JNB-CPT return flights on whose metal?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
Programs: AAdv GLD(MM), QF LTS, UA MP_nada, HH Gld, SPG, GoldenCircle Jade
Posts: 4,472
JNB-CPT return flights on whose metal?
During my visit to Sth Africa I am looking at booking a return JNB-CPT flight. I see BA/Comair and SA fly the route - any others?
For a short flight like this any significant difference between the two i should be aware of (eg on time reliability, service, etc) or does it bascially come down to price? I'm assuming the mile accrual on either (I have OW and *A membership) will be inconsequential in Y anyway.
For a short flight like this any significant difference between the two i should be aware of (eg on time reliability, service, etc) or does it bascially come down to price? I'm assuming the mile accrual on either (I have OW and *A membership) will be inconsequential in Y anyway.
#2
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
I would pick BA/Comair in Y if there isn't much in it pricewise. If you have 6500 Avios (12750 for J) then you only need to pay the RFS fee on BA.
Kulula (also run by Comair) and Mango are LCCs which both provide a reasonable no-frills service.
Kulula (also run by Comair) and Mango are LCCs which both provide a reasonable no-frills service.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
If you are indifferent to miles earning you should consider some of the LCCs: Kulula (which belongs to Comair) and Mango (which belongs to SAA). There is also Safair which is offering very aggressive fares currently.
You will also be offered options using fewer Avios and more money. These are invariably excellent value - unless you are literally drowning in Avios.
You will also be offered options using fewer Avios and more money. These are invariably excellent value - unless you are literally drowning in Avios.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
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Just booked JNB to VictFalls on BA/Comair. It was 9000 + $50US each way in "first/business" using Avios. No idea what service we should expect.
Unable to do advance seat selection.
Unable to do advance seat selection.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
JNB-CPT return flights on whose metal?
You get lounge access to the excellent SLOW lounge at JNB and good standard of catering and service on board.
You get free seat selection if you hold Oneworld status otherwise it is available to all at OLCI.
You get free seat selection if you hold Oneworld status otherwise it is available to all at OLCI.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072
By status, I assume you mean more than the entry level. Only status above entry I have is with Skyteam. Thanks
#9
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
The Kulula flights can be very cheap.
I bought the JNB-CPT, and CPT-JNB flights on Kulula flight number and they are only 718 Rand each way. With the exchange rate between 15.5 to 16.5 (fluctuate pretty widely), the final posted charge to our Citicard was $91ish for 2 persons each way. This compares to 6500 avios + $44 USD per person, meaning the Kulula ticket is only a buck or so more than the $44 USD cash portion but you save 6500 avios.
However if you buy the BA flight number, the ticket price is 3x the Kulula flight number, and the planes are almost identical except for the livery.
On TripAdvisor forum people said if Kulula flight is delayed they would put people on BA flight as both are operated by Comair.
Kulula flight does not earn anything and BA flight earns Avios or other oneworld currency. But do you really want to pay 300% to earn those Avios?
I bought the JNB-CPT, and CPT-JNB flights on Kulula flight number and they are only 718 Rand each way. With the exchange rate between 15.5 to 16.5 (fluctuate pretty widely), the final posted charge to our Citicard was $91ish for 2 persons each way. This compares to 6500 avios + $44 USD per person, meaning the Kulula ticket is only a buck or so more than the $44 USD cash portion but you save 6500 avios.
However if you buy the BA flight number, the ticket price is 3x the Kulula flight number, and the planes are almost identical except for the livery.
On TripAdvisor forum people said if Kulula flight is delayed they would put people on BA flight as both are operated by Comair.
Kulula flight does not earn anything and BA flight earns Avios or other oneworld currency. But do you really want to pay 300% to earn those Avios?
#11
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
Correction: you can now earn Avios on Kulula using Avios.com. The earning rate is 3 Avios per R10 spent.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
Correction: you can now earn Avios on Kulula using Avios.com. The earning rate is 3 Avios per R10 spent.
#15
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Join Date: Sep 2003
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