Never seen this happen on SAA between USA and JNB. Not saying it hasn't just saying I've never seen it or been offered it (and I've asked).

Frankly jbb, it sounds to me like you bought a new ticket and had to pay at least some of the higher fare rather than buying an "upgrade" (a la what many US carriers offer at checkin). But, of course, I wasn't there.

With SAA, its a TIA thing. I doubt you'd have the opportunity to do this or that they'd have a policy, plan, process in place to do it for you but for either (a) an outright bribe to the check in rep or (b) as I mentioned, reticketing into the higher class of service.

He'll manage. I have. Dozens of times. Alone. With kids. Without. With spouse. Without. Drinking. Not drinking. Smoking (not on the plane of course). Not smoking. Etc. Whether in first or business or coach, the point is to get there, not the flight itself.