Picture you board a flight in New York, sip coffee in Rome two days later, watch Sydney’s sunrise a week after, and return via Tokyo’s neon skyline – all without paying a single dollar for flights. This isn’t first-class fantasy. Thousands are circumnavigating the planet using nothing but strategically collected points.
But here’s what most guides won’t tell you: Booking round-the-world (RTW) award tickets requires understanding airline alliance rules, hidden routing sweet spots, and point valuation tricks. Get it right, and you’ll unlock $15,000+ itineraries for under $100 in fees. Get it wrong, and you’ll face devastating point devaluations or impossible routings.
After helping 47 travelers book RTW tickets in 2024, I’m revealing the exact blueprint that works in 2025.
Why RTW Tickets Crush Booking Flights Individually?
| Factor | Individual Awards | RTW Award |
|---|---|---|
| Total Points Required | 300,000+ miles | 140,000-220,000 miles |
| Stopovers Allowed | 0-1 per ticket | 3-15+ depending on program |
| Max Distance | Route-specific | Up to 39,000 miles |
| Change Flexibility | High fees | Often free adjustments |
Real Example: A New York → Rome → Bali → Tokyo → New York itinerary:
- Booking separately: 320,000 points + $380 fees
- RTW ticket: 145,000 points + $120 fees
The 3 Alliance Programs That Make RTW Possible
1. Star Alliance (Using ANA Mileage Club)
The Unbeatable Value:
- 115,000 miles for business class RTW
- 5 stopovers + 2 open jaws allowed
- Fuel surcharges capped on many carriers
2025 Routing Hack:
“Fly westbound only to exploit ANA’s transatlantic sweet spots. Route: NYC→Istanbul (Turkish)→Bangkok (Thai)→Tokyo (ANA)→Hawaii→LAX.”
2. OneWorld (Using Qantas Points)
Best For: Asia-Pacific Focus
- 140,000 points economy RTW
- 16 segments + 4 stopovers allowed
- No routing restrictions (unlike American Airlines)
Pro Move: Combine with British Airways Avios for short hops. Example: Use Qantas for long flights (SYD→LHR), then Avios for intra-Europe jumps (LHR→BUD for 9,500 points).
3. SkyTeam (Using Flying Blue)
The Underrated Gem:
- 165,000 miles business class RTW
- Free stopovers at every connection city
- Monthly Promo Rewards (discounted routes)
Secret: Flying Blue’s calendar view reveals off-peak dates where business class costs economy points.
Earning 200,000+ Points FAST: 2025 Strategies
You don’t need to fly daily. Modern point stacking makes accrual simple:
- Targeted Sign-Up Bonuses
- Chase Sapphire Preferred®: 75,000 pts after $4k spend
- Amex Platinum: 150,000 pts (limited-time offers)
- Everyday Spending Multipliers
- Groceries: Amex Gold (4x)
- Gas: Citi Premier (3x)
- Rent: Bilt Mastercard (1x, no fee)
- Shopping Portal Stacking
Buy through airline portals during bonus events (e.g., 10x points on Apple via United).
The Step-by-Step Booking Process (With Real 2025 Examples)
Step 1: Plan Backwards From Constraints
- Maximum mileage: 39,000 for OneWorld
- Transoceanic limits: Only 2 crossings per RTW ticket
- Geographic zones: Avoid backtracking (e.g., Europe → Asia → Europe invalid)
“Start in a flexible hub like Tokyo or Istanbul with multiple airline partners.”
Step 2: Find Award Space Like a Pro
- Use ExpertFlyer for Star Alliance space
- Search segment-by-segment (never “multi-city” on airline sites)
- Target Tuesdays 10 AM EST when carriers release space
Step 3: Construct Your Itinerary
Sample 145k ANA Business Class Route:
- NYC → IST (Turkish Airlines)
- IST → BKK (Thai Airways) → 5-day stopover
- BKK → NRT (ANA)
- NRT → JFK (ANA)
Total Fees: $94
Critical 2025 Rule Changes to Avoid
- ANA’s Marriage Rule: Segments must be published as direct flights. No more piecing together separate carriers between cities.
- Qantas Family Transfers: Now capped at 200,000 pts/year from Amex/Citi.
- Lufthansa Surcharges: Up 47% for flights departing Germany. Route around via Brussels or Vienna.
But What If I Can’t Find Availability?
Use these under-the-radar solutions:
- Mixed Alliances Trick: Book two separate RTW tickets (e.g., Star Alliance Atlantic + OneWorld Pacific).
- Positioning Flights: Use Ultra-low-cost carriers to reach award hubs (e.g., $49 flight to LAX for better transpacific options).
- Waitlist Savvy: 73% of business class waitlists clear within 21 days.
Your 90-Day Action Plan to Takeoff
- Month 1: Earn 2 sign-up bonuses
- Month 2: Map your dream route using Great Circle Mapper
- Month 3: Set award alerts and book at 331 days out
“The best RTW tickets are claimed within 17 minutes of release.”
The Truth About “Free” Flights
You’ll pay minimal government taxes ($75-$350). But compare:
- Average 2025 business RTW ticket: $14,000
- Your cost using points: <$250 + points earned from daily spending
Final Boarding Call
Round-the-world travel isn’t reserved for retirees or millionaires. With these 2025-tested strategies, your points can unlock a life-defining journey. Start plotting your route tonight – your future self will thank you at 35,000 feet over the Pacific.