For $5k in cash from a frequent flier. Won't expire she says.

She has traveled to Japan 4-5 times a year for over 20 years. I think she has 2 million miles banked.

Mulling

Don't mull.. Just do it.

I mean, verify that she can transfer it, and terms and conditions and all, but, if all that checks out - Just do it.
I seriously doubt you'll regret the experience once the bills are paid off...

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Paul F.
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A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
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Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
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Eureka, CA

Based on my recent airline ticket purchases, it seems to me that you could fly around the world for less than $5,000. Of course, that would be at coach prices. If you can get a 1st Class ticket for that on a decent airline (i.e. not one of our domestic carriers) then that might be worth it.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

Not much of a bargain. here's a sample around the world trip I just looked at and you only save $1430 from the actual cost.
WASHDC-Regan
Tokyo
Bangkok
London
Tblisi
Albuquerque NM

42 nights
6 flights - 3 different airlines
5 destinations
27,396 miles

$6430.19 per person, coach
YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE THIS TRIP VIA COACH! The first segment is WASHDC to Tokyo - 17 hours. That's a killer of a flight to make in a coach seat. Premium Economy would probably double the price.

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richorlin



Edited 6 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2023 08:52PM by richorlin.

Here's an article regarding the pros and cons of a RTW ticket: [www.nomadicmatt.com]. It notes that a RTW ticket can be worth anywhere between $1,500 and $15,000.

Sounds like "it depends" is the answer, and depends on whether you want to be able to modify your itinerary (discouraged for most RTW tickets), how long a period you have to knock out all the traveling, and most importantly whether you're looking at a coach, business or 1st Class ticket.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a RTW ticket unless it was a crazy bargain because I want to be able to spread my travel out over long periods, not jam it all into the short period that a RTW ticket is valid.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2023 09:27PM by davester.

I’ve flown from Atlanta to Seoul, Tokyo to, I think Minneapolis, and a few others like that while in Coach. The worst was the Atlanta to Seoul… middle seat between two Korean men who literally slept the entire time. The guy in the aisle was almost impossible to awaken. The flight attendant had to help me wake him up the one time so I could use the bathroom. I wandered up and down the aisle for an hour before returning.