Flights within Africa - *Alliance Awards?

[N860CR]

I'm looking to book some flights within southern Africa. The fares are enough to make you cry!

All is on SAA/SAALink (Nelspruit to Livingstone, Muan to Cape Town, Cape Town to JNB) however the fares are enormous. The domestic CPT-JNB is fine, however the other two are ~$500 each sector.

Does anyone know (or has anyone tried) using things like LifeMiles, United etc to try booking awards for these sectors? SAA are in Star… but I don't know if it's doable? Makes me sound dumb, but my knowledge of the Star program is next to nothing.

 

[kpc]

I'm looking to book some flights within southern Africa. The fares are enough to make you cry!

All is on SAA/SAALink (Nelspruit to Livingstone, Muan to Cape Town, Cape Town to JNB) however the fares are enormous. The domestic CPT-JNB is fine, however the other two are ~$500 each sector.

Does anyone know (or has anyone tried) using things like LifeMiles, United etc to try booking awards for these sectors? SAA are in Star… but I don't know if it's doable? Makes me sound dumb, but my knowledge of the Star program is next to nothing.

When US airways were part of *alliance, I booked Cpt-Jnb-Vfa-Jnb (stop and bought separate ticket on SA Airlink from Jnb - Mqp rtn)-Cpt in J with purchased US miles as intra Africa flights were very expensive to buy. No reason you can't use Avianca Lifemiles now to book SAA flights. (Note that SA Airlink, whilst a subsidiary of SAA is not part of *Alliance (unless things have changed) so you can't book flights on SA Airlink using Avianca Lifemiles).

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Just looking myself at present for a trip that I am in the midst of planning for a trip next year.

Comair are in Oneworld via British Airways tie up.

 

[N860CR]

Unfortunately a few ports only seem to be served by SALink so I may be stuck. $1100 for 3 flights in economy (all 60-90 mins) hurts!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

BA routes are:
British Airways Comair route map

Though the Qantas search engine lists many other airports. But the extra ports may be for paid flights only (????) and not redemptions. It may pay to ring Qantas and ask.

 

[infinity]

When US airways were part of *alliance, I booked Cpt-Jnb-Vfa-Jnb (stop and bought separate ticket on SA Airlink from Jnb - Mqp rtn)-Cpt in J with purchased US miles as intra Africa flights were very expensive to buy. No reason you can't use Avianca Lifemiles now to book SAA flights. (Note that SA Airlink, whilst a subsidiary of SAA is not part of *Alliance (unless things have changed) so you can't book flights on SA Airlink using Avianca Lifemiles).

I concur with KPC, I have used Krisflyer for SAA flights and QF for BA/Comair domestic or shorthaul international Africa flights.

SAA link cant be accessed

Prices are super expensive, even when using points as the points spend is reasonable but taxes almost not worth the effort even if they are available

SA living/meal costs are cheap but on the sectors you seek these are mainly tourist so you'll get stung

Just have to budget it.

Good luck

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I concur with KPC, I have used Krisflyer for SAA flights

Looking at the SQ *A chart that would be 15K of points plus taxes per flight? (ie from anywhere within Southern Africa to anywhere in Southern Africa).

BBK

Is $Aust 420 with $152 in taxes CPT.

BBK -JNB leg is Airlink which has been indicated as not *A bookable by others.

But even if it was allowable that would be 15K for $270 = 1.8 cents per point.

Some SAA flights are not too bad.

Also www.kulula.com/ and https://www.flymango.com/ are worth a look for some flights.

 

[infinity]

Agree with checking out Kalula and Mango, but they are mainly on the key routes not necessarily where the tourist routes need to go