Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Any experience with *A award tickets issued by SA Voyager?

I have issued a *A award for SA to Middle East and am planning on using it to get to AMM. I was wondering what leeway in the routing will be allowed. Will I be forced to route on MS via CAI or would I be able to route via IST? The former will be a problem (apart from the airline's shortcomings) since there is zero J availability in sight. On the other hand I have enjoyed my few flights on TK and might want to tag on another visit to Turkey on the way.

My only other experience with a *A award was a fairly straightforward affair to Krabi. Anyone else have experiences in this regard?

No, my only experience with *A award bookings is a simple CPT/FRA/VIE on LH F (:cool:) in December. Booking that (via Voyager) was no problem, but that's obvious as there are no really viable alternative routings.
But please let us know what happens. I may have some travel to North Africa coming up in the near future and to fly via IST seems a much better option than via CAI!

AFAIK *Alliance has the world divided in regions and I doubt that the rules would allow you to go through IST (it must be Europe or ME in which case they would allow that routing albeit at a higher price) when going to AMM. That said, it might well be that they actually don't know about that at Voyager and let you do it. RTW's for example I have found have to be send to one certain guy in JNB for approval and checking who seems to be the only one at SAA who actually knows all the rules and limitations.

edit: if IST is located in the ME region it should work.

Unfortunately the Voyager guide clearly states that Turkey is in Europe. But I know that other FF programs allow some pretty wild routings (like LHR/JNB via BKK!) or have some rule that permits the direct route mileage plus a percentage allowance.

Guess I'll just have to ask. Maybe a few times. ;)

Unfortunately the Voyager guide clearly states that Turkey is in Europe. But I know that other FF programs allow some pretty wild routings (like LHR/JNB via BKK!) or have some rule that permits the direct route mileage plus a percentage allowance.

Guess I'll just have to ask. Maybe a few times. ;)

I have never done such a routing on a SAA award but I do know that if it were LH you would be looking at something they call a 3 region award. My assumption is that it will be the same with SA.