Originally Posted by EvilDoctorK
Some of the other carriers in SA don't (kulula.com / 1time etc.) .. I think you can purchase tickets (e-ticket) from them using any credit card
Thanks for the great tip! In the process of searching for those 2 discount carriers (neither had the flights I needed), I came across nationwide airlines, another discounter
http://www.flynationwide.co.za. You can't book w/o an SA credit card, BUT they have a US office that will book for you. Believe it or not, the US agent's prices were about 15% lower than the nationwide website's prices. This was less than half of what SAA was offering ($801 vs. $386). Downside is that the US agent does not take credit cards - only checks, money orders, etc.
Thanks