cuna84

Hi Ladies and Gents,
Very long time lurker here and only now posting (slightly selfish in terms of now needing advice)! My lovely fiancé and I will be off to Cape Town 2 weeks today (24th Feb) for honeymoon, flying back from Johannesburg on the 9th March. When I booked I wasn't aware of the ex eu trick etc so missed out there, we are currently travelling WTP which is a little luxury to start our trip! I have read many, many differing bits of advice when it comes to searching/receiving that all elusive upgrade etc, I know it "generally" is completely random though some people could argue that since we are new to the BA executive club, they may try to "hook" us with the magic beep etc, others say it is completely irrevant. Are there any bits of advice re when we get to the airport, do we online check in (already have assigned seats after paying), or wait until the airport, mention re honeymoon, but don't ask tends to be the consensus, our registrar has said take your marriage certificate in case they demand proof etc! Anyhow I know the best attitude and one which we both are taking is expect nothing and then you won't be disappointedly! In addition to this pre flight stuff, I was hoping any of you kind people people could post tips here both on how to maximise our experience whilst we are in Cape Town and the Winelands region.
Cue welcome from CorporateWageSlave (hopefully) and fingers crossed many tit bits of advice and tips!

Andrew

Magic01273

Well - congratulations and welcome (sorry, not CWS...but wanted to say hello anyway).

Personally, I'm highly doubtful about the tactic of subtly mentioning it being your honeymoon. I suspect most check-in agents have heard it all before, many times - and rarely (if ever) will this elicit a complimentary upgrade these days, in my view.

But conventional wisdom suggests you should check in early, online and avoid booking special meals in order to up your chances for an operational upgrade.

Good luck - and well done for seemingly having the right attitude. Expect to fly in WT+, check in online at T-24hrs and prey to your choice of deities.

BA235

Dear Andrew,

Congratulations on your forthcoming nuptials.

I shall offer just one suggestion (the number of things to do in South Africa would fill the page).

In Franschoek is a winery/restaurant called Maison. If you like good wine, delicious food, wonderful architecture, beautiful views and good service you shouldn't be disappointed. I go every time I'm in the Cape and have never been let down.

: )

cuna84

Wow, what swift responses! Many thanks for the congratulations, not surely fiancé feels the same :-), point taken re mentioning at check in, I can just see the rolling of eyes now from said check in agent, 500th honeymoon claim today! We will just be our usual polite selves and leave it at that! On the Franschoek comment we are staying there for 2 nights (Le Quartier Francais) so will definitely bear that recommendation in mind!

johnston21

Don't check-in your valuables/sentimental purchases upon your rtn from JNB.

Internaut

Yes. Assume a hand (I'm told it's a single expert hand) will find its way into your checked in bag. Also, it's not really worth locking the case. The weak point of case is the two little bits of of the ziplock that your padlock threads through. I've had £300 Samsonite bag (with nothing worth half-inching) badly damaged, just so a hand can get inside.

Sorry for the negativity, but forewarned is forearmed. My other security tip is to try and have everything of value in a singe bag inside your hand luggage (a Tesco carrier will do), so you can speedily remove everything in the event of a gate check*.

Oh, and Cape Town is wonderful; so utterly different, in just about every way, to Johannesburg.

* I got caught out while trying not to get caught out.

SaraJH

Hi Andrew,

Congrats on your forthcoming wedding and honeymoon. I am by no means a frequent flyer but all I will say is expect to enjoy WTP and have a great flight, if you get upgraded then all the better. Please do mention on the outbound that it's your honeymoon, you may get an extra glass of fizz!

Think about the fab honeymoon you are going to have with your newly intended, the flight is the means to the end. I'm very jealous as i would love to go to SA.

Please do report back and let us know how you got on.

Calchas

Welcome back!

Congratulations! Enjoy.

Do not order a special meal
Do online check in early
Be lucky.

An op up is quite unlikely especially on this route. If you have Avios to spend a CW seat may pop up a few hours before OLCI opens so check that.

If you need a special meal it's obviously better to order one than go hungry in WTP.

No such luck, unfortunately you've had his lacklustre stand-in.

cuna84

My continued thanks for all your help, I am typing in my iPhone so not savy with all the quoting different parts of posts! I have heard and read many stories of Johannesburg airport and how things mysteriously go missing, I'm told shrink wrap is advisable, though if any is left after my wife has become sick of me is another matter . Re your Cape Town v Johannesburg comment, Internaut, we are only transiting through Johannesburg on the way back, Safari lodge to Johannesburg to LHR. I will possibly mention onboard re honeymoon, a glass of fizz always goes down well! Re upgrade, I do understand its a busy route and will be even more so now Virgin are pulling out! Stats for the flight currently are : 0 Connections
BA 59 0 LHR
02/24/15 8:10 PM CPT
02/25/15 9:40 AM 744
Daily
77% / 19m F7 A6 J9 C9 D9 R9 I6 W9 E9 T8 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G9

From my very amateur interpretation, BA are still willing to sell a fair few tickets!

Corpt

Le Quartier Francais and its restaurants are excellent.

My other recommendation in Franschhoek would be Reuben's, one of the best meals we've ever had.

littlefish

CPT is indeed a long flight, so WT+ a good call. Looks like you may luck out and not be in a full WT+ cabin anyhow. I'd be kinda tempted to try for a bulkhead pair at t-72 or thereabouts. Highly likely to be a 52J too, so the WT+ cabin just aft of F. All good.

As to the Cape ... all good advice above. Just to add, its a honeymoon so no need to dash around trying to fit too much in, take it slow and savour the areas you are in and go with the instincts on the day. The local wine is excellent and Cap Classique is their top-end local sparkling (and quite fun to pick a winery visit which specialises in Cap Classique).
Take a decent camera for the Safari and back-up your pictures.

DrBernardo

Another Franschhoek eating recommendation - La Petite Ferme. Make sure you reserve in advance.

And for a really nice, slightly off the beaten path winery (and restaurant) there, I recommend Moreson...

worldtraveller73

I would take a day to visit the Cape Point. The lighthouse view is not to be missed

Franschoek is fabulous. I found Le Quartier Francais a bit too over the top for my tastes but te Test Kitchen in Cape Town is well worth a visit- even for lunch.

Enjoy. Be safe. It's a special place.

Stuckdowntheback

+1 La Petite Ferme. Wonderful food and drink in stunning surroundings for very reasonable cost. Get a taxi from your hotel though as it's a little out of town

cuna84

Many thanks again for the help, CPT is indeed a long flight and I would imagine even longer when 6ft 7in (which I am!) though I have already been to Australia twice and Ecuador once so I'm not a long haul virgin! Looks like my interpretation of the numbers is correct then with lots of tickets available, though I am aware that there is no correlation between tickets and seats available. I have read conflicting views on bulkhead seats that there is extra legroom but also its more restricted as you can't stretch out under the seat in front (within reason). I fear its academic anyway as there aren't 2 seats together in row 12 and 11j is taken and 11k is blocked (not a gold member). All these recommendations for things to see and do are much appreciated, we are in Cape Town for 5 nights, staying at the Cape Grace, which I'm told is great location wise