Is this a crazy idea-rtw-not all the way!!! Please help... anyone

Leaving from London to New York... want to spend three moons in USA...(travelling by motorhome),then continue round the world, leaving via San Fran or LA... does it make sense if I bought a ticket when I leave USA so that I gain back the 3 months already done touring USA as opposed to buying RTW from London-USA-NZ-OZ (etc etc) London?? So do USA-NZ-OZ etc etc Paris- London, then may or maynot use last bit of ticket back.

I am English with no major roots in London..
Lisa & young son Lisa6297@hotmail.com

Hi Lisa,

I cannot advice you long distance as this sounds like complex travel arrangements needing you to sit down with someone.

You need to look at what is allowed when entering the US, or many other countries, such as having a return or onward ticket out of the country.

There are some return tickets that you can get a refund on the return half but you pay a bit more for this privelege.

You may be able to get an Atlantic/Pacific return fare that would include all of your destinations. These fares would probably have code shares between airlines e.g. a return ticket on which you are travelling more than one airline between destinations. The return ticket would also need to allow you to make the stopovers you are wanting, you may need to be flexible.

Usually when you do a search for these fares they end up being an RTW of some kind. The cheaper the RTW the less flexibility such as open dated tickets, open sectors, open jaw (allowing land travel), it can get tricky.

The maximum any ticket is valid for is 12 months. Cheaper tickets may only allow 3-6 months or less, and carry more restrictions about changes, refunds etc.

My suggestion would be to find a travel agent who has travelled independently themselves, and is a guru on RTW tickets/travel. You are not obliged to buy from the first travel consultant you visit, move on if you do not feel confident and satisfied. If you start to hear the same story from them all then maybe they are right in what they are saying, you may need to rethink your plans.

Your local travel agent who specialises in short package trips is not your best bet. Go somewhere where they specialise in student/independent travellers needs, not neccessarily bucket shop. You may need to pay a bit more to get the flexibility you need e.g. to cash a return half in and rebuy onward travel later, or to have open dates.

It is possible. Look at a map of the world, where in the US do you want to depart (important info. for the airline availability out of a city, or are you flexible/you'll get to that any city needed. Where do you want to arrive/depart in New Zealand and Australia. Have a rough idea planned, and alternatives.

Find out the best place in your plans to possible cash in a return half, and buy forward tickets.

Travelling with a three year old you need to be organized, and not find yourself in too much of a bind, not able to reach a city for a flight, run out of money for a forward flight. Children cope really well with travel if they are used to it and easy going, if it's a first time and you are not organized them you may find yourself tired out by it. People love to see children travelling and they often pay them lots of attention, but you are the one left to care for them at the end of the day.

My kids have travelled from a very young age, they can be stronger than us sometimes, amazes me how they can be vomiting like mad most of the day (in India), and just move on between bouts as if nothing is happening (keep the fluids up and be observant). How does your son cope with travel?

I have not wanted to frighten you off, travel is so amazing for anyone, my kids still talk about things or people they experience years ago, they are open to the world, have a great sense of adventure and mix so well with people. Your trip could be something that you can share through life, just find someone who can advice you wisely.

Hope that I haven't confused you by all of the above, or given unnecessary info.

Hope it all works out for you.

Cheers
Jenny