I AM going to Africa in May 2015. I am looking a flying with points, only way I can afford business class. Am I looking at more trouble than it is worth. I have heard of horror stories flying thru Heathrow, is it still unadvised to fly thru the UK? right now the route is Air Canada to Heathrow, then Egypt Air to Cairo then Egypt Air to JNB. Nothing booked yet at I will have to wait until May as I can only book a year in advance. Any advise or warning from some of you that have been to Africa. I would love to book with Gracey or some other agency but assume by using points that is not an option.
Smokey

That's the first time I've ever heard of someone flying through Ciaro. Most people I've talked to fly through either London or Frankfurt and then fly directly to Johannesburg.

I would worry about the Cairo stop rather than London. I used to use Lufthansa as they were very pro firearms. This does not seem to be the case now. England has always been very anti hunting and many incidents have occurred with firearms to be a worry. One happened to one in our party 15 years ago when a rifle case (unlocked--old days) arrived in perfect shape with the rifle stock broken in half. Can only guess that it was taken from the case and the rifle was run over or something like that. I know our friend was asking for trouble by not locking his case. He also got pickpocketed for $2500 on the subway. Not a very good introduction to London. That was 15 years ago and although England is still very antihunting the airlines have maybe fixed the air handler vandalism problem. Besides, which airlines IS firearms friendly today? Air North in the Yukon is about it.
Again, why Cairo?

Jim

Cairo. because that is all I can find with those damn points. Aeroplan. other option is thru asia (beijing)

and yes Air North is great. took 2 rifles to Vancouver and they barely even looked at me

Smokey

As long as your rifles remain "in transit", no problems at all with Heathrow.

Smokey,

Gracy will assist with using miles. I've had them help me several times. There is a fee but well worth it in my mind. I'd be very apprehensive about the Cairo route. As sheephunterab said Heathrow is no problem. I prefer to use British Air through Heathrow and have found it to be hassle free.

Mark

Fly Star alliance through Heathrow or Frankfurt. Have the airlines transfer the rifles. Even if you have to pay to make up some points it's worth it, no hassle at all.

Just had some friends fly British Air and they refused to fly their guns at the last minute. It threw a major kink into things to say the least.