View Poll Results: What option would you prefer?
SFO>IAD (Y), IAD>GRU>JNB>CPT (J)
27
81.82%
SFO>FRA (Y), FRA>JNB>CPT (J)
6
18.18%
Voters: 33. You may not vote on this poll
SFO>IAD (Y), IAD>GRU>JNB>CPT (J) vs. SFO>FRA (Y), FRA>JNB>CPT (J)
Oct 20, 2017, 5:06 pm
#31
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,116
As for the new lie flat seats-- i hadn't seen they upgraded them. Last i looked/saw they were still running the old style plane on the JNB-NYC route didn't know they got newer seats/planes
Oct 20, 2017, 5:15 pm
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 126
So odd! If I try MIA>JNB, it goes through GRU or EWR>GRU (for biz saver seats).
Oct 20, 2017, 5:24 pm
#33
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,116
I'd go with the europe routing as there are a bunch of options. When we went we switched a lot.
One flight that had a lot of award availability at the time was Turkish. But right now with the visa thing you cant get those flights (or atleast they dont show up online).
We found the ZRH-JNB route in business and then build the rest of the itinerary around it since that was the hardest flight to find.
I"d start by looking at FRA-JNB and ZRH-JNB and then try to build itineraries to there
enjoy your trip-- we stayed at Madikwe Hills for 5 nights and it was amazing.
Oct 20, 2017, 7:55 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: UA Million Mile, Mileage Plus Premier 1K, SkyMiles Gold Medallion, AAdvantage Gold
Posts: 875
I voted for option A because doing SFO-FRA in Y is much worse than doing SFO-IAD in Y. The layovers might be nice with young kids. Young kids need to stretch their legs and move. In D.C., you can go to the National Mall and walk around. In Sao Paulo, you can go to the aquarium or zoo.
Oct 23, 2017, 2:46 pm
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 126
I voted for option A because doing SFO-FRA in Y is much worse than doing SFO-IAD in Y. The layovers might be nice with young kids. Young kids need to stretch their legs and move. In D.C., you can go to the National Mall and walk around. In Sao Paulo, you can go to the aquarium or zoo.
Oct 25, 2017, 1:51 pm
#37
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Plat, UA Plat 1MM, AS MVP, Hyatt Discoverist, Avis Presidents Club, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,938
We did an award trip to South Africa a few years ago with our then 9 month old and ultimately ended up taking the SA flight IAD-JNB in Economy. While there were a number of business options, the overall trip was MUCH MUCH shorter.
There is usually decent award availability in Y on South African. The challenge is that business awards on that route are notoriously difficult to come by. But I would definitely consider booking SFO-IAD-JNB -- even in economy -- given how much easier and shorter of a trip that it would be. That said, when looking at award availability for next year in June and July I don't see any availability on the IAD-JNB flights so perhaps those haven't opened up yet? You defiantly have some flexibility with your schedule so might be worth looking every day for the next month to see if something changes.
Another thing to keep in mind, UA schedules will definitely change a number of times between now and then -- so I wouldn't worry *too* much about the SFO-IAD leg if you go with that on any of your options -- a change may enable you to move to more desirable times.
Finally, you will get better results if you break up your party into 3 and 3; while perhaps less desirable (or even impossible) to travel apart, getting 6 award seats will definitely be a limitation.
There is usually decent award availability in Y on South African. The challenge is that business awards on that route are notoriously difficult to come by. But I would definitely consider booking SFO-IAD-JNB -- even in economy -- given how much easier and shorter of a trip that it would be. That said, when looking at award availability for next year in June and July I don't see any availability on the IAD-JNB flights so perhaps those haven't opened up yet? You defiantly have some flexibility with your schedule so might be worth looking every day for the next month to see if something changes.
Another thing to keep in mind, UA schedules will definitely change a number of times between now and then -- so I wouldn't worry *too* much about the SFO-IAD leg if you go with that on any of your options -- a change may enable you to move to more desirable times.
Finally, you will get better results if you break up your party into 3 and 3; while perhaps less desirable (or even impossible) to travel apart, getting 6 award seats will definitely be a limitation.
Oct 25, 2017, 2:06 pm
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 126
We did an award trip to South Africa a few years ago with our then 9 month old and ultimately ended up taking the SA flight IAD-JNB in Economy. While there were a number of business options, the overall trip was MUCH MUCH shorter.
There is usually decent award availability in Y on South African. The challenge is that business awards on that route are notoriously difficult to come by. But I would definitely consider booking SFO-IAD-JNB -- even in economy -- given how much easier and shorter of a trip that it would be. That said, when looking at award availability for next year in June and July I don't see any availability on the IAD-JNB flights so perhaps those haven't opened up yet? You defiantly have some flexibility with your schedule so might be worth looking every day for the next month to see if something changes.
Another thing to keep in mind, UA schedules will definitely change a number of times between now and then -- so I wouldn't worry *too* much about the SFO-IAD leg if you go with that on any of your options -- a change may enable you to move to more desirable times.
Finally, you will get better results if you break up your party into 3 and 3; while perhaps less desirable (or even impossible) to travel apart, getting 6 award seats will definitely be a limitation.
There is usually decent award availability in Y on South African. The challenge is that business awards on that route are notoriously difficult to come by. But I would definitely consider booking SFO-IAD-JNB -- even in economy -- given how much easier and shorter of a trip that it would be. That said, when looking at award availability for next year in June and July I don't see any availability on the IAD-JNB flights so perhaps those haven't opened up yet? You defiantly have some flexibility with your schedule so might be worth looking every day for the next month to see if something changes.
Another thing to keep in mind, UA schedules will definitely change a number of times between now and then -- so I wouldn't worry *too* much about the SFO-IAD leg if you go with that on any of your options -- a change may enable you to move to more desirable times.
Finally, you will get better results if you break up your party into 3 and 3; while perhaps less desirable (or even impossible) to travel apart, getting 6 award seats will definitely be a limitation.
Oct 25, 2017, 2:30 pm
#39
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,299
Oct 25, 2017, 3:51 pm
#40
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Plat, UA Plat 1MM, AS MVP, Hyatt Discoverist, Avis Presidents Club, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,938
And, to be fair, its not showing up in award searches for July as far as I can see -- but it DOES exist and it (along with the JFK-JNB flight) is without a doubt the fastest way to get to South Africa from North America.
Oct 30, 2017, 4:10 pm
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 126
OK, I'm checking these routes... Now I've been able to find some availability at a safari lodge that looks great for June, when their rates are about half what they would be in July or August... So, I'm trying to find biz saver flights that would leave SFO around June 8-11... making things so much harder!
Oct 30, 2017, 4:15 pm
#42
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
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Posts: 52,570
A, no question about it.
Roughing it for a transcon in Y isn't fun, but it totally beats an overnighter in Y. I get that it's longer duration, but I suspect you'll feel better during/after the journey so it might be time well spent.
Roughing it for a transcon in Y isn't fun, but it totally beats an overnighter in Y. I get that it's longer duration, but I suspect you'll feel better during/after the journey so it might be time well spent.
Nov 2, 2017, 1:41 am
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 126
Hi everyone, here's what we were finally able to book:
SEA>ORD>GRU>JNB (first two are UA, last two are SAA)
JNB>CPT (SAA)
CPT>JNB>CAI>JFK (these last two flights are on Egyptair)
We couldn't get anything to/fr the SF Bay Area with dates that would work for all of us...
When we look online now, we can find:
SFO>SEA economy saver (10k miles)
LGA>ORD>SFO or EWR>SFO but not saver...
So, here are my questions:
1. What's the best way to connect our trip to SFO or close by? Could we call to get the SFO>SEA added without charge? When we try to add online, it wants 10k.
2. How to get from JFK back home?
3. The six of us are currently on 4 reservations. Can they still not connect reservations?
Many thanks!!
SEA>ORD>GRU>JNB (first two are UA, last two are SAA)
JNB>CPT (SAA)
CPT>JNB>CAI>JFK (these last two flights are on Egyptair)
We couldn't get anything to/fr the SF Bay Area with dates that would work for all of us...
When we look online now, we can find:
SFO>SEA economy saver (10k miles)
LGA>ORD>SFO or EWR>SFO but not saver...
So, here are my questions:
1. What's the best way to connect our trip to SFO or close by? Could we call to get the SFO>SEA added without charge? When we try to add online, it wants 10k.
2. How to get from JFK back home?
3. The six of us are currently on 4 reservations. Can they still not connect reservations?
Many thanks!!
Nov 2, 2017, 7:00 am
#44
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,116
Hi everyone, here's what we were finally able to book:
SEA>ORD>GRU>JNB (first two are UA, last two are SAA)
JNB>CPT (SAA)
CPT>JNB>CAI>JFK (these last two flights are on Egyptair)
We couldn't get anything to/fr the SF Bay Area with dates that would work for all of us...
When we look online now, we can find:
SFO>SEA economy saver (10k miles)
LGA>ORD>SFO or EWR>SFO but not saver...
So, here are my questions:
1. What's the best way to connect our trip to SFO or close by? Could we call to get the SFO>SEA added without charge? When we try to add online, it wants 10k.
2. How to get from JFK back home?
3. The six of us are currently on 4 reservations. Can they still not connect reservations?
Many thanks!!
SEA>ORD>GRU>JNB (first two are UA, last two are SAA)
JNB>CPT (SAA)
CPT>JNB>CAI>JFK (these last two flights are on Egyptair)
We couldn't get anything to/fr the SF Bay Area with dates that would work for all of us...
When we look online now, we can find:
SFO>SEA economy saver (10k miles)
LGA>ORD>SFO or EWR>SFO but not saver...
So, here are my questions:
1. What's the best way to connect our trip to SFO or close by? Could we call to get the SFO>SEA added without charge? When we try to add online, it wants 10k.
2. How to get from JFK back home?
3. The six of us are currently on 4 reservations. Can they still not connect reservations?
Many thanks!!
Nov 2, 2017, 7:28 am
#45
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
That JFK-SFO is going to be an issue using *A. Maybe wait for a sale, and book a one-way on B6.
Else, keep watching the return to a) avoid EgyptAir and b) get something on UA or even AC, giving you many more return options once you land in YYZ/ORD/EWR/IAH/etc.
Else, keep watching the return to a) avoid EgyptAir and b) get something on UA or even AC, giving you many more return options once you land in YYZ/ORD/EWR/IAH/etc.