Tokyo-LAX is a heavily trafficked route and is usually booked. Try Tokyo-DFW or even O'Hare.

Sometimes, airlines will run specials for routes that are traveled less.

Tried Tokyo to LAX, DFW, ORD, HNL, SFO, SAN, SEA and LAS and all of them were at least $300 more expensive. Grr... stupid cross-Pacific flights.



Actually, when I repriced everything last night, the total I have with the rail pass is $2,193; the airfare by itself is $1,900. But, the way everything has been going, I wouldn't be surprised if those prices are completely shot by this evening.

I've kind of changed my mind on where I'm going to be stopping in Europe. As it stands now, I'll be staying overnight in London, Brussels, Berlin, Vienna, Budapest and Munich.

Anyways, it looks like I'll be booking here within the next few days, so hopefully this will all be done with and I can start focusing on the fun things.

Interesting.

What airline? Did you pick an alliance?

Also, have you thought about flying out of Hong Kong or going to Guam before coming back to the states?

Ack, I forgot to answer Impala's other questions.

1) As it stands now, the longest leg of the trip - and, incidently, most expensive - is the trip from Bangkok to Houston. I would depart Bangkok at 10:45 p.m. on June 13 and wouldn't get into Houston until 5:32 p.m. on June 14; the total amount of "plane time" comes up to be about 22 hours. The longest individual flight of the trip takes place in this leg as well, the flight from Tokyo to Los Angeles would clock in at a shade under 10 hours long.

2) I will be flying economy class throughout the entire trip and riding second-class on all trains.

Hartmann's questions up next...

1) I'll fly Continental to New York, Air India(??) to London, Turkish Air to Istanbul, Gulf Air to Bangkok, Korean Air to Los Angeles and Delta to Houston.

2) I did not pick an alliance because it was way too expensive to justify. Actually, in just looking at airfare, the cost for going with StarAlliance and OneWorld is nearly twice of what I'll probably end up spending.

3) I thought about Hong Kong when I first began thinking of taking a trip like this, but I opted for Bangkok for a couple of reasons. First, my father spent time in both cities back in the day and he said that Hong Kong sucked compared to Bangkok. Secondly, it seems as if staying in Hong Kong (lodging, food, etc.) is a LOT more expensive than Bangkok. I've never thought about going to Guam, is it pretty cool?

NRT-DFW is the same way. I just flew it 3 weeks ago and it was booked solid.

Booking today, within the next hour or so.

Booked.

high five.

Congrats on getting it all booked, sounds like it will be a good trip.

When I said "pick an alliance" what I was trying to say was, pick airlines in the same alliance so that the miles can be used all together, instead of spread out. You'll still have tons of miles, so I suggest signing up for Frequent Flier accounts on U.S. airlines.

Ah, okay, I got you.

Well, I honestly didn't even think about it because I figured it would be more expensive (and, therefore, not worth it) to find flights within my chosen "alliance" than it would be to just pick the cheapest flights.

Turns out, I didn't realize how broad some of these alliances are.

As it turns out, all but two of my flights are in the Skyteam Alliance, meaning I'll get credit for my flights to from IAH to JFK, JFK to LHR, BKK to LAX and LAX to IAH.

So, basically, I'm going to get credit for about 15,000 (out of about 21,000) miles.

Hartmann, I really appreciate that post because I definitely wouldn't have even bothered checking if you hadn't mentioned it.

No problem. My suggestion then is to get a Continental, Delta, or Northwest frequent flier account (probably CO since you're in Texas) and make sure that on every segment of your trip that is SkyTeam that your FF # is on your boarding pass. Also, make sure you keep all tickets and boarding passes just in case you do not get credit for a particular segment.

I actually have a OnePass account from 1993, when I visited Alaska... Thankfully, OnePass miles don't expire, so I was able to confirm that my account is still valid. Of course, all of the information on it is woefully out of date (address, etc.) so I'll have to get that straightened out, but I have plenty of time.

Question, can I just show them my OnePass card when I check in, or should I get that straightened out with each airlines beforehand?

If you have your reservations online you should be able to add the OnePass number there. I would make sure you have your OnePass card with you though as when you check-in that may be the best way to make sure the number is on there. If you check-in for the flights by going to the ticket counter, they should be able to add your OnePass number right there.

main thing is have your account number when you check in.....even if you do it online before. Verify when you check in to every flight that they have your frequent flier membership.

also, if you forget, you have to have the ticket stubs (i believe) to be able to redeem them afterwards...but try not to deal with that by verifying at check in