Help Needed! Where to instead of South Africa?
Nov 25, 2021, 5:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 681
Help Needed! Where to instead of South Africa?
Family of 5 adults, 2 tweens, a toddler and an infant.
We used 2 x GGL redemptions plus various companion vouchers for 8 x CW flights to CPT across the two flights. Obviously they will come back on a FTV but getting away this Christmas looks pretty hopeless. We have a fairly wide window from 15/12 - 7/1 and can split across two flights. I don't even mind paying cash for some of the tickets. But I'm struggling to find availability to any way hot and a little bit luxurious during that window.
All suggestions greatly appreciated.
We used 2 x GGL redemptions plus various companion vouchers for 8 x CW flights to CPT across the two flights. Obviously they will come back on a FTV but getting away this Christmas looks pretty hopeless. We have a fairly wide window from 15/12 - 7/1 and can split across two flights. I don't even mind paying cash for some of the tickets. But I'm struggling to find availability to any way hot and a little bit luxurious during that window.
All suggestions greatly appreciated.
Nov 25, 2021, 6:29 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: BA Gold, Avis President
Posts: 438
Riyadh...going there on Saturday myself...
Unusual destination, a great deal to see if you enjoy 4X4 rides in the desert and archaeological stuff with rock carvings that rival Petra...
Beaches down in Jeddah
Worked there for several years...
Chris
Unusual destination, a great deal to see if you enjoy 4X4 rides in the desert and archaeological stuff with rock carvings that rival Petra...
Beaches down in Jeddah
Worked there for several years...
Chris
Nov 25, 2021, 6:43 pm
#5
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,968
Nov 25, 2021, 6:52 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,969
Thanks looks like the ban is only until hotel quarantine is ready. I wonder what happens to those of us who will transit LHR later in dec. Probably better to look at alternatives as well. Saudi Arabia sounds fun.
Nov 25, 2021, 6:58 pm
#7
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,968
previously arrivals from red list could transit, but I am sure we will get a definitive answer soon.
Nov 25, 2021, 7:18 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,595
I appreciate it's controversial and I don't know how I'd feel about it but given your position or it how it might affect your travel insurance but what about still heading to ZA via Mauritius (Comair fly MRU-JNB) then heading back to Mauritius on the way back for 10 days R&R before flying back to the UK? This is assuming Mauritius is still welcoming ZA arrivals given the latest developments. I think the main problem you're going to face regardless to wherever you look at going is getting enough seats for such a large party over peak season at such short notice. Try returning before new year and you might just get lucky - the flights are pretty much zeroed out for returning from anywhere "hot and sunny" after 01JAN for about 10 days. 1-2 seats here or there maybe but for 8 seats, forget it.
Last edited by 1Aturnleft; Nov 25, 2021 at 7:27 pm
Nov 25, 2021, 7:22 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
Nov 25, 2021, 9:41 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 1
Slightly off topic (apologies OP) but wanted to see if anyone could help me with the following!
Currently in SA and the return leg of a 2-4-1 flight in CW has been cancelled. Wanted to see what I should do in terms of the cancelled flight? Can you get half a companion voucher credited? Or should I just rebook for a random date in the future?
Fingers crossed new travel plans mean I get back to the UK eventually. Although not looking forward to potential (hotel) quarantine…
Currently in SA and the return leg of a 2-4-1 flight in CW has been cancelled. Wanted to see what I should do in terms of the cancelled flight? Can you get half a companion voucher credited? Or should I just rebook for a random date in the future?
Fingers crossed new travel plans mean I get back to the UK eventually. Although not looking forward to potential (hotel) quarantine…
Nov 25, 2021, 11:02 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Raleigh-Durham
Programs: HH Diamond; Marriott Gold; AA Platinum
Posts: 758
my worry as well… we are transiting through LHR on the 23rd of Dec
Nov 25, 2021, 11:25 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,115
I appreciate it's controversial and I don't know how I'd feel about it but given your position or it how it might affect your travel insurance but what about still heading to ZA via Mauritius (Comair fly MRU-JNB) then heading back to Mauritius on the way back for 10 days R&R before flying back to the UK? This is assuming Mauritius is still welcoming ZA arrivals given the latest developments. I think the main problem you're going to face regardless to wherever you look at going is getting enough seats for such a large party over peak season at such short notice. Try returning before new year and you might just get lucky - the flights are pretty much zeroed out for returning from anywhere "hot and sunny" after 01JAN for about 10 days. 1-2 seats here or there maybe but for 8 seats, forget it.
Nov 26, 2021, 12:04 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London
Programs: BAEC-GGL, GFL, *A Gold, Hilton Diamond , IHG Diamond/Ambassador
Posts: 244
I had to scrub a similar family trip to Japan after their 8 November changes turned out to be more restrictive when documented than expected.
I considered Phuket, Florida, Jordan and Mexico but in the end decided t o stay in UK with a mini trip for some of us to Florida for food and sun.
I considered Phuket, Florida, Jordan and Mexico but in the end decided t o stay in UK with a mini trip for some of us to Florida for food and sun.