Finally I have finished booking my air to Joberg from Toronto and the return in business class using my BA miles. Only thing is we have to fly out on the 27th but thats ok,we'll find something to do or see there.

Congratulations Pat and Ray! ROAR2 will be spectacular and we can't wait to see your photos!

Andrea & Leonard

Amazing! Delta isn't even talking about those dates yet!

How many BA miles is round trip? We are finding cost $7000 for two of us for CLUB (business) RT for 2 for 1, which doesn't seem bad...especially since coach is $1800.

From the chart at BA's website, here's how many miles I *think* a roundtrip will take from a US gateway to JNB:

* in Club = 180,000 miles per ticket

* in Premium Economy = 135,000 miles per ticket

* in Economy = 90,000 miles per ticket

Is the $7,000 price you're getting for the 2-for-1 from Amex Platinum or BA's companion ticket offer with a Chase Visa?

Boy I wish I had a million FF miles so these decisions would be easier!

Andrea

Congratulations Pat and Ray. All of this is greek to me! I have no idea how to plan GAME plus SAMBA using United miles.

Some questions to you world travelers out there...

WOuld you travel South African air non-stop from NY to Sth Africa or go BA with a stop over in London? We are going Business Class. Has anyone done South African air? SAA is $500 more per ticket. We will probably go AMEX Platinum Companian Ticket. Heathrow is so dreadful I think,it may make sense to do the non-stop?

The full fare price with tax and fees is $7027 per person, so two for one should be $7027. SAA is $500 more. I have only looked at their websites. Can you book directly through an airline website and get the companion AMEX ticket?

I have no idea the cost of business class return from SA. It cost me 360,000 air miles with BA. We only use air miles for business class when flying to Asia,etc(long hauls).However that being said I couldn't get business class for LAMB (all gone...sob,sob) so it's the back of the bus for us on Quantis.Should be an interesting flight.Going to keep up, right to the end, to get upgraded though ,or it will be many :pass:to get me to Aukland

THe cost of business class return is 7000.

Andy, you have to book the Amex Platinum 2 for 1 companion ticket directly through Amex's Platinum services and it's based upon availablity and specific routes/airlines.

Good luck, Nancy

Thanks, Nancy. I'll play around with options tomorrow night. There is also the new BA two for one too with their credit card. I applied for it to give me that option as well. Unfortunately, we used up all of our free airfare on ROAR and TAP and haven't done any business travel to make up for the lost miles, so we have to pay.

Update: Just checked AMEX. They only deal with South African Airways. The 7500 ticket became 13000 which is just ridiculous. Plus, you have to pay all taxes and fees on the free ticket and you get no miles on the free ticket. I'd be better off buying two tickets for 7000 each on BA. The free international companion ticket on AMEX seems to be a real beat.

I'm now trying the BA two for one deal that Marcie recommended. We won't find out for a month whether or not we get approved for the card and then what games they play with the fees and ticket pricing. I'm checking tomorrow.

I hope we didn't miss out.
When I called a month or so ago to try to book something, they told me i could not book until OCTOBER 18.
Now I see others booked - I hope I haven't been shut out of using points to book travel.

Gil,I am a member of BA Executive Club and my air miles are with them so I'm not certain if this has anything to do with booking earlier or not.I missed the return on the 26th by 1 day so thats why we are returning on the 27th.

You could also use Iberia airlines from Chicago or NY with stop over in Madrid. There really are quite a few airlines to choose from. If you do Iberia Air you can use AA miles (one of their partners).

Play around on www.kayak.com and you can see options.

BA opens up their award redemption 350 days in advance. Most other airlines are 330 days in advance. I was able to get our flights to Africa via London on BA, but the return flight award is already sold out in First or Biz. Now I have to wait until the 330 day window to open and try to find another airline.

A friend of mine flew South Africa Biz Class from Wash Dulles to J-burg last year and loved it. They make a short refueling stop depending on the winds.

Connecting via London should be much better by the time of ROAR. The new Terminal 5 opens up next spring which is supposed to improve things dramatically there. The new BA Clubs in T-5 are supposed to be among the best in the world when they open next year.

And - I think I remember Ngaire saying they flew SAA last time they went to South Africa, which was only a month or so ago. My recollection is that she thought it was wonderful, they few I think Biz class and she mentioned they even had rack of lamb - but I can't remember where she posted that, and I don't usually have very good luck doing searches. You might give her a call or email with your questions.

Editing to add: never mind Andi, I found her post and it was BA, and they flew first class. Its under seamail "I am in Africa".

Tried to get virgin atlantic. FF mile seats were already gone. They show up on England's web site 6 hours early because of time difference. The lady I talked to said more may show up closer to departure time but I can't afford to wait. Hoping for Delta (ugh). Shortest flight from this area.

THIS JUST CAME TO MY EMAIL FROM KER & DOWNEY. THOSE BUYING MIGHT SHOULD TRY KER & DOWNEY AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO ON BRITISH AIR.

TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 1-800-423-4236.

K&D Air Department - Special rates on
British Airways 1st Class Air
Ker & Downey is one of the very few, select companies that can offer special 1st Class airfare on British Airways. As one of the most respected airlines in the industry today, our contracted rates with British Airways will surprise you! In addition, we offer superb rates on our Business Class, World Traveler Class and Coach fares too! Check with K&D's Air Department for all your worldwide air travel needs today

SAA's Business Class was absolutely great; we are probably spoiled for life. Mark flew on Delta FF miles, and we paid for my flight (managed to make Silver Elite with that trip, and I'm enjoying that immensely). We have been hoarding Delta and Amex miles with Roar2 in mind. We have enough, but as of right now Delta is only going into JNB. I'm inclined to wait for a little while, since Delta is trying for rights into CPT. That would make my job a lot easier. I don't see us breaking the trip up, since we have a house under construction and will be really, really close to moving both our stuff and Mom's. We are building so that she has a little apt attached.

ANOTHER OPTION FOR BUSINESS AIR TRAVEL - PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO CRUISE TRAVEL. WITH REGENTS FREE AIR OR $1000 OFF SPECIALS IT IS HARD TO BEAT BUT THIS LOOKS LIKE A GREAT OPTION. I WILL POST THIS UNDER THE AIR TOPIC AS WELL.

AS YOU KNOW B&K DOES NOT DO AIR AND WE DO NOT WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN INDIVIDUAL AIR TRAVEL OTHER THAN THAT ORGANIZED BY REGENT.

THIS COMPANY WAS REFERRED TO ME BY A REGENT EXECUTIVE AND I THOUGHT I WOULD PASS THIS ONTO EVERYONE, IT MIGHT HELP FOR ROAR OR GAME AS WELL. PARTICULARLY IF THEY CAN DO ONE WAY AIR AND USUALLY A COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN CRUISE AIR CAN DO THAT.

THIS COMPANY IS OWNED BY A NEW ZEALANDER AND DOES THE AIR TRAVEL FOR MANY SMALLER CRUISE LINES SUCH AS SEA DREAM ETC.

I SPOKE WITH THE OWNER AND HE GAVE ME THIS EMAIL ADDRESS FOR A MAN NAMED VINCE WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD. HE SUGGESTED THAT WE ASK OUR CLIENTS TO TELL THEM THAT THEY WERE REFERRED BY BROWN AND KEENE.

THIS IS NOT "THROUGH" B&K AT ALL. YOU JUST CALL THEM DIRECTLY AND WORK WITH THEM ON YOUR NEEDS. BELOW IS THE EMAIL I RECEIVED FROM THEM.

Ngaire

Here is our information.

Global Marine Travel
+1-954-761! -9595
Toll Free 1-866-746-8872
Email for Brown & Keene clients is
vince@flygmt.com
Website www.flygmt.com

Although we can supply competitive air rates with favorable conditions within the United States the best advantage of using Global Marine Travel is for International travel and for business class seats.

Global Marine Travel,
1. Sells special air/sea airline fares which are fully refundable and changeable most without penalties
2. Able to give passengers their air details as soon as they have paid for their cruise (no waiting 30-45 days before departure to get details)
3. No extra charges for deviations or changes
4. Air details will be confirmed with 24 hours of receiving the request
5. 24 hours 7 days per week live afterhours /emergency service.
6. If flight a flight is late and the clients will miss the ship, we will get them to the next port and in most cases if it is an airline delay
the! re will be no extra charges
7. We accept several forms of payment, credit cards, company checks

Thanks, Ngaire. The best BA rate is 7000. The rate goes up to $13000 for two for one, but you only get half the miles. The K&D rate is the same (could actually be $1000 less with all the miles).

Try that new company as well Andi and see what they come up with.

The AMX two for one, often the first ticket is so high it is not the best deal. It all depends, I also know sometimes it is the best option.

BA economy plus might be the most sensible option. It is over fairly quickly it is a LOT of money to buy business. There is more room in that class for Dougs long legs. I never have bought business I only fly elite classes if I can do it with miles.

I just got the first leg DFW to HEATHROW today First Class. Trying tomorrow for Heathrow to JNB. We are going in early to check out some new properties before ROAR so at least we are not competing for the frequent flyer tickets.

Another option to consider is the improved Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy. Virgin flies to both Capetown and JNB from London. It's basically the same as a US domestic 1st class seat. Here's their website touting the new product:

http://alotmorespace.com/menu

I got air into LHR and then into Cape Town. I want to go to JNB and that is usually easier to get. Go figure. Will keep trying for JNB

Ngaire, does this allow a stop over in JNB in route to CPT and get around the 44 lb. weight restriction?

John, Peter & Marc, regarding this flyer expert site....I see there is a fee to join. Is this good for occassional travelers like us or is it geared to frequent business travelers? Do you have to know what all the ticket codes mean (L,M.Z,K etc.) I don't know any of those!

I just contacted Global mArine Travel.
They can only do flights in conjunction with cruises. They are not allowed to book for a land-only trip.

Contacted Virgin Air again - told I cannot book until Oct 19 for the flight TO CPT, and cannot book the return until Nov. 1.


Did get a kick out of that link though. :D I don't know that they could get away with tha if they were a US-based airline.

The BA World Traveller Plus rate from BOS is over $4K more than we paid last year, which is insane. John, thanks for the Virgin Atlantic idea - it would be just over $1K more than we paid last year.

Sorry about that Global Marine company. I knew they specialized in cruise air but did not know they did ONLY cruise air.

Marcie my flight is direct London to CPT. Then we are taking a CPT to JNB flight. This is for ROAR and I wont have anywhere near 44lbs of luggage each so no worries here for me. So did not ask the question about a layover and retaining the luggage allowance.

I read the SAA website for luggage restrictions. Cant understand it - I must be jet lagged it was so unclear. I looked at the smaller planes doing domestic routes, South African Express.

It said for economy in the "weight concept" 44lbs per person but then also said "piece concept" two checked bags per person with weight of 23 kilos (46lbs) per bag. THat would 98lbs of luggage!!!

Anyone can read this more clearly than me?? Peter where are you?? I always find everything to do with the airlines so unclear.

http://www.saexpress.co.za/travel-info.html#bagage

SAA fares are insane, I thought last year when I paid 11K for RT Biz it couldn't get any worse.
Direct flights into CPH open in June on Delta from ATL.

RT SAA are $7500 from NY. I think that is horrible enough. Ngaire's K&D contact had BA prices at $6500 business class from NY. Two for one deals come out at about $13000 for two.

Andi, It was a 2 for 1 on SAA last year thru AMEX plat.

Whew! I though that was just for one person. I wish I could find a deal that great this year on SAA.It is 14000.

We are concerned about air too. Using our Delta miles for Business class. One of us will get a free ticket 120,000 miles and the other will have to pay for M class coach and upgrade with 50,000 miles to Business. Quoted about $3500 for the M class coach to Joburg for one. Hope we can pull it off. We are coming all the way from the West Coast, so add on 5 more hours than you New Yorkers. We are a little flexible on our days of travel though. See what happens in a week or two. I wish Delta would commit to the Cape Town flights and start booking. I called and they said IF and WHEN (they have no idea). Heard from others that they will start flights June 3rd. Let's all keep looking for deals!

You can always book the air to Johannesburg now and if the Cape Town flights open up later on just change over to the new flight. Dont know the rules with Delta but probably a fee to make the change but may be well worth it.

Delta from Atlanta is the way to go if you can get it. Wish we had Delta miles we are using American miles and have to go via London Heathrow.

God Love you Ngaire for being able to handle these long flights back and forth to So. Africa as you do!! The flight from Atlanta to JNB is 18 hr. 25 min. I would die being cooped in a plane for that long!

My longest flight thus far was 12 hr non-stop from LAX to Tokyo, in coach, in a middle seat! Not a pretty picture! :ohmy:

Marcie anything shorter than 10 hours I find harder than the long flights. When they are long I "settle in". When they are short I am impatient to get there.

I need at least 9 - 10 hours. 4 hours to eat and watch a couple of movies and 4 hours to sleep, best to have 2 hour awake after ambien before landing (another movie) - that equals 9 - 10 hours.

The 5 - 6 hours are the hardest. Not enough time to eat, movie watch and sleep. So I forgo the sleep and it is not as good.

Did coach in the second to back row in the middle on South African airways on the long 19 hour flight. I survived. They had such a good movie selection. This is the only time I get to watch movies so I really dont mind the flying.

I prefer a long flight to a connection. The airports, security and waiting time is what tires me out. Put me on a plane and get me there - much easier. That is why I would rather go Delta or South African airways if possible.

I prefer the long flights, too, vs connections - I dread the airports etc - that being said, I think biz is way to go to CPT - easier said than done it seems - I think Olivia flew coach to SA but plane was not full so she could stretch out and sleep in an empty row - that was luck!

I too hate making connections. Now that we're retired, what works best for us is to do a 3 day stopover en-route so we're really away from airport and planes,like a mini-vacation thrown in the middle.

Ngaire - you survived because you are petite. :)
Those of us that are Jolly Green Giants need leg and stretch room. :mecry: