Delta sky miles to RSA

[bullofthewoods]

Has anyone used sky miles to get to RSA?  I was looking at Delta's site a week ago and found a sky saver (80,000 miles) ticket.  Tonight all I could find were sky choice (160,000 miles.)  Any ideas?

[paleFace]

i can't speak for Delta's flight to africa, but when i caught a connecting flight from NY back to VA on Delta it was the pits. SAA (south african air) on the other hand was great imo. anything you wanted to eat or drink (at no additional charge)and they did everything they could to make you as comfortable as possible. if the flight won't cost you anything if you use your miles, then i guess it would be worth it. it would give you about 1500-2000 extra to put towards your animals.

[8th Dwarf]

Here's what I can tell you...

I used Delta Skymiles this July to fly FREE, BUSINESS CLASS on SAA to Namibia.  Now they don't work with SAA anymore.

However, Delta will be flying to S.A. starting in December.  I just called in and got three FREE BUSINESS CLASS tickets to go there next July.  My wife and I had enough miles to do this.

You need to contact them 331 days ahead of your desired travel date in order to have a good chance at getting the free tickets.  I used 120,000 Delta miles per free business class ticket.  The crazy thing is: I can't book my return until 331 days before that date.  So I have to be up at midnight on October 1 and call then.  

If you redeem for this trip, call in and say OVERSEAS travel and then you won't get some "Jabber-Jabber" in India who can't speak English and can't book tickets for beans!  And, YES, I am politically INCORRECT!

Too Short

[Ray Hammond]

Paul,
the flights from Atlanta arrive in Joburg at 345pm. If I need to be there in the A.M. for my ride to pick me up...does that mean I need to STAY in the airport overnight for safety reasons?

Is hotel shuttle service available? Is it reliable? I'm not paranoid...but travel outside the states, to a place where reports of robbery and worse are pretty commonplace...well it does give one pause. And I cannot pack my sidearm on the trip, you know?

[8th Dwarf]

Yeah, Ray, I just noticed that myself.  I checked our itinerary for next July.

Can you believe these jerks at Delta?  I was able to book three, FREE, business class tickets TO jo-burg, but NOT back!!!!  I have to wait until September 13 and call Delta at midnight in Atlanta to get the returns!  Sheesh!

We stay at the Holiday Inn right beside the airport.  They have a shuttle van.  They have a nice restaurant with one of the best buffets I have seen.  VERY safe and very nice.  Just don't allow anyone to touch your baggage cart unless he has the baggage handler sign on his shirt.  Get Rand before you even talk to these guys and tip him 20 Rand...no more.  They will whine and gripe, but pay them no mind.

It's actually a nice way to get a rest and a good night's sleep before moving on to the hunting area.

Cheers...

Too Short

[Ray Hammond]

Thanks, Paul. Got it covered. Appreciate the help. I had to fly in two days early, and one day later to get my free business class flights to and from..but the difference in a hotel room vs. paying for a ticket made it a no brainer.

I will take a couple extra days off to save more than 2 grand.(I wouldnt fly business class UNLESS I could do it on miles, as its 7K to purchase a two way ticket on business class!