By the time of my upcoming Tanzania safari (Sept 2006), I should have enough frequent flyer miles to travel business class to Dar es Salaam. My budget is counting on this. Having never used FF miles to obtain a ticket before, I have some questions.

What is the process?

How difficult is it to coordinate flights by yourself?

Is there a set number of seats per flight for each class? What are the numbers?

How soon in advance can you apply?

Are there any techniques to help ensure a seat?

What are the pitfalls?

Will any of the travel agents handle this on your behalf for a small fee?

In answer to your questions in short, this has been mu experience.
1. Call the Airline you have the FF miles on.
2. Not difficult.
3. Yes, very few.
4. As soon as the Airline will let you.
5. No.
6. Not many FF seats.
7. I do not believe they can. My experience has been they will only deal with the owner of the FF miles GOOD LUCK

SBT,
You have a PM.

I called Delta/South African Airways 330 days before departure and they had no business class tickets available for the days I wanted to travel.

Yes, a travel agent can and will handle all your FF miles for you and get everything booked for you for a fee of course. Call Shawn or Steve at Gracy Travel as they do this all the time for clients. I am sure that other travel agents on this forum could also help you as well.

Scott,

I've used mileage on 4 of my trips to africa and 3 of those times I was able to fly bussiness class (what a difference). I kind of have it figured out now but if I was doing it again for the first time I would let a travel agent help me. Kathi Klimes will help you for a small fee and you won't have to jump through all the mileage hoops. FYI If you use mileage start planning at least a year ahead because of the limited amount of mileage award seats available.

Regards,

Mark

My wife and I used FF miles to go to Hawaii last year. Getting two tickets at the same time was extremely difficult. Availability of seats is the number one issue you have to face. Good luck getting availability on a flight that coincides with availability of your chosen hunt dates.

People cancel FF flights quite often so keep after it and start trying to secure award tickets as early in advance as the airline will let you.

The trick I have always found to useing airmiles is to choose a carrier that has a rulebuster ticket. While theese cost more miles there are no capacity controls or blockout dates. I use NorthWest and you are able to order your tickets right on line, 1 year ahead of time. You need to be on the ball and get your tickets the first day you are eligible to asure seats if not useing the rulebuster. We have flown many times useing airmiles and find it just as easy as buying a ticket. Last week I bought two AA first class tickets with air miles, reserved seat assignments right on line at the same time. You can even pre-print your boarding passes from home 24 hours in advance.

I had to handle my own travel plans through Delta using the FF miles. They told me they only have two business class seats per SAA flight. I booked 10 months in advance. But it was no problem other than having to fly two days earlier than planned because the exact dates I wanted were already filled. But I think it will be worth it to get to fly business class.

As far as handling your own booking through SAA in Ft. Lauderdale, that was no problem either. The only downer is that I have to fly coach from Joberg to Dar es Salaam.

Don't be intimidated by the process. Just give them a call and tell them what you need. But, be flexible. You may have to juggle your dates a little but to use the miles and fly in a little more comfort, it's worth it. I don't know of another way to better use 120,000 miles!

Bull1

I used ff miles last May to get from Houston to Cape Town. Cost me 200,000 miles for round trip business class but was WELL worth it. The agent at Continental was very helpful. We spent about 1 1/2 hours on the phone finding flights that were available. Planning on the same exercise for my Zambia safari in May 06.

I "just" finished booking with FF's last week to Capetown for me and my wife. We had been attempting to do so for over a month until I found an Airline Rep who was creative and took the time to help.

There wasn't any business seats available at all. I had to use "double points" going over and regular points on return and also had to be very flexible on my days of travel. I am going over two days earlier than originally planned and departing one day later than originally planned.

I am NOT disappointed about the extra days in South Africa. To me the most important part of using FF's is being flexible and keeping a good attitude.

I AM GOING TO AFRICA!