From the USA to South Africa first class
Oct 19th, 2004 | 04:28 PM
#21
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Just got it all finalized today!
Bottome Line:
DO NOT waste your time on flyfirstclass.com. I had repeated promised from Brent to return calls or "get back with me" on promised fares, and they never followed through. After talking to them on the phone, I had good expectations of them and didn't feel the need to actively pursue other avenues. Big mistake; with six days to go before we left and still no response to my many emails, faxes, and phone calls I put the word out to all consolidators, and here are the two who *REALLY* came through for me:
biztravels.com was great - really great.
They secured the best rate for first-class airfare - and their agents even came back into the office after-hours to work with me (literally) in securing the best fares - and truly, these guys went above and beyond ALL efforts of the many consolidators I worked with.
Unfortunately, part of the trip would have required using FF miles, and hubs wasn't willing to risk it, so we had to cancel THAT (we're talking yesterday here), and an agent here in the States
who I've worked with before got great fares for us on Swiss Air for the same price.
SO...
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME with
flyfirstclass.com
DO CHECK OUT
biztravels.com
and ask for Kim, Ben, or Rajne
I talked to all of them, and they had the best follow-through of all agencies
ALSO CHECK OUT Greg at
[email protected]
He secured our final airfares for us, and has always worked really hard to get our business - and there is something to be said for that in this internet-travel-age
Hubs is built like a football player and has sleep apnea, both of which pretty much require us to fly business or first. If anyone wants final costs or more info just email me and I'll give you specifics. buffyp - at - mchsi - dot - com
Bottome Line:
DO NOT waste your time on flyfirstclass.com. I had repeated promised from Brent to return calls or "get back with me" on promised fares, and they never followed through. After talking to them on the phone, I had good expectations of them and didn't feel the need to actively pursue other avenues. Big mistake; with six days to go before we left and still no response to my many emails, faxes, and phone calls I put the word out to all consolidators, and here are the two who *REALLY* came through for me:
biztravels.com was great - really great.
They secured the best rate for first-class airfare - and their agents even came back into the office after-hours to work with me (literally) in securing the best fares - and truly, these guys went above and beyond ALL efforts of the many consolidators I worked with.
Unfortunately, part of the trip would have required using FF miles, and hubs wasn't willing to risk it, so we had to cancel THAT (we're talking yesterday here), and an agent here in the States
who I've worked with before got great fares for us on Swiss Air for the same price.
SO...
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME with
flyfirstclass.com
DO CHECK OUT
biztravels.com
and ask for Kim, Ben, or Rajne
I talked to all of them, and they had the best follow-through of all agencies
ALSO CHECK OUT Greg at
[email protected]
He secured our final airfares for us, and has always worked really hard to get our business - and there is something to be said for that in this internet-travel-age
Hubs is built like a football player and has sleep apnea, both of which pretty much require us to fly business or first. If anyone wants final costs or more info just email me and I'll give you specifics. buffyp - at - mchsi - dot - com
Oct 21st, 2004 | 09:36 AM
#24
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,427
Likes: 0
Buffy,
I wouldn't have felt comfortable using FF miles brokered from someone else's account either (if that's what you meant). I know the risk is small, but it's not one I'm willing to take. Plus if I wanted to use FF miles and didn't have them, I can just buy them from Amex Membership Rewards at 2.5 cents each, which is often less than what the brokers charge for the tickets.
I wouldn't have felt comfortable using FF miles brokered from someone else's account either (if that's what you meant). I know the risk is small, but it's not one I'm willing to take. Plus if I wanted to use FF miles and didn't have them, I can just buy them from Amex Membership Rewards at 2.5 cents each, which is often less than what the brokers charge for the tickets.
Oct 21st, 2004 | 12:43 PM
#25
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
Buffy and Col Wes-
Using biztravels.com aren't we talking them giving (selling) you the award miles to use to get the tickets? I mean isn't that the method they are basically using to get the tickets? I called them and that is what they told me. We might need tickets. Doesn't that give you pause? Thanks. Liz
Using biztravels.com aren't we talking them giving (selling) you the award miles to use to get the tickets? I mean isn't that the method they are basically using to get the tickets? I called them and that is what they told me. We might need tickets. Doesn't that give you pause? Thanks. Liz
Oct 21st, 2004 | 01:21 PM
#27
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
I talked to Rajni and I specifically asked that question and she said yes, they are awards but they are legal. They give you the award and get the ticket for you for the amount you give them to cover it. That then raised a red flag to me about what if the airline questions you. Just thought someone else may have already done it and found it worked fine. Thanks for replying. Liz
Oct 21st, 2004 | 01:44 PM
#28
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,427
Likes: 0
Hi Liz,
Did you pose that question to the agent? Would they give you a guarantee that these tickets cannot be cancelled by the airline? While technically "legal" since you're not breaking any laws, it's against most FF program rules to sell miles.
I looked into these award tickets for a trip to Europe some time ago and it seemed that the risk of the airline finding out is very small since FF programs allow you to gift awards to anyone. I've also been told that the reputable agencies try not to redeem too many tickets from any one individual's account in order to not raise any red flags with the airline. In practice, everything probably works out fine, but in the back of my mind, I'd always be thinking of the "what if's".
Then I found out that I could buy up to 500,000 miles annually through Amex Membership Rewards at 2.5 cents a mile, and it seemed like a much better way to go (if that's an option for you and assuming award space is available). That way it doesn't violate any rules and there's nothing to be concerned about short of the airline going bankrupt!
Did you pose that question to the agent? Would they give you a guarantee that these tickets cannot be cancelled by the airline? While technically "legal" since you're not breaking any laws, it's against most FF program rules to sell miles.
I looked into these award tickets for a trip to Europe some time ago and it seemed that the risk of the airline finding out is very small since FF programs allow you to gift awards to anyone. I've also been told that the reputable agencies try not to redeem too many tickets from any one individual's account in order to not raise any red flags with the airline. In practice, everything probably works out fine, but in the back of my mind, I'd always be thinking of the "what if's".
Then I found out that I could buy up to 500,000 miles annually through Amex Membership Rewards at 2.5 cents a mile, and it seemed like a much better way to go (if that's an option for you and assuming award space is available). That way it doesn't violate any rules and there's nothing to be concerned about short of the airline going bankrupt!
Oct 21st, 2004 | 02:02 PM
#29
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
Patty-
Thanks for your post. I'm 100% with you here. I'm not AMX and although we have enough miles for Biz Class, I'd love first with the flat beds, sooooo........
I did ask the specific question and yes they are awards but they are completely handled by the biztravels.com and they say they don't have a problem, but then I'm the one who looks guilty and is always looking over my shoulder. I don't lie well. I think I'll call the airlines and pose the question to see if it is okay with them first. But since Wes and Buffy were doing it, I thought they'd know off hand and put my mind at ease. Sigh! Liz
Thanks for your post. I'm 100% with you here. I'm not AMX and although we have enough miles for Biz Class, I'd love first with the flat beds, sooooo........
I did ask the specific question and yes they are awards but they are completely handled by the biztravels.com and they say they don't have a problem, but then I'm the one who looks guilty and is always looking over my shoulder. I don't lie well. I think I'll call the airlines and pose the question to see if it is okay with them first. But since Wes and Buffy were doing it, I thought they'd know off hand and put my mind at ease. Sigh! Liz
Oct 21st, 2004 | 02:28 PM
#30
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,427
Likes: 0
Liz,
The way I read Buffy's post, it sounded like her husband nixed the idea of the award tickets and they purchased tickets on Swiss Air instead. I think Buffy left already so we may have to wait to find out for sure. Let me know what the airline says.
The way I read Buffy's post, it sounded like her husband nixed the idea of the award tickets and they purchased tickets on Swiss Air instead. I think Buffy left already so we may have to wait to find out for sure. Let me know what the airline says.
Oct 22nd, 2004 | 05:02 AM
#32
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Liz,
Interesting, I had no idea these were
awards based tickets. I will not purchase our tickets until April/May 2005 for tvl april 2006, so will be interested in your homework w/the airlines. Am an AMX-P holder so if
you purchased rewared points for biz classs tickets, what is the rate?
thx for your diligence here liz..r/wes
Interesting, I had no idea these were
awards based tickets. I will not purchase our tickets until April/May 2005 for tvl april 2006, so will be interested in your homework w/the airlines. Am an AMX-P holder so if
you purchased rewared points for biz classs tickets, what is the rate?
thx for your diligence here liz..r/wes
Oct 22nd, 2004 | 09:32 AM
#33
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,427
Likes: 0
wes,
It's 2.5 cents per mile if you purchase them from the Amex Membership Rewards program. If you're a Platinum charge card holder, you should already be enrolled. You have to purchase in increments of 1000 miles, up to a maximum of 500,000 miles annually. Details are listed in the FAQ's on the MR website:
http://www.membershiprewards.com/FaqDynamic.aspx
You'll want to make sure the award space is available with whichever airline you plan to transfer these miles to as the purchase is nonrefundable. Also when you transfer your miles from Amex to the airline, there's a federal excise tax of $0.0004 per mile (with a maximum cap of $40 per transfer). Hope this helps.
It's 2.5 cents per mile if you purchase them from the Amex Membership Rewards program. If you're a Platinum charge card holder, you should already be enrolled. You have to purchase in increments of 1000 miles, up to a maximum of 500,000 miles annually. Details are listed in the FAQ's on the MR website:
http://www.membershiprewards.com/FaqDynamic.aspx
You'll want to make sure the award space is available with whichever airline you plan to transfer these miles to as the purchase is nonrefundable. Also when you transfer your miles from Amex to the airline, there's a federal excise tax of $0.0004 per mile (with a maximum cap of $40 per transfer). Hope this helps.
Oct 22nd, 2004 | 09:40 AM
#34
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Patty, yes, thanks..had done the homework this am..and still not clear if the Delta miles required for Biz Class are 120,000 or 150,000 for SAA..Cost is $3000 or $3700 plus the excise tax..still sounds competitve vice what the consolidators offer...r/wes
Oct 22nd, 2004 | 10:12 AM
#35
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,427
Likes: 0
It should be 120,000 if you're using Delta miles for the SAA partner award from the US to JNB. However, I remember reading somewhere on this board that SAA was ending their partnership with Delta sometime in the near future. You might want to check into this.
Your other options if using Delta miles would be the Air France or KLM flights via Europe for the same 120,000 miles in business class. I believe Air France also offers a first class option for 160,000 miles. A third option would be Virgin Atlantic via Heathrow but this would require 2 separate awards totaling 200,000 miles for their Upper Class.
Have you looked into the Amex Platinum 2 for 1 airline program? SAA participates in this. You have a buy a full fare business class ticket but with the second ticket being free (or just taxes) it might come close to the same price range.
Your other options if using Delta miles would be the Air France or KLM flights via Europe for the same 120,000 miles in business class. I believe Air France also offers a first class option for 160,000 miles. A third option would be Virgin Atlantic via Heathrow but this would require 2 separate awards totaling 200,000 miles for their Upper Class.
Have you looked into the Amex Platinum 2 for 1 airline program? SAA participates in this. You have a buy a full fare business class ticket but with the second ticket being free (or just taxes) it might come close to the same price range.
Oct 22nd, 2004 | 10:18 AM
#36
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Patty, Thanks again, you travel veteran
you...I will look into the other airlines as I too remember the threads on SAA/Delta partnership ending...as for
AMX-P 2:1 deal, see below...$11,000+ is
more than I want to spend on two tickets
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: rgiampo1
Date: 09/28/2004, 07:29 pm
Message: Hi all,
I've been lurking for a while and using all the good info to plan a 2005 trip. I'd like to give back by providing details on using the AMEX Platinum card's 2-for-1 deal:
While it does save money, it's not as much as you are led to believe. The ticket is based on a "J" fare and not the more common "C" fare. I Just bought two SAA ATL-CPT for Jul-05:
Paid fare - $11,405
Free fare - 115 (tax)
Ticketing fee - 29 x 2
Platinum card - $395
Regards,
you...I will look into the other airlines as I too remember the threads on SAA/Delta partnership ending...as for
AMX-P 2:1 deal, see below...$11,000+ is
more than I want to spend on two tickets
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: rgiampo1
Date: 09/28/2004, 07:29 pm
Message: Hi all,
I've been lurking for a while and using all the good info to plan a 2005 trip. I'd like to give back by providing details on using the AMEX Platinum card's 2-for-1 deal:
While it does save money, it's not as much as you are led to believe. The ticket is based on a "J" fare and not the more common "C" fare. I Just bought two SAA ATL-CPT for Jul-05:
Paid fare - $11,405
Free fare - 115 (tax)
Ticketing fee - 29 x 2
Platinum card - $395
Regards,
Oct 22nd, 2004 | 12:23 PM
#38
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
Wes-
I ended up not calling the airlines. I had just scanned Buffys post due to the length and had missed the part that Patty called to my attention later. I just wouldn't take the risk. Also I don't think that company is US based, so who can you go back on? We have Biz Class miles but want to go First Class, so I think we'll just purchase them in January. Still a lot cheaper than any ticket you can buy and I won't have to worry about my back in FC. AA Biz Class seats are less than desireable if you have a bad back. I can use either BA or Swiss Air or both, one each way, for the same amount of miles, 200k. Good luck to us all, huh? Thanks to you both for your information. I sent an email to that greg, Buffy mentioned and nothing yet. Orbitz, etc, is way too high. Also you might want to check with Virgin Atlantic. They had a special all this year US to J'burg for around $5,000. You have to call them and ask for it. If you get their planes outfitted with their flagship suite,I think they call it, it is really nice. Flat beds, etc.
Clematis took it to Europe and said it was really wonderful. Liz
I ended up not calling the airlines. I had just scanned Buffys post due to the length and had missed the part that Patty called to my attention later. I just wouldn't take the risk. Also I don't think that company is US based, so who can you go back on? We have Biz Class miles but want to go First Class, so I think we'll just purchase them in January. Still a lot cheaper than any ticket you can buy and I won't have to worry about my back in FC. AA Biz Class seats are less than desireable if you have a bad back. I can use either BA or Swiss Air or both, one each way, for the same amount of miles, 200k. Good luck to us all, huh? Thanks to you both for your information. I sent an email to that greg, Buffy mentioned and nothing yet. Orbitz, etc, is way too high. Also you might want to check with Virgin Atlantic. They had a special all this year US to J'burg for around $5,000. You have to call them and ask for it. If you get their planes outfitted with their flagship suite,I think they call it, it is really nice. Flat beds, etc.
Clematis took it to Europe and said it was really wonderful. Liz
Oct 22nd, 2004 | 01:19 PM
#40
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Liz,
I love FF miles because apart from the occasional unexpected upgrade they're the only way I can travel in business.
I recently redeemed two roundtrip business tickets for a Nov/Dec trip London-Mumbai (on Swiss)returning Delhi-London (on BA) an incredible deal at only 60,000 each!
BA has their flat beds in business on this route and I was hoping to travel with them both to India and back but there was just no availability. I would definately ask the folks on flyertalk.com for the availability on the BA route to SA which may be just as busy.
I called and called to see if any availability on BA would opened up but now I'm just pleased that we managed to snag BA from Delhi to London.
I love FF miles because apart from the occasional unexpected upgrade they're the only way I can travel in business.
I recently redeemed two roundtrip business tickets for a Nov/Dec trip London-Mumbai (on Swiss)returning Delhi-London (on BA) an incredible deal at only 60,000 each!
BA has their flat beds in business on this route and I was hoping to travel with them both to India and back but there was just no availability. I would definately ask the folks on flyertalk.com for the availability on the BA route to SA which may be just as busy.
I called and called to see if any availability on BA would opened up but now I'm just pleased that we managed to snag BA from Delhi to London.
