Add CategoryIT’S something many of us have long dreamt about — packing it all in and heading off on an adventure to the far corners of the world.
From the wondrous ancient sites in Peru to the luxurious beaches in Bora Bora or the hustle and bustle of New York — there’s so much out there waiting to be explored.
But the reality of life often gets in the way — not to mention the expense. Plus such a trip seems complicated to plan.
But it turns out there’s an airline ticket fee people know about that could save you heaps on that life-changing adventure. And it’s not something you will be able to find on your own, you’ll need the help of a travel agent.
That’s according to Ian Paterson, a travel consultant and blogger at Resfeber Travel, who set off on his own around-the-world (RTW) trip in 2010 from the UK through Australia and Asia.
“These tickets are extremely hard to do on your own,” Mr Paterson told Travel + Leisure. “It’s not like booking a normal flight. You can’t go online and book it yourself.”
Mr Paterson, who booked his year-long trip through Qantas, says it’s crucial to find a good travel agent. His helped plan the best route and advised how long to stay in each location, including things to do and see.
RTW tickets are usually offered by an alliance of airlines, for example there’s Oneworld Alliance (includes Qantas, British Airways, American Airlines and Cathay Pacific), or SkyTeam (AirFrance, Korean Air, Delta).
Purchasing through an alliance allows travellers to book flexible, long-term travel much cheaper than if they buy individual flights.
You can even score a RTW ticket from around $2000, Mr Paterson claims. It will vary depending on date of travel and the number of stops and the lowest booking class possible.
“I arrived into Australia in early December during my trip and avoided the Christmas rush, saving hundreds of pounds in the lowest booking class for round the world tickets which quickly sell out from mid-December on.”
However, a word of warning to those who often miss flights or run late — this isn’t the ticket for you.
If you miss one leg of the ticket, the entire rest of the trip is cancelled. Ouch.
You can read more about how to score a cheap RTW ticket on his website.