Kathy: the diff in price was only about $500 and Emirates will pick me up and take me to the airport and give me a hotel room on the way to So Africa. And drive me home from LAX after the trip. Clearly worth more than the $500 since r/t limo or long term parking would cost me almost that. I am so excited now!

Betty: I had the same problem. The websites all showed that flight available but it came up as not available when I tried to actually book it. FWIW the fare from LAX was $4800+ while Emirates was $5300. I used Amex points for one of the tickets and paid for the other. My miles are mostly on Delta which did me no good for a flight to Africa. Guess I will sign up for the Emirates FF club and maybe get a free ticket for a Jet Blue flight
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Helen