BA vs. SAA CPT to JNB
Aug 8, 2019, 5:28 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,210
Aug 8, 2019, 9:10 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2017
Location: SIN
Programs: AS MVPG75k, AA Plat
Posts: 741
Aug 9, 2019, 1:47 pm
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,210
Aug 11, 2019, 7:16 am
#19
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,839
SAA generally has the better seat product, especially if you get a widebody. They also have a better schedule, in the case that you need to make a change. I don't care much for the catering on either. Unlike others, I find the FAs to be about the same - and much like North America, hit or miss.
I should add if you are on a wide body like A330 or A340 in SAA, you get lie flat seating. Because you are star alliance gold, I would recommend SAA. The experience and value you will get is far better than what you get in United. Also the SAA lounge is much nicer than any United lounge.
The SLOW Lounges are excellent though. The giant wheel of cheese alone makes it nice.
SA has the better schedule. Both are very punctual.
Aug 11, 2019, 7:28 am
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,210
The difference in price between business and economy, given the exchange rates, often isn't that much. We tend to purchase business seats when we fly that route, which is nearly every year. They also tend to be easy redemptions - even in the South African summer.
SAA generally has the better seat product, especially if you get a widebody. They also have a better schedule, in the case that you need to make a change. I don't care much for the catering on either. Unlike others, I find the FAs to be about the same - and much like North America, hit or miss.
As a UA*G, you get the SA lounge even in Y.
I completely disagree that the SAA lounges are nicer than any United Club. Better than LHR? Not a chance. Better than LAX? Nah. Better than the refurbished ORD clubs? Negative. Now, compared to the trash they offer at IAD - sure. Mostly, however, I find the newer UCs nicer than SAA lounges.
The SLOW Lounges are excellent though. The giant wheel of cheese alone makes it nice.
SA has the better schedule. Both are very punctual.
SAA generally has the better seat product, especially if you get a widebody. They also have a better schedule, in the case that you need to make a change. I don't care much for the catering on either. Unlike others, I find the FAs to be about the same - and much like North America, hit or miss.
As a UA*G, you get the SA lounge even in Y.
I completely disagree that the SAA lounges are nicer than any United Club. Better than LHR? Not a chance. Better than LAX? Nah. Better than the refurbished ORD clubs? Negative. Now, compared to the trash they offer at IAD - sure. Mostly, however, I find the newer UCs nicer than SAA lounges.
The SLOW Lounges are excellent though. The giant wheel of cheese alone makes it nice.
SA has the better schedule. Both are very punctual.
Aug 11, 2019, 8:50 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: N/A
Programs: UA 1K, BA Gold, LH/SN/LX Senator
Posts: 449
I completely disagree that the SAA lounges are nicer than any United Club. Better than LHR? Not a chance. Better than LAX? Nah. Better than the refurbished ORD clubs? Negative. Now, compared to the trash they offer at IAD - sure. Mostly, however, I find the newer UCs nicer than SAA lounges..
Aug 13, 2019, 8:21 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: BGI (ex-YYC, YYZ)
Programs: AC*G-E100K (once again)
Posts: 1,701
I never said that SAA lounges are better than any United Club. I said that the JNB domestic lounge (SAA VIA) is better than the non-Polaris United lounges. Other SAA lounges are dated. I still stand by that. For one, it has a barista making coffee, not a machine, 2) a fairly extensive bar which far exceed United Clubs in terms of wine, 3) a nice variety of food, 4) it has great views, comfy furniture and isn't anywhere nearly as over crowded as United Clubs are. What's missing?
Agreed. SAA domestic is way better than United domestic. In almost every way
Aug 14, 2019, 7:07 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
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