Transfer in JNB with two separated bookings
I will arrive JNB by Air China and transfer onto VFA by SAA with different bookings of the airlines. I will have no checked bags.
My question is, after I get into the international transition area, will the SAA help desk be able to issue me the boarding pass for the onward flight to VFA? The SAA reservation rep told me, since I am on different tickets, I will have to go to SAA regular check-in counter for check-in, where is outside the boarder control that takes time as well as needs to go through the custom & immigration twice. Confused.
Also, my trip is USA->JNB(transfer)->VFA->JNB(sightseeing)->USA. I have only three fully blank pages left in my passport (some space in other pages). Is this good enough for this trip? I am a US citizen and don't need visa for SA and can be issued a landing visa for Zimbabwe.
Thanks in advance!
Chao