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SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208288 12/21/07 02:27 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Those on this safari need to be aware NOW is the time to get those frequent flyer tickets. I have coach DFW to London and FIRST London to Johannesburg. Split awards. That was the only awards I could get through American.

For those only doing the cruise the flights will be coming up very shortly as well.

[Linked Image]

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208289 12/22/07 10:03 AM
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Ngaire, for those of us not on safari, but going to Birkenhead, when and where do we meet? I'm assuming we will all be arriving at JNB airport, and taking same flight to CPT

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208290 12/22/07 03:26 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Those just going to Birkenhead will be picked up at the CPT airport on the 19th and taken directly to Birkenhead.

If you arrive in Johannesburg you can go ahead of the group and fly to Cape Town and get transferred to Birkenhead or plan on taking the same flight we will be taking from Johannesburg to Cape Town.

I know what Peggy is doing. She will fly from Richards Bay to Johannesburg on November 18th and stay the night at the Sun at the airport and join us on our flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town on the 19th.

I am not sure if your flight will be coming into Johannesburg or Cape Town Olivia.

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208291 12/22/07 04:26 PM
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I am coming into JNB, as Delta does not do CPT. So would be helpful to me (and perhaps Joanna and Peggy) as to what flight time should be, so we can all arrive at same time. I can do what Peggy is doing. I don't think Joanna has her air yet.

Just read your post again. What flight is your group on from JNB to CPT? That would be easy if we can all get it.

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208292 12/22/07 04:37 PM
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Isn't Delta doing CPT June 2008???


Joanna
Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208293 12/23/07 09:13 AM
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Just got a Delta FF Biz to JNB on the 13th, arriving the 14th for 120,000 miles. Hope I have done it correctly. Maybe should have waited until I was more rested, but am booked. Will deal with other flights later. I should be able to welcome everyone coming in on the 15th to the Intercontinental.


Betty
Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208294 12/23/07 11:35 AM
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We are booked also Delta Biz Class to JNB on the 14th 120k per ticket. At least this part is done, even we cannot get the return we want it is still worth it for this part of the trip.

FV

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208295 12/23/07 12:32 PM
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Do we have to worry about weight restrictions for luggage on airline from JHB to CPT???


Joanna
Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208296 12/23/07 01:23 PM
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Joanna, you won't have to worry about it if you're connecting from an international flight--just check your bags through to CPT. You'll have to pick them up in JNB to go through customs, but you can recheck them when you board your Capetown flight. I'm pretty sure that's true, even if you stay overnight in Johannesburg, but you'd want to check that with the airline to be sure. When you get your flights, think about coming in on the 18th and hanging out with me and Olivia at the Sun hotel at the airport. Otherwise, we'll meet you on the flight to Capetown on the 19th and start the party then <img border="0" alt="[beer]" title="" src="graemlins/beer.gif" />


Peggy
Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208297 12/23/07 01:39 PM
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I just got biz to JNB on the 16th arriving the 17th - she made me nervous by telling me to grab the FF biz "NOW" - plus with hectic next few days thought I'd better do that or lose track of booking time - nicest gal I have ever had for a FF reservation - I think we'll go to CPT (arrive JNB at 4:25 PM the 17th) that night and spend two nights before BH on the 19th - I'll worry about CPT hotel later - thanks Peggy! I do look forward to meeting you both - Joanna cheer editing I will need suggestions for air to CPT...later


Joanna
Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208298 12/23/07 01:49 PM
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Congratulations to all who've scored ff tickets. I am getting nowhere with United on Tucson to Johannesburg, Rio to Tucson. Because we're traveling in two different zones ff miles are not allowed. So, today I looked into buying upgradeable tickets. Yikes! Only Y class available for outbound at $3908 pp plus 15,000 miles to upgrade. Although the return is not yet available, agent said it would be $4963 pp plus 15,000 miles to upgrade. I don't think so. After Christmas, I'll investigate other options. As far as using ff miles, Alan and I should have stayed on ROAR!


Donna

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Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208299 12/23/07 02:11 PM
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Donna: I started to get a headache, no kidding, in anticipation of booking this reward - I had talked to 3 other agents prior to today and they made it painful - thank goodness for Sonya at Delta - wish you good luck for your rewards - ouch $$$$$$ for what you were quoted - :eek: :eek:


Joanna
Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208300 12/23/07 04:50 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Olivia we have not booked a flight from JNB to CPT yet it is too early. We will be arriving from Madikwe at Federal Air at about 1.30 pm if they dont change the scheduled charter flights between now and then. So probably about a 3.00pm flight to CPT, arriving in CPT at 5.00 pm and to Birkenhead House by around 6.00 pm.

You and Peggy could wait for us or the two of you could fly into Cape Town earlier and transfer to Hermanus together. If you are booking this flight in conjunction with your FF tickets then you can book a flight around 3.00 pm and we will just book the same flight. Not sure which alliance you have. South African and British Air are the two main carriers on this route. I usually book South African just seem easier to work with and usually a little cheaper.

I wish we could do it a little earlier. Dont want to miss the morning game drive but we sure could do a flight at about 11.00 am. They are talking about changing the charter schedules we will just have to work it around the charter flight. Madikwe is harder to do private charters than Sabi Sands and a lot more expensive too, so normally I do the scheduled charters to keep the cost down.

Joanna you should have no problem with your luggage as it will be in conjunction with your international flight.

As a domestic flight 44lbs each and any overage up to 70lbs is a flat 50 euros per bag.

This is why I did not include this flight in the safari at this time so everyone could try to get a stopover in JNB and still have their international allowance for the JNB to CPT trip. Otherwise it is 50 Euros per bag overweight.

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208301 12/23/07 04:55 PM
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Ngaire,
Tom, me, Frank and Carla will be flying in from Savannah...any idea what time we will arrive back in JNB? We too don't know what time to book a flight to Cape Town but would like to get to Birkenhead as early as possible on the 19th.


Marcie

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208302 12/23/07 05:02 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Coming in from the game parks you have to allow for the morning game drive, transfer and flight. Your flight will be about the same time. I think the earliest flight is about 11.30 am getting you to JNB at 1.00 pm. (Madikwe flight is 45 minutes, Sabi Sands is 90 minutes). So the same time Marcie a 3.00 pm flight JNB to CPT.

I dont have those Federal Air times at home but I do think that is the earliest flight out.

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208303 12/23/07 05:12 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Here is what was on the itinerary.

Flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town is not included.
About$200USD per person.
Baggage restrictions are 44lbs per person.

If your international ticket will allow a four day stop over in Johannesburg and you can purchase your Johannesburg to Cape Town flight on November 19th in conjunction with your international ticket there may be several advantages.

· If you are flying on miles there may be no extra mileage required
· If you purchased your flights the cost may be less than the normal domestic fare
· A big advantage is that you may be able to get the international luggage allowance which will be much higher than 44lbs.

This is a “changing situation” and you need to check with the airline you use internationally to see their particular rules on this policy. We will advise you of the flight number to book to stay with the group in plenty of time before you purchase your international flights

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208304 12/23/07 05:14 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Allowable weight domestic ticket is 44lbs. Over 44lb and under 70lbs flat charge of 50 euros. They will not take a bag over 70lbs they consider it freight. DONT go over 70lbs. Note Star Alliance customers have extra allowance.
Posted from the South African Airways Web Site


Free Checked Baggage Allowance - Weight Concept

Class Baggage Allowance
First Class 40kg (88lb)
Business Class 30kg (66lb)
Economy Class 20kg (44lb)


Exceptions :
Star Alliance gold customers on Star-operated flights: additional 20kg (44lb)
South African Airways card holders on SA operated flights:
Platinum & Platinum elect: additional 30kg (66lb)
Gold & Gold elect: additional 20kg (44lb)
Silver & Silver elect: additional 10kg (22lb)
Blue: No additional

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208305 12/23/07 05:19 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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I know each carrier has different rules but we were able to change our FF tickets to the following for a 150K business class award.

DFW - Toronto - LHR - JNB - RIO - DFW

We booked the return on the wrong dates and will call in and change them when the real date is in the system.

Even though they were different zones they put it all in one ticket.

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208306 12/24/07 07:40 AM
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We have booked our air directly to Cape Town arriving on the 10th. We will hang around and play some golf for 5 days. I was wondering if anyone else is going from CPT- JNB on the 15th to join the group.

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208307 01/09/08 11:41 AM
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I just booked our one way flight from JNB to CPT on November 19th (after "GAME" safari). Carla & Frank are also on the same flight:
SAA #349
3:40 PM Arrives in CPT @ 5:50pm
The price per ticket was 721 Rand p.p. (approx. $105.)

I toyed with booking Biz Class ONLY because of additional weight allowed but it worked out to be more economical to just book economy and if we are overweight...we just pay for it. (44lbs checked and 26 lbs. allowed as carry on)

Anyone else on this flight?


Marcie

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208308 01/09/08 11:56 AM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Well Marcie I will probably just make that the OFFICIAL flight for the whole group. The timing is good and gives us a little breathing room for connections. Best if we are all together anyway for the transfer to Birkenhead Head.

After I get a ROAR book out - hopefully next week, I will start on the GAME book and put this flight in as the one to book if you are doing your own air flight.

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208309 01/09/08 01:28 PM
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On ROAR Olivia and I were on the same SAA flight from JNB to CPT. I was in biz, she in coach.

IMO biz is not worth the difference. Our plane was not configured with a separate biz cabin with different seating. There was a moveable curtain separating the two classes that I'm sure they adjusted according to the number of people who opted to pay for biz.

If you're going to spring for biz, make sure your plane is configured to have a separate cabin, but I still think the difference in price does not warrant the difference in service for a short flight.


Suzanne
Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208310 01/09/08 04:33 PM
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I have to report that while I was languishing tightly in coach on SAA all the way from Dulles (it really wasn't that bad, as service from DC had just commenced, and we had the back of the plane almost empty) to JNB, the dear Suzanne had a bath in biz class lounge in FRA on whatever, along with a rubber ducky!

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208311 01/09/08 04:46 PM
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Has anyone seen what Delta wants now for the roundtrip? Bost to JNB/Rio to Bost. They want 290k per ticket for business class, is this unbelievable for what.

FV

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208312 01/09/08 04:59 PM
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You have to be kidding?? So happy we booked at 331 days out but even that was a Delta nightmare - bottom line we look forward to seeing you and Carla at Birkenhead :hug: :hug: :hug:


Joanna
Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208313 01/09/08 05:29 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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The old "anytime award" The level almost doubles for those awards. The 331 days out is the only way to go.

We have business to South Africa via BA and LHR. Home from Rio we have coach. Do not think it will change I think this is a routing they just dont offer seats. We started calling midnight and 5.00am the day before it hit and for now three days afterwards NO BUSINESS seats. Still calling. I will keep trying just incase they have not loaded the business seats yet. Not holding out much hope.

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208314 01/09/08 05:37 PM
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Yes Ngaire 331 or zilch -


Joanna
Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208315 01/09/08 05:40 PM
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as of last night Delta had one way 70k per ticket business class from Rio To Bos. I will keep checking, but I am glad I took Ngaire's advice and booked the Bos to JNB when I did, or this could of been quite more painful...

Thanks again Ngaire.

FV

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208316 01/09/08 05:46 PM
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Joanna:

Glad you booked when you did, at least that part is over, look forward to seeing you and Tony also

Frank

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208317 01/09/08 06:54 PM
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Oh my, I just looked at this thread, once again we are behind the eight ball! Between packing, (sold our house) complete construction woes on the new one, and work (travel, but not the good kind), we have not even thought about this. I think I will have to have a sit down with David on this over the weekend......I can see big headaches coming!!


Cindy
Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208318 01/10/08 04:25 PM
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Air travel always a pain to plan when you are trying to book or upgrade with points. Can't believe I was lucky enough to get upgrades with points for ROAR, and how have to start all over again.

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208319 01/10/08 06:45 PM
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Cindy and David - congrats on the move! Best of luck with the airline labyrinth to GAME.

Cheers, Anne

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208320 01/10/08 06:52 PM
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Ngaire Online OP
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Frank, have you tried to add the RIO to Boston onto your current FF ticket?? We were able to do that (different airline program of course). We have not been able to get business just coach but at least we got flights.

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208321 01/10/08 08:19 PM
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Well!!

Delta update: called today and talked to a nice lady that told me I could get the return from Rio to Atlanta, but I would have to pay for tix to Boston, I said thats ok I want to add my return. She insisted I call back after midnight and like a fool I stayed up and did so, guess what? those seats are gone. Talked to a nice lady and she explained no seats were available for return on the 6th, only two seats for the 7th, so I took em.
We really wanted to spend at least 3 days in Rio so this works out perfectly, added the return for only the taxes, Delta must of changed its policy for 2008, because this was not the case back on 12/21/2007 when I booked Bos to JNB. Total miles per ticket roundtrip was 120k for Business. Very happy about this I was ready to shell out a bunch more miles to make this happen.

Good luck to anyone booking.
Frank

Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208322 01/11/08 06:12 AM
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Congrats Frank - nice to have that put to bed -


Joanna
Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208323 01/11/08 08:36 AM
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We are half-way there. Used United ff miles for business class tickets from Rio to Tucson (via DC and Denver). Have to travel in the back of the bus from Denver to Tucson, but that's ok. We spent 80,000 miles pp for the one-way ticket. But, I'm just happy to finally use the miles!

Guess we'll be purchasing Regent air for the Tucson to Africa portion of the trip.


Donna

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Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208324 01/11/08 02:57 PM
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I have one way biz to JNB booked it 331 out (whew!) and we can grab one way (cheap) from Lauderdale to Jax on Southwest after Samba is over - and have the Westin Grand in CPT 11/17 and 11/18 - tomorrow I will book the SAA flight from JNB to CPT - I can only handle one online booking per day - I don't remember it stressing me in my younger years - confused confused


Joanna
Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208325 01/14/08 07:22 PM
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Joanna, good for you! Can you be hired? Anne, thanks for your good wishes. I'm sure you ALL know what a joy moving is......


Cindy
Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208326 01/15/08 02:41 PM
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Cindy I would help you in any way BUT believe me I am challenged by it all - thank goodness some fellow LCTers reminded me when to get my tixs to JNB and gave me SAA site for booking flight from JNB to CPT.... and I did figure out the hotel thing on my own - so proud of myself completing that simple chore - good luck and you can always ask questions I do constantly cheer


Joanna
Re: SAMBA CRUISE AND GAME SAFARI #208327 01/15/08 06:27 PM
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I hate this air stuff. Hanging on the line now trying to book award travel.

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