V-Flyer

Does anybody know what happened to the G.E website????

You used to be able to plan a route on the site, it would know applicable airlines/timings and calculate the mileages for you.....

Presume it has been shut down??? Can anyone shed any light on what happened, cannot find it on any search engine???

Try:-

westernair.co.uk/rtwgreatescapades.html

Hiya

The GE site has been down for a very long time. Originally it closed for redevelopment as there gave been changes in regards to prices, conditions and ticketing. I thought it was supposed to be back up by now, so im not sure whats going on there, but you can still book the GE through many different travel agents and sources.

There is a good route planner on the Travelbag website (http://www.travelbag.co.uk É take a look at the planner advertised in the blue box towards the bottom of the page) It calculates the miles for you and can work on all of the RTW tickets (One World, Star Alliance etc) so may be worth having a look at?

I have found some inconsistencies in the planner, but itÕs a good enough tool to get an idea whilst you are still in the planning stage.

HTH?

Certainly does help, Thankyou very much Sarah.....

I used Travelbag when I did my own Great Escapade last year. If you need any help or advice feel free to ask. There are also a few other members who have done the RTW thing, so it might be worth doing a search (link at the top of the page) and having a read through some of the previous RTW/GE threads if you have not dont so already as there is a wealth of information on the boards about both subjects (although obviously each persons trip is different)

Have fun planning your trip!

Looks like its back up again

The Great Escapade

Just got an email from VA about the new one, something to do with 29,000 airmiles and money

Im looking at doing the great escapade after my placement ends in september '07. Will be going econ and as a student will be looking at cheap hotels. My provisional routing would be LHR-HKG-SDY-MEL-AUK-LAX-NYC-LHR. I have a few questions:

1) i have looked at prices what happens if your dates fall within two price brackets, i guess you get charged at teh higher rate.

2a) does anyone know of any cheap hotels that are safe. As long as they are safe and clean and good location im not that bothered.

b) Is there any sort of package deal that if you book all 6 hotels at once you get a better rate or something.

3) General planning advice, ie ways of working out how much money ill need per day to survive etc.

Many Thanks

Tom

Hi Tom

Firstly, its a big exercise planning a RTW ... Do you know how long you want to be away for?

Take a look at my post on the Great Escapade i did a few years back for some background info and tips. You'll want to research as much as you can, Milliemoo also did a Great Escapade, i'll try and dig hers out too.

Not sure on the price brackets. Safe hotels - any of the major chains should be fine. Its more about area than hotel i would think. And your destinations are all in pretty developed places.

If you book through an agent you may be able to get a discount from booking all the hotels with a chain, but why limit yourself? Look at all the places you can stay and choose what you would prefer, dependant on location and amenities. LA for example is a huge place, did you want to stay in Beverly Hills or Anaheim or Hollywood for example? There are lots of hostels at all of these places, maybe that would be the route for you? I cant personally advise but im sure someone else can - i saw a hell of a lot of students and backpackers on my travels.

As for money, i had put a few tips in my post that i referenced to earlier, but its all down to the individual. Do you spend a lot of credit/charge cards? Do you use travellers cheques? I just take bills for tips and cabs and use cards for my expenditure, but thats how i travel normally. If you are using cash, i'd save at least a grand, if not more. All depends on how long you'll be away.

You may benefit from going to see a GE specialist, TrvaelBag in London (who i used) have trained agents for these trips who have been on them and can advise you on the destinations and things you'll need to know and plan for, so i'd definately recommend a chat, and they can help you with any concerns you may have and iron out any issues.

Thanks,
Sarah

The great escapade is normally fared from the OUTBOUND date, so if you leave during a lower period, you get the lower fare.

Originally posted by stoneflyer
2a) does anyone know of any cheap hotels that are safe. As long as they are safe and clean and good location im not that bothered.

Depends how cheap you're looking, but a great resource for student/backpacker accomodation is

http://www.hostelworld.com

They rank the hostels/budget hotels by customer rating and have a huge database of both properties and customer reviews.
On booking they take a bookign Fee and then you pay the full ammount on arrival.

Generally when I'm going down the backpacker route I'll only book the first night or two in a place and rely on meeting people/ getting local recommendations when I'm there.

I've used them alot in the past, though and might be doing so again in Dec when I have to use my last two staff travel tickets before the year end... but can't really afford to pay for a hotel.

VH have some round the world trips in their Australia brochure
inc accom.

thanks for all the replies. Thanks for the hostel link. thats not a bad idea. one other question do u think its madness only spending 3/4 nights in each place? with jet lag etc.

Originally posted by stoneflyer
thanks for all the replies. Do u think its madness only spending 3/4 nights in each place? with jet lag etc.

If you can spend longer, you will never regret it, because you will see more and be more awake (that dreaded jet lag catches up to anyone on about the third flight, and your 3rd is the SYD - everyone gets a bit hangdog on that one).

But if you can't afford more time in each city, it's better by far to go and spend the time you can, rather than not go and wish for the rest of your life you had.

Remember, many of the people in the world will never go places we talk about, enjoy, and remember fondly! Don't be one of them.

Go, stoneflyer, be a jet setter, GO![y]

Stoneflyer,

I spent between 2 and 5 nights at each place i visited on my Great Escapade, i was happy seeing a little bit of several places than too much of a few places. I thought it was the ideal way of deciding if i'd like to return to some of the new countries i visited - and equally, if i didnt like somewhere it wasnt too long until my next flight.

The only downside to lots of travelling is that it does tire you out. I did my GE in J, if i had done it in Y i think it would have been less fun.

Personally, if you are up for the travelling, i think 3/4 nights is ideal to get to see the major attractions and get a good feel for each place before moving on.

Thanks,
Sarah

Hello,
Me again. How late can i leave booking the great escapade and where is the best place to book?

Many thanks
tom

Hi Tom,

I have a GE ticket booked for next month. I booked in Jan this year to give myself th best chance of getting the flexability I required. RTW's can be a pain to organise and a whole trip can be comprimised if you cannot get one sector on a particular date you require. I would reccommend that you book as far in advance as possible.

You can book with either VS, NZ or SQ direct or through an agent such as Trailfinders who specialize in RTW's.

The pricing is pretty straight forward for most standard GE fares, it doesn't get discounted by anyone really. You can find seasonal pricing on the GE website here.

Good luck and keep us posted with your progress......

If you are an Expert Flyer subscriber the website now features some RTW fare info.

Chuck-