The time is getting close to where you can buy a ticket for next June time frame on SAA. I was planning on using FF miles to buy two tickets. As I've read on here on AR, if using FF miles you should buy them ASAP when they become available. My question is when the dates open up to use $$$ to buy the tickets, does SAA open up seats to FF miles at the same time? Or do they wait awhile for seats to sell before opening up to FF miles?

United which is in the Star Alliance with SAA allows you to book FF tickets 11 months before the travel date. The last couple of times that I used FF miles for travel I booked about 3 months ahead of time.

If you have a date already locked in with your outfitter, then book as far ahead as possible.

I have used Star Alliance mile for my last two trips, one to Zim last summer. My understanding is that SAA allots only a couple seats on each flight for those booking with miles. I would book as soon as their system will let you. In fact I booked mine through Gracy partly for the reason that a travel agency can spend the time poring through schedules, etc to make the trip work. (Of course there are a lot of other reasons to use an agency, which have been discussed at length here.)

Fjold / sdirks,

When you used your FF miles on SAA was it for coach or business class? I called today and I could get business but not coach.

quote:

Originally posted by 7MMNut:
Fjold / sdirks,

When you used your FF miles on SAA was it for coach or business class? I called today and I could get business but not coach.

I tried to get Business class but all I could get was coach.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:

quote:

Originally posted by 7MMNut:
Fjold / sdirks,

When you used your FF miles on SAA was it for coach or business class? I called today and I could get business but not coach.

I tried to get Business class but all I could get was coach.

Good grief, your situation makes more sense than mine. With 3 months to go I could see where they'd be booked out on business class. But with nearly a year to go for me, why would they give up those expensive seats now?

Well the business class tickets available for FF mile purchase yesterday are no longer available today! I was going to just purchase the miles I needed to make up the difference and get the BC tix.

Do any of you know if they release more tickets over time for FF use? I find it hard to believe this flight is selling out this fast this far in advance.

You never know when and if they will release tickets.