From the USA to South Africa first class
Oct 22nd, 2004, 01:45 PM
#41
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Welltraveledbrit-
Lucky you starting from England. Even the East Coast of the US. But West Coast of the US? Murder..........I just can't do it anymore. Not in coach anyway. Sounds like you really get great deals. I haven't flown First for years and would just love to do it once in the flat seats. We will probably splurge once and call it good. Even miles aren't that realiable anymore with all of the bankruptcies. We'll purchase the remaining miles, get our tickets and then let the Visa's go and get free credit cards and bid Africa farewell. I know, I know, I've said that before, BUT how do you let go and forget about a love affair of 20 years?:'( Its really hard to say goodbye.
I swear off and then I read about Ruthie running over to Tanz. on a whim, and I want to go too.
Enjoy your trip. BA in biz class is fine, just not AA. I doubt if they ever do flat seats other than lst class.
Lucky you starting from England. Even the East Coast of the US. But West Coast of the US? Murder..........I just can't do it anymore. Not in coach anyway. Sounds like you really get great deals. I haven't flown First for years and would just love to do it once in the flat seats. We will probably splurge once and call it good. Even miles aren't that realiable anymore with all of the bankruptcies. We'll purchase the remaining miles, get our tickets and then let the Visa's go and get free credit cards and bid Africa farewell. I know, I know, I've said that before, BUT how do you let go and forget about a love affair of 20 years?:'( Its really hard to say goodbye.
I swear off and then I read about Ruthie running over to Tanz. on a whim, and I want to go too.
Enjoy your trip. BA in biz class is fine, just not AA. I doubt if they ever do flat seats other than lst class.
Oct 22nd, 2004, 02:07 PM
#42
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Dear Liz,
I wish I was staring in the UK! I'm also based on the west coast (in the Bay Area) We'll be in economy to the UK and then use our miles.
However because I have family in the UK the trip aren't too bad because I always stop in London for a week or two and that breaks up the jet lag. In all the years I've travelled to Africa from the West coast I don't think I've ever done it directly...it does sound dreadful.
I wish I was staring in the UK! I'm also based on the west coast (in the Bay Area) We'll be in economy to the UK and then use our miles.
However because I have family in the UK the trip aren't too bad because I always stop in London for a week or two and that breaks up the jet lag. In all the years I've travelled to Africa from the West coast I don't think I've ever done it directly...it does sound dreadful.
Jun 8th, 2006, 01:08 PM
#43
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I got a business ticket on south african airways for $3500 from www.flyfirstclass.com in March 05. You need to get a broker to setup your first class tickets if you want it cheap. Make sure you let them know your airlines/flight preferences. They will try to get you the most direct routing. A female agent told me they deal mostly with corporate travellers. You might need to tell them you are flying on a business trip if you want special attention. I will definitely buy from them again!
Jun 8th, 2006, 01:45 PM
#44
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luxgal26,
Were these award tickets? If so, you could have saved yourself a few hundred $ by purchasing points through Amex (see my post above).
On another note, so much has changed since I originally wrote the above in 2004. SAA redemption through Skymiles is ending this summer. AF first class awards are no longer available to Skymiles members. Neither are VS awards of any kind. And DL will be starting their own service to JNB in December.
Were these award tickets? If so, you could have saved yourself a few hundred $ by purchasing points through Amex (see my post above).
On another note, so much has changed since I originally wrote the above in 2004. SAA redemption through Skymiles is ending this summer. AF first class awards are no longer available to Skymiles members. Neither are VS awards of any kind. And DL will be starting their own service to JNB in December.
Jun 8th, 2006, 01:55 PM
#45
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Patty,
I am constantly amazed at your knowledge, not just of Africa but of award travel, etc. What is it that you do for a living (are you in the travel industry)?
(You really saved my hide while I was laid up in Zanzibar and facing four more nights of Europe when I really needed to get home to seek medical attention)
I am constantly amazed at your knowledge, not just of Africa but of award travel, etc. What is it that you do for a living (are you in the travel industry)?
(You really saved my hide while I was laid up in Zanzibar and facing four more nights of Europe when I really needed to get home to seek medical attention)
Jun 8th, 2006, 02:07 PM
#46
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I have bought this kind of ticket before and did not have any problems at check in etc. Your name is on the ticket and as long as it matches the passport they dont care.
However, last year I arrived at JNB off the Maun flight to be greeted by the SAA strike. At that point my Delta issued paper ticket for award travel on SAA was of limited value. In the end I purchased tickets on Lufthansa and I am using the unused leg this year. Getting everything straight between SAA and Delta was a nightmare, but at no time did they inquire about the person who had given the tickets, I don't belive it even shows up on the agents screen.
Personally I would recommend Virgin Upper as the best way to fly, but that means you have to go to Europe first.
However, last year I arrived at JNB off the Maun flight to be greeted by the SAA strike. At that point my Delta issued paper ticket for award travel on SAA was of limited value. In the end I purchased tickets on Lufthansa and I am using the unused leg this year. Getting everything straight between SAA and Delta was a nightmare, but at no time did they inquire about the person who had given the tickets, I don't belive it even shows up on the agents screen.
Personally I would recommend Virgin Upper as the best way to fly, but that means you have to go to Europe first.
Jun 8th, 2006, 03:11 PM
#48
It's just a little worrying that <i>Flyfirstclass'</i> website displays logos from four airlines that are defunct, and five or six that don't offer first class.
Just out of curiousity I dialed in late Aug - mid Sept. US > southern/east Africa in business class or better and ITA returned Dulles > Rome > Addis > NBO, EBB or JRO for $3250 or so on Ethiopian (reputedly being considered for Oneworld Alliance membership.) $3388 to JNB, same routing.
Just out of curiousity I dialed in late Aug - mid Sept. US > southern/east Africa in business class or better and ITA returned Dulles > Rome > Addis > NBO, EBB or JRO for $3250 or so on Ethiopian (reputedly being considered for Oneworld Alliance membership.) $3388 to JNB, same routing.
Jun 9th, 2006, 01:17 PM
#51
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If you had an AMEX Platinum you can get to Africa for 2 for 1 and not just via S. African Airways. SAA does charge $ 11,000 for 1 business class ticket. I used my 2 for 1 on Lufthansa from Houston to Frankfurt to Johannesburg for $ 8,000 for 2 bus class tickets R/T. It was a very good deal and the layover in Frankfurt was nice to break up the trip and stretch your legs or get a nap/shower. You can get a day room at the Sheraton right on the airport grounds. For the cost difference, it made it all worthwhile for a little extra travel time.
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