TR: Namibia, South Africa and Israel - A lengthy journey

[Daver6]

Hi all,

Creating this as a place holder where I'll try to update as I go with some pictures, flight and hotel reviews. Booked with trip as a OWE 280k J trip flying a mixture of QF, BA (Comair), QR and RJ. Holiday commences on 29th May and away for roughly a month.

Sadly the longest sector, SYD - JNB is only in Y+ At the time of booking SWMBO was a WP but they still couldn't release J seats. She is no longer WP (although at the time of booking they did say call back and they can try releasing again, but the good old call centre aren't interested in playing nicely). If someone can check J availability on QF 63 on Sat 30th May, that would be good

Also, we have AMM -> DOH in Y, but that's only a two hour sector. On the plus side, as it currently stands the flight from PER to SYD is in the new J.

The main reason for this trip is my brothers wedding. Namibia seemed on the way (yes I know) and I've always wanted to visit.

Happy to take questions about anything I don't specifically mention.

Flights as booked:
PER - SYD QF (overnight at the Rydges airport)
SYD - JNB QF (overnight at the Southern Sun O R Tambo)
JNB - WDH BA (10 nights in Namiba)
WDH - JNB BA (over night at Hilton Sandton. Needed to convert this transit to a stop to not break fare rules)
JNB - CPT BA
CPT - JNB BA
JNB - DOH (QR) DOH - AMM - TLV (RJ)
TLV - AMM (RJ) AMM - DOH - PER (QR)

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Subscribed & waiting for more with keen interest

I've Taken QF 63 twice now, once in Y & once in Y+ & loved the journey on both occasions despite the length of the flight.

Don't fall asleep halfway through the flight..... Some nice Antarctic ice sheets could be seen from below

Really pleased that your heading to Namibia ..... A country many people skip on their African Safari & is a visual feast in every corner on the nation.

No doubt your heading to Sossusvlei.... brace yourself for some of the world's most spectacular photographic opportunities.

Is this your first time to Africa by any chance?

 

[Daver6]

Subscribed & waiting for more with keen interest

I've Taken QF 63 twice now, once in Y & once in Y+ & loved the journey on both occasions despite the length of the flight.

Don't fall asleep halfway through the flight..... Some nice Antarctic ice sheets could be seen from below

Really pleased that your heading to Namibia ..... A country many people skip on their African Safari & is a visual feast in every corner on the nation.

No doubt your heading to Sossusvlei.... brace yourself for some of the world's most spectacular photographic opportunities.

Is this your first time to Africa by any chance?

Staying awake should be easy. I don't easily sleep unless my body says its night time

Correct. Going to Etosha, Swakopmund and Sossusvlei.

First time to Namibia. Actually spent the first 8 years or so of my life in JNB and have visited Cape Town on a couple of occasions.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Staying awake should be easy. I don't easily sleep unless my body says its night time

Correct. Going to Etosha, Swakopmund and Sossusvlei.

First time to Namibia. Actually spent the first 8 years or so of my life in JNB and have visited Cape Town on a couple of occasions.

Awesome....

Yeh you'll love Etosha NP..... I did a night safari ( organised & operated by the Park rangers) ...... All I can say .... Amazing!

The ability to see all the wildlife roaming around at night was an experience I'll never forget.

Etosha was my first experience seeing a pack of Hyena's feasting on a kill at night...... That was a surreal experience lets just say.

Hopefully you'll get a refurbed 747 on your way out on QF63 ( the Refurbed birds are now quite prevalent, but not always) .

The PE cabin is actually nice & intimate too.

Question for you.... Are you travelling in Y or J on BA/comair ?

 

[Daver6]

Awesome....

Yeh you'll love Etosha NP..... I did a night safari ( organised & operated by the Park rangers) ...... All I can say .... Amazing!

The ability to see all the wildlife roaming around at night was an experience I'll never forget.

Etosha was my first experience seeing a pack of Hyena's feasting on a kill at night...... That was a surreal experience lets just say.

Hopefully you'll get a refurbed 747 on your way out on QF63 ( the Refurbed birds are now quite prevalent, but not always) .

The PE cabin is actually nice & intimate too.

Question for you.... Are you travelling in Y or J on BA/comair ?

QF 63 is currently refurb. I dont think it makes too much difference of Y+. Still hoping to get J.

BA/Comair is all J.

 

[JohnM]

Hi all,

Creating this as a place holder where I'll try to update as I go with some pictures, flight and hotel reviews. Booked with trip as a OWE 280k J trip flying a mixture of QF, BA (Comair), QR and RJ. Holiday commences on 29th May and away for roughly a month.

Sadly the longest sector, SYD - JNB is only in Y+ At the time of booking SWMBO was a WP but they still couldn't release J seats. She is no longer WP (although at the time of booking they did say call back and they can try releasing again, but the good old call centre aren't interested in playing nicely). If someone can check J availability on QF 63 on Sat 30th May, that would be good

Also, we have AMM -> DOH in Y, but that's only a two hour sector. On the plus side, as it currently stands the flight from PER to SYD is in the new J.

The main reason for this trip is my brothers wedding. Namibia seemed on the way (yes I know) and I've always wanted to visit.

Happy to take questions about anything I don't specifically mention.

Flights as booked:
PER - SYD QF (overnight at the Rydges airport)
SYD - JNB QF (overnight at the Southern Sun O R Tambo)
JNB - WDH BA (10 nights in Namiba)
WDH - JNB BA (over night at Hilton Sandton. Needed to convert this transit to a stop to not break fare rules)
JNB - CPT BA
CPT - JNB BA
JNB - DOH (QR) DOH - AMM - TLV (RJ)
TLV - AMM (RJ) AMM - DOH - PER (QR)

Here you go:

QF 63 0 SYD JNB 744 Unavailable J9 C2 D0 I0 W8 R2 T0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M0 L0 G0 E0
30/05/15 9:50 30/05/15 16:10 56% / 31m


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[Daver6]

Here you go:

QF 63 0 SYD JNB 744 Unavailable J9 C2 D0 I0 W8 R2 T0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M0 L0 G0 E0
30/05/15 9:50 30/05/15 16:10 56% / 31m


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Is my reading of that correct in saying there are 11 free seats in J then?

 

[smit0847]

Is my reading of that correct in saying there are 11 free seats in J then?

Even if there is I dont believe QF release unsold J seats as classic awards last minute - they give them all to the upgrade lottery.

 

[Daver6]

Even if there is I dont believe QF release unsold J seats as classic awards last minute - they give them all to the upgrade lottery.

I pretty much expected as much. Just be nice to know if they are actually truthful about it or lie when I call up to ask

 

[JohnM]

Is my reading of that correct in saying there are 11 free seats in J then?

Not necessarily - what it means, as far as I understand it, is there are at least 9 seats in the J fare bucket and at least 2 in the C fare bucket. Given that they never show more than 9 in any bucket, it is conceivable that there are more J-bucket seats (ie. which could be a good thing - except that you are on redemptions and the UPG lottery will look at paid seats, I presume.)

 

[Daver6]

I don't suppose a mod/admin type person could kindly fix my typo in the thread title please?

 

[LadyC]

Enjoy Namibia - the gentleman and i went there in 2013 and it was great. I look forward to reading about your experiences there.

 

[JohnM]

I don't suppose a mod/admin type person could kindly fix my typo in the thread title please?

Send a PM to Jessica Tam, Straitman or QF WP.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I pretty much expected as much. Just be nice to know if they are actually truthful about it or lie when I call up to ask

I tried to get a J award seat released last year as well and was also unsuccessful. There used to be heaps of award availability but it must have tightened up. They do sell quite a lot of discounted J on that route as well. I like Comair - much better service than SAA, although their planes are older. Nicer lounges as well.

 

[Daver6]

Another request was put in to release some J seats and denied again. Not surprised, but disappointed given so many onsold J seats. Seems they are saving them for people wanting to put in upgrade requests.

Also, now a week out I can preselect my Y+ meal. I always take a look to see what the options as there is always one option that can only be pre-ordered and not available otherwise. For this flight, its the last option, the schnitzel sandwich. I've had this in J previously going up to Tokyo and it was very very average. I certainly won't be pre-ordering that and will just make a decision at the time. The two hot options don't seem that appealing and slightly concerned that the duck salad won't keep me going for a long flight. I know, big issues

 

[Flying mermaid]

Is there a sale on? There was when I put in a request for my daughter and it did cross my mind that maybe they were waiting to see how many they sold on the sale before releasing any awards. I didn't want to take a chance so ended up just buying a J seat for her in the sale.

I agree with you about the schnitzel sandwich. I had heard good things on here about it, so had it as the before landing refreshment flying into JNB a couple of years ago. I thought it was awful!

I am looking forward to reading about Namibia.

 

[Daver6]

Is there a sale on? There was when I put in a request for my daughter and it did cross my mind that maybe they were waiting to see how many they sold on the sale before releasing any awards. I didn't want to take a chance so ended up just buying a J seat for her in the sale.

I agree with you about the schnitzel sandwich. I had heard good things on here about it, so had it as the before landing refreshment flying into JNB a couple of years ago. I thought it was awful!

I am looking forward to reading about Namibia.

I don't believe there is a sale on. Looks like J flex at ~$4500 for the outbound sector. Still many seats available.

I really can't comprehend the logic Qantas uses sometimes. If only their mantra was along the lines of "make the customer happy" or something along those lines. Oh well.

 

[TraceyK90]

We were there Jun-Jul last year. You'll have a great time.

 

[Imw]

Enjoy your trip! We did the same Syd-Jnb in March this year. We were in PE and felt we had plenty of room as such. Preordered the chicken which was quite good. We also ordered from the snack menu (cherry tomato and ricotta tart) which was delicious. So even if the meal not to your liking can still eat.
We missed seeing Antartica, I didn't sleep much but they closed the cabin like night to encourage sleep I think? I kept peeking but seemed cloudy most times.

My husband is booked same flight August 1st PE and we have put in an upgrade request to business. I can't understand the codes I keep reading (or I would join expert flyer!) so not sure if we should be hopeful or not??? If anyone can tell us how successful upgrades to business are from Pe??? (Using points for upgrade - he is qf silver)

 

[Flying mermaid]

My husband is booked same flight August 1st PE and we have put in an upgrade request to business. I can't understand the codes I keep reading (or I would join expert flyer!) so not sure if we should be hopeful or not??? If anyone can tell us how successful upgrades to business are from Pe??? (Using points for upgrade - he is qf silver)

I am not sure on that route, but my son put in for a points upgrade from discount economy to J on the syd-lax route last month. He is silver as well and he was successful, so don't give up hope! It is very much a function of who else has requested upgrades and their status, so impossible to know in advance. I am not a member of expert flyer either, but I used their free function to look at the seat maps in J for that flight and it actually looks 2/3 empty. I know seats maps aren't the whole story but it does look a bit hopeful.