Little-used fares can yield significant savings for Business and First Class travelers heading to the Pacific

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. When flying across the Pacific, however, the cheapest way to get from A to B and back may be with a “Circle Pacific” fare, which can be 20 to 60% less than point-to-point transpacific fares. There is also a 25% discount for children ages 2-11.

Requiring at least one stopover in the northern Pacific (Asia) and one in the southern (Australia or New Zealand), these fares are tailor-made for the executive who has to hopscotch around the Pacific or who wants to cap a business trip with a few days of leisure travel. They also work for leisure travelers heading to Australia, New Zealand, or the South Pacific, but who have the time to spend a few days in Asia.

Circle Pacific fares are flexible—only the first leg has to be booked before departure—but there are a few restrictions to keep in mind, including:

• A seven-day advance purchase is required.
• Your itinerary has to be stated at time of purchase; for open-segments, a service fee may apply.
• Routing changes are permitted, but incur change fees.
• A stopover of at least 24 hours is required at each destination.

Where Circle Pacific Fares Work Best:

In First Class. Right now, a First Class fare on Qantas from New York to Sydney costs $25,551. With a Circle Pacific fare, you’d pay $15,020—a savings of more than $10,531, and less than the normal Business Class fare.

Qantas is also known for high Business Class fares. It charges $17,467 round-trip from San Francisco or Los Angeles to Sydney. The Business Class Circle Pacific fare starts at $8,460. Is it worth $9,007 to make two stops on the return? (The stopover options include Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo.)

A First Class fare on Cathay Pacific from Los Angeles to Hong Kong costs $14,845. With a Circle Pacific fare, you’d pay $12,700, and your itinerary would have to include a South Pacific destination such as Auckland (Hey, it’s a free trip to New Zealand).

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Where They Don’t Work:

In Business Class from the West Coast to Asia, as published fares are often lower than Circle Pacific fares. Two passen-gers traveling on the same itinerary should try the Amex 2-for-1 for better deals. (And always compare published fares with the Circle Pacific fares.)

Published Business Class fares in 2005 started at about $6,800 and up for most routes to Asia from the West Coast. The price hasn’t changed much, whereas Circle Pacific Business and First Class fares have risen almost 43%. Back in 2005, a 22,000-mile Circle Pacific itinerary with Star alliance would cost you $4,800; now it costs $8,460.

The Nuts and Bolts: Three “Fare Levels” Based on Mileage

There are three Circle Pacific Business and First Class fare categories, based on the maximum miles that can be flown. The lowest fares restrict an itinerary to 22,000 miles, and the succeeding levels allow 26,000 and 29,000, respectively.

New: Premium Economy

Oneworld Circle Pacific economy fares allow an upgrade to Premium Economy on the two applicable carriers offering the cabin: Japan Airlines and Qantas. Oneworld’s economy fare for the Los Angeles–Tokyo–Sydney–Los Angeles itinerary is $4,500. The Premium Economy upgrade adds $1,700, bringing the total to $6,200. (Los Angeles route on JAL available Apr.’09; Tokyo-Sydney segment is economy only.)

Oneworld Beats Star Alliance

Of the two major players in Circle Pacific airfares, Oneworld comes out on top because it offers a 29,000-mile option, which includes the possibility of a South America add-on from the South Pacific. (Cool Qantas flight: Sydney to Santiago via Auckland over the South Pole.) Oneworld fares also require fewer stops: two vs. three on Star Alliance.