I have been trying to vane to book flights for my brother flying from SEA to JNB in December, and myself from AMS. It seems that over the years, flights have progressivly become more and more expensive, even though the rand is now getting stronger. BA is probably laughing all the way to the bank...

I was on the telephone with a very nice lady at BAEC for about 50 minutes; we were very creative in trying all manner of itineraries, booking classes, origins, points of departure, split reservations, blah blah blah. Finally, cheapest out of SEA is US$2950 for combo of T and Y (yet having V-like fare restrictions). A few years ago, I was able to book returns in Club for same routing for a little over US$4000.

The nice lady then informs that BA has done away with high and low season fares to SA... it's now apparently ALWAYS high season. How wonderful for BA. She found a fare partially in Club for only $1000 above the Y price.

Is it only me, or have SA fares simply become horrendous and unreasonable? It makes sense for BA... the charge what they want and still the birds fly full, but flying several times a year to Southern Africa is beginning to stretch the budget.

Has anyone any suggestions or help in getting a decently priced itinerary out of SEA and AMS to JNB (departing middle December returning beginning of January)? I am fearful for prospects of having to fly in the back of a 400 hour SAA flight with a fun fuel stop on some rock in the Atlantic.