Best Options......Santiago to Johannesburg

[Foxxy]

Hi All,

I have a business trip coming up which will consist of the following:-

BNE -> SYD -> SCL
Then a week later
SCL -> JNB O.R -> DUR
Then 2 weeks later
DUR -> JNB O.R -> SYD -> BNE

Looking for advice if I should go from Santiago to Johannesburg (no direct flights), or whether the better options is back to Sydney and then to Johannesburg. Looks ike flight time including stopovers are fairly similar. I am QANTAS Platinum FF, so would like to maxmise One World Alliance flight obviously for FF points and Status Credits.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Canny man]

Tough call
I did JNB SCL via Sao Paulo last year. It was perfectly acceptable and the SAA J product was a nice break from endless QF J. Naturally, you don't get OW points doing this route, hanging around in Sao Paulo Airport isn't that special and most of the LAN/TAM flights are cramped and Y only

Personally, I quite like the Syd/JNB route. BNE to Syd on the 6am flight gets you to Syd with enough time for breakfast and a first champagne in the Flounge. Then an upgrade to F (I'm assuming you aren't doing all this in whY) as it's a daytime route with enough time to enjoy the service. A few hours siesta and arrive at 4pm refreshed and ready to go.

 

[Foxxy]

Tough call
I did JNB SCL via Sao Paulo last year. It was perfectly acceptable and the SAA J product was a nice break from endless QF J. Naturally, you don't get OW points doing this route, hanging around in Sao Paulo Airport isn't that special and most of the LAN/TAM flights are cramped and Y only

Personally, I quite like the Syd/JNB route. BNE to Syd on the 6am flight gets you to Syd with enough time for breakfast and a first champagne in the Flounge. Then an upgrade to F (I'm assuming you aren't doing all this in whY) as it's a daytime route with enough time to enjoy the service. A few hours siesta and arrive at 4pm refreshed and ready to go.

Unfortunatley, yes, it will be in 'Y' unless I get an upgrade from QF. Our company has a draconian travel policy and if they are paying, it is cheapest fare. Crazy I know. At least if I go with QF flights, I will have the opportunity to upgrade on points if required.

 

[Canny man]

Sorry for painting the F picture so glowingly - I must sound like a spoiled prat.
I would have an argument from an HSE perspective on anything less than Y for a 14hr flight
Also, I just looked at two random dates on QF and a PE saver return is $1160 more than a flexi saver in Y ($4800 vs $3640) Syd to JNB. It's a truly draconian policy that would put a less than $1200 premium on your wellbeing and motivation.

 

[Paddy55]

Went SCL - JNB many years ago on business and the most convenient thing was to spend the weekend in RIO

This is one of those occasions where I'd highly recommend the same if you haven't been there or not, OneWorld or not! :shock:

 

[juddles]

BNE -> SYD -> SCL
Then a week later
SCL -> JNB ....
Looks ike flight time including stopovers are fairly similar. ...

Wow! Is it realy the same? Must be massive stopovers if SCL-JNB is similar to SCL-SYD-JNB. What are the connections you are looking at?

 

[markis10]

There is a 12 hour option:

LAN 445
Aircraft: Boeing 767

Connecting in Buenos Aires (BUE)

South African Airways 227
Aircraft: Airbus 340

 

[Foxxy]

Wow! Is it realy the same? Must be massive stopovers if SCL-JNB is similar to SCL-SYD-JNB. What are the connections you are looking at?

I seen some travel times of in excess of 61 hrs for the sector Santiago -> Johannesburg.

Our travel agent has come back with a 12hr option via Sao Paulo, Brazil, so this will probably be the go.

Have requested Business Class.......wish me luck

 

[Canny man]

That's a good route. The shorter SCL to SP sector is mainly economy so you can help appease the policy makers.