Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - SAA ORD-LHR-JNB Award Seats

My wife and I are going to SA for vacation in October. I fly all the time on United and I used my miles to get two first class seats to South Africa. The only seats available went thru LHR which is not a problem since we can go around London for a few hours.

I set everything up in March. Our printed tickets were issued for class XF on UAL to and from ORD-LHR and class O to and from LHR-JNB on SAA. The LHR-JNB flights were on a 747-400. I even got assigned seats from SAA. In May, the aircraft was changed to an a340-600 and we were re-assigned to class I since it does not have a first class.

Now 2 weeks ago the aircraft was switched back to a 747-400 for the flight from LHR to JNB. They have not switched our seats back to class O. When I called on it they originally told me that we were always booked in class I. When I pointed out the printed tickets saying class O, they now say I will have to wait to be upgraded. Between LHR-JNB there are 2 flights which take off about approximately an hour apart. I was also told I would be put on a wait list to be switched on the other flights so we can have first class on both flights.

I have a couple of questions:

1. How good is SAA when they say they will upgrade you but to be patient. They said it usually does not happen until a couple of days before the flight.

2. There is another flight to and from LHR-JNB that is a 747-400. What are the odds that I actually get switched and upgraded?

3. Is there someone better to talk to then SAA USA Office?

I figured the best thing I have going for me is the printed ticket which say class O.

I want to get things set for my Wife and I. I like to have everything all set in advance.

Any advice or ideas?

Thanks

Any advice or ideas?


It's pretty common for the aircraft changes on that route (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=654675). When your LHR-JNB flight originally changed to the A340 they really should have switched you to the other JNB flight that night (since one of the JNB flights is always a 747). I've been switched btw 747s before only then later to find the original flight is put back to the 747. I was succesful in getting my original flights restored (but unlike you, I hadn't had a class downgrade so it may have been simpler). My booking was though bmi and all the dealings with SAA was though them, and they in turn contacted SAA to confirm the changes I required.

When I've had rewards directly with SAA, I have found them a bit less flexible in making changes to my tickets due to aircraft changes.

In your case I imagine you would need to be dealing with UA to get them to make the required changes with SAA - not sure if SAA would help directly, but you could always try. Since your flights are from LHR you could always try calling the SAA Voyager office in London - I've previously dealt with a lady called Pat there who was pretty helpful. They should be well aware of the aircraft change situation and may assist you further.