Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Voyager vs Krisflyer based in SA

Hello all,

I am back to my annual decision of whether to switch to Voyager from Krisflyer as I am now based in SA. I fly mostly economy but pretty frequently (about 12 trips CPT-LON). So would have the chance to do Lifetime Platinum on SAA metal. And I would get advance seat selection with gold/plat on Voyager (which is not a Star alliance benefit) which is key for me as I am in the back of the plane.

However it seems that the difference in earning levels makes this completely impractical. Checking a quick random flight on flysaa.com for CPT-LON:
W class: EUR869
T Class: EUR1061
S class: EUR1303
K class: EUR1606

W&T class earn 100% base miles accruing to Krisflyer but only 50% accruing to Voyager. So basically to get 100% for Voyager I would have to book S class for an extra EUR434. This x12 = EUR5k per year for the same amount of miles!

Additionally I get 25% bonus accrual on VS and can use the lounges when flying VS.

*sigh* looks like I will stay with Krisflyer then again this year and have to fight for the seat at the airport :)

I am no fundi on Voyager (and even less so on SQ) but...

You can get Silver status based on 3 sectors of >4000 miles - Gold for 6 sectors and platinum for 12. If I read your post correctly you will actually be doing 24 of these sectors (12 returns CPT-LON). That would make Voyager an ideal programme for you. Even if you travel on fares that attract reduced mileage, the other benefits would kick in very quickly and you would get additional tier miles to compensate - at least partially.

I'd be less worried about the miles earned than the lounge, *G status and other perks if I were travelling in Y. And from what we've heard around here, SAA really looks after their Plats. If you're planning on maintaining this pattern for any length of time I'd seriously consider Voyager.

Plus I always think it's a good principle - though certainly not an immutable one - to join the FFP of the carrier you will fly most often.

I am no fundi on Voyager (and even less so on SQ) but...

You can get Silver status based on 3 sectors of >4000 miles - Gold for 6 sectors and platinum for 12.

Unfortunalely, only sectors booked in C J Z D or Y count for this 'sector tier' trick, so that is not going to help the OP. (I just looked it up on my statement)

Cant you book ANY seats on SA on international flights without status and on cheap fares? I seem to remember that when I booked a trip for Mrs t in August (LHR/CPT), I could pick her a seat (though not emergency exit or bulkhead). She has no status (well, not with the airline, that is...:D). Maybe I am wrong, or it has changed?

Unfortunalely, only sectors booked in C J Z D or Y count for this 'sector tier' trick, so that is not going to help the OP. (I just looked it up on my statement)

Ugh! I thought there might be a snag. The web site information is so opaque these days that I couldn't see that requirement. (It really is disgraceful how little information is given. And it used to be really good!)


Cant you book ANY seats on SA on international flights without status and on cheap fares? I seem to remember that when I booked a trip for Mrs t in August (LHR/CPT), I could pick her a seat (though not emergency exit or bulkhead). She has no status (well, not with the airline, that is...:D). Maybe I am wrong, or it has changed?
I also thought seat choice was available in long-haul. But having already disgraced myself by giving misinformation I wouldn't recommend anyone taking my word for it. :o

Yip - seat selection is available on discount fares. I should have been clearer - I am 6ft4 so really the only seat that makes a difference is bulkhead or emex which is only open to pre-booking for Voyager Plats (or maybe gold).

This is something that would add huge value for me. But not for the sake of earning 50% base miles. Because then it will take 16 returns to London to get Platinum!

Yip - seat selection is available on discount fares. I should have been clearer - I am 6ft4 so really the only seat that makes a difference is bulkhead or emex which is only open to pre-booking for Voyager Plats (or maybe gold).

This is something that would add huge value for me. But not for the sake of earning 50% base miles. Because then it will take 16 returns to London to get Platinum!

If I remember correctly, Voyager Gold entitles you to book the 'premium seats' in advance (but please check with SAA, dont take my word for it asd these rules tend to change), so from that point of view switching to Voyager would have the required benefit for you. But in the end I quite understand that it is a question of balancing the pro's ans con's