So after making a lot of calls to both Delta and Continental trying to book our flights for ROAR 2, a Continental rep was able to book us using OnePass rewards on the following:

JFK to JNB (stopping in Dakar) in coach

JNB to JFK (stopping in Dakar) in business

For some reason, business FF rewards on the JFK to JNB route are hard to snag. There was nothing available the four days before or after our flight date either. We could connect through Atlanta and get biz class but Len feels it's not worth the five-hour layover and we should just stick with coach one-way.

Any thoughts? The reward cost each of us 105,000 miles. Of course, can can keep calling to see if biz seats open on that leg of the trip.

Andrea

I would say it is SO worth the five-hour layover in Atlanta, in order to get Business seats! Do you have the Amex Plat card? If so, you could wait in the Crown Room, or with Business seats you can wait in the Biz Class lounge. Actually the Departure Lounge is nothing to write home about, but the seating is comfortable, they have coffee and some form of snacks.

I just got off the phone; we are waitlisted for Biz JNB-ATL on 9/26.

I would definitely spend the five hours in Atlanta. As Pam says, just stay in the Biz Elite or Crown Room on E concourse. DL coach on a 767-300ER for that long a flight will be pretty bad. Unlikely that AVOD will be installed in coach and not a lot of leg room (except for certain seats). Besides, why change planes in Dakar when you don't have to. At least, the last part of flight will be on a converted 767-400ER.

I would definitely go through Atlanta, pay a few miles more, and get business all the way.

Marc, I don't think Andrea meant she'd have to change planes in Dakar. Delta stops there for fuel/crew, like SAA stopped in wherever it was that we stopped last time. I just went blank, remember San Verde Islands.

Thanks for the advice Pam and Marc. Who knew airline reservations would be so complicated! We do have Amex Plat so maybe the wait in Atlanta wouldn't be so much of an inconvenience.

Pam, I think we do need to change planes in Dakar on the route we've tentatively reserved. Delta's listing the first half of the flight (JFK to Dakar) on a 767-300ER and from Dakar to JNB it's listed as a 767-400ER.

It looks like the flight out of Atlanta is on a 777. I looked at SeatGuru.com and the biz seats on the 777 are a bit wider than the ones on the 767. (21 inches versus 18.5) Pitch is the same at 60 inches.

Of course, Delta may also announce flights to Cape Town...in which case we'd try to change our reservation accordingly.

Decisions! Decisions!

Andrea

Oh GADS! I didn't know they ever changed planes in Dakar! Abject apologies to Marc, who I should have known not to argue with on anything Delta...LOL!

Our reserved seats on Delta out of Atlanta are on a 767, I didn't know Delta was flying 777's on that route. But by that time, they'll probably change things up a half dozen times. If they go into CPT by then, we'll definitely try to change, too.

The agent I talked to this afternoon said that she didn't see any award seats loaded for the 26th yet. I had looked online and didn't see any, but thought she might be able to see more than I could. I'm going to keep watching closely.

Pam,

These FF rewards are so hard to figure out. I checked Delta online early this morning and it showed biz class seats available from JFK to JNB so I called to try and snag them. Well, by the time I called, nothing in business going to JNB was coming up but the reservationist asked when I wanted to return and she was able to find availability on the 26th. The kicker is, nothing for the 26th was showing up on Delta.com!

They really make this a lot more complicated than it has to be!

Andrea

I second the recommedation for spending 5 hours in Atlanta to be able to go in Business rather than from NYC in Coach.

Delta is playing with the loads right now. I was on the phone with them because 2 1st class seats opened up on the Mem-ATL flight so I wanted grab them. The agent who originally made the reservations said we were waitlisted, but the agent I talked to tonight said that wasn't an option. Anyway, I got that fixed. When I first called her, I couldn't see the 26th, then while I was talking to her, I could and only SkyChoice was available. Now I can't see the 26th again. I'm not going to clear my cache because I should already be off here to wind down for the night, but this gets me all rev'd up.

At one point, I thought I saw two more SkySaver seats ATL/JNB, but that was for when we are going (11th) and then they weren't there anymore either.

I guess this is why I haven't flown Delta in Years.
I called tonight to book the Delta flight JNB - DKR & then DKR to JFK. Leaves JNB Sept 27, then leaves DKR 9/28. So the upgrade was avaialble for the JNB to DKR segment for 27th, but the DKR to JFK segment was not available until after midnight. I was told "not to worry" since the JNB to DKR segment showed 9 FF seats available. Called back a little before midnight, and got a guy who did not understand a word of english. He kept asking me if I wanted to upgrade my account. He finally transferreed me to someone who told me I had to call back, because she could only do domestic flights. Called back at 12:10, and I was then told that there are NO SEATS for FF award on the JNB to DKR segment, but there ARE seats DKR to JFK. The 9 award seats on the JNB - DKR segment were sold during the time I was being jerked around by the guy who could not speak or understand english.
So now I can get to JFK from DKR but can only get to DKR in economy. They have me on standby for biz on that leg.
Fortunately, the fare is refundable if it doesn't happen &/or I find something better.

Yes, I am here at midnight playing the FF game too for my daughter who is coming on ROAR. I think I hit it just right. I kept calling back and on the third time the final flights I needed were there. Now she is ticketed and set. Momma is going to bed happy. I have to get mine in about two days as I am staying over at Lion Sands for a couple days.

Congrats, Ngaire.
Which airline?

Just got our return reservations confirmed tonight with Delta in Business on award tickets. Will leave Joburg on the 28th of Sept @ 6:45 to Atlanta and on to Vegas. Called 3 times yesterday they said the seats had'nt been released yet. John called tonight and we got them. One less thing to worry about. Judy & John

Well, we're finally ticketed with Delta and I'm so relieved! We weren't able to get biz class on the way down but I'm going to keep calling and hope something opens up. And, if Delta does start flying direct to Cape Town, we'll try to switch to that flight.

Phew!

Andrea & Leonard