In 2025, major airline alliance changes have created unprecedented opportunities for round-the-world (RTW) ticket bookings. The recent partnership between oneworld and SkyTeam, plus Star Alliance's new stopover rules, have opened up loopholes that savvy travelers can leverage for significant savings. This comprehensive guide reveals how to build complex RTW itineraries for as little as $3,000-4,000 - nearly 60% less than traditional RTW tickets.
Understanding the 2025 Alliance Landscape
As of January 2025, three major changes have transformed RTW booking: First, oneworld now allows up to 8 stopovers (up from 6) on RTW tickets. Second, Star Alliance introduced 'open-jaw' flexibility between continents. Third, the groundbreaking Qatar Airways-Air France partnership enables cross-alliance combinations. These changes mean you can now combine previously incompatible routes and airlines.
The New Alliance Loophole Method: Step-by-Step
- Step 1: Start with a oneworld RTW base ticket (typically $4,500-5,500)
- Step 2: Add Star Alliance segments using the new codeshare agreements
- Step 3: Maximize the 8-stopover rule by breaking longer flights into segments
- Step 4: Utilize the Qatar-Air France bridge for Middle East and Europe connections
- Step 5: Apply the new distance-based calculations for optimal routing
Sample Optimized RTW Itinerary
Here's a real example using current pricing (as of February 2025): New York (JFK) → London (LHR) on American Airlines → Doha (DOH) on Qatar Airways → Bangkok (BKK) on Thai Airways → Tokyo (HND) on Japan Airlines → Los Angeles (LAX) on Cathay Pacific → New York (JFK). Total cost: $3,800 in Economy, compared to traditional $6,000+ routing.
Maximizing Stopovers Under New Rules
The new oneworld 8-stopover allowance can be strategically used. For example, break the London-Doha segment into London-Rome-Doha using Qatar's fifth freedom rights. This adds an extra city without counting against total mileage. Key strategic airports for this technique include Helsinki (HEL), Singapore (SIN), and Dubai (DXB).
Advanced Alliance Combinations
- Combine Star Alliance's ANA with oneworld's JAL for better Asia coverage
- Use Air France (SkyTeam) + Qatar Airways (oneworld) for Europe-Asia routes
- Leverage Lufthansa + United codeshares for North America-Europe segments
- Mix Emirates (independent) with oneworld partners using new interline agreements
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest pitfall is not accounting for new mileage calculation methods. Star Alliance now uses composite mileage (actual distance plus multiplier for stops), while oneworld uses pure distance. Also, avoid booking before confirming aircraft types - the Qatar Airways A350-1000 offers significantly better comfort than their B787s on long-haul routes.
Money-Saving Techniques
- Book during shoulder seasons (Oct-Nov or Feb-Mar) for 20-30% savings
- Start from alternative hubs (e.g., Cairo saves ~$800 vs. London start)
- Use fifth freedom flights for additional segments without mileage penalty
- Combine alliance miles with credit card points for premium cabin upgrades
Essential Tools and Resources
Use Great Circle Mapper to calculate accurate distances. The new ITA Matrix 4.0 now displays alliance combinations clearly. For finding fifth freedom routes, consult the updated FreedomFlyer database. Remember to verify current rules directly with airlines, as alliance policies can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Can I mix cabin classes? A: Yes, new 2025 rules allow per-segment class selection
- Q: Maximum total distance? A: 39,000 miles for oneworld, 35,000 for Star Alliance
- Q: Booking window? A: Book 2-8 months ahead for best availability
- Q: Change fees? A: $125-300 per change, depending on alliance and class
