moscow back to Moscow, you’ll probably be looking at a pretty long layover. You may also want to consider flying into the oh-so-stylish city of Beijing. The city’s sights and sounds are worth a visit in and of themselves, and you’ll likely find a few good restaurants on the way.
The best way to do this is via an airline alliance, such as one of the following: Skyteam, OneWorld or Qatar Airways. These airline alliances are made up of a group of major airlines, which allow you to pay for your airfare in one place, which is a big plus if your budget is on the tight side. For example, Qatar Airways is the world’s largest airline, with a fleet of over 200 aircraft and a network of over 40 countries. In addition, these airline alliances have a myriad of other benefits to offer, such as complimentary seat upgrades, complimentary luggage, and more.