The Star Alliance network has expanded its offer to globetrotters through the introduction of four additional Round the World (RTW) fare levels. Customers can now choose from a total of 14 RTW fares; three for travel in First Class, four for travel in Business Class and seven for travel in Economy Class.
The most significant change is that for Economy Class the applicable fare is now determined through a combination of total number of stops and total mileage used. The best price option is the one which allows customers to travel for a maximum of 26,000 miles and make anywhere between three and five stops. Up to now, the higher mileage levels in Economy Class – 29,000, 34,000 or 39,000 miles – allowed a maximum of 15 stops.
With the introduction of the new fare levels, customers can now select fewer stops in return for a lower price. For example, a traveller using a 29,000 mileage RTW ticket can now opt to make only seven stops and hence save 10 per cent on average. Travel in Business Class has been made even more attractive, with passengers now being able to select a lower fare covering up to 26,000 miles. This is in addition to the already existing fare levels of 29,000, 34,000 or 39,000 miles which will continue to be offered. The number of stops allowed also remains unchanged for all Business Class RTW fare levels, with a minimum of three to a maximum of 15 stops.
Travellers wishing to fly in First Class can continue to select between the 29,000, 34,000 and 39,000 fare levels. To put the mileage levels in perspective, the circumference of the Earth measured at the Equator is approximately 24,901 miles. The fare levels offered allow the customer to select the mileage requirement which best suits their personal travel needs. Actual fares vary by market and, in general, offer better value for money than purchasing individual one-way tickets on separate airlines to cover the same itinerary.
Children between the age of two and 11 pay 75 per cent of the applicable adult fare, while infants under two who do not occupy a seat can be taken along for 10 per cent of the applicable adult fare.
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