Traveling to Zim next July with 5 friends to do a little DG and PG hunting: (Zim Internal stability withstanding). While traveling to Zim last year I booked tickets in january as I was using AMEX frequent flyer miles and they have a maximum advance purchase of 6 months. This year because we have more travelers I wanted to poll a couple of people out there and get a feel for best routes and times to book. I have only been across twice both time from Dulles to JNB on the SAA flight but would consider options. Any info would be appreciated.

i don't think there is a best time if you are refering to a particular time of year. we usually book as soon as the airlines have their schedules out. it saves $$. talk to gracy or kathy & they can clue you in

Thanks, Any thoughts on the route? The SAA direct route is tough but we have been fortunate to have made the trips with all of our luggage arriving with us that way...

last time we did delta & it was lots better than saa, but going up to zim the delta flight gets in late so you have to stay over (good points and bad) the saa gets in so you can sit around a few hours and then get up to zim. thus its cheaper to do the saa, but more comfortable on delta. by staying overnight you get to get some rest and claim your baggage, so you at least will know if stuff has been stolen at the airport and have a chance of replacing it, neither has any guarantees on it geetting to zim

According to Susan at Gracy "Airlines will have seats in the computer to book 300 days prior and that’s when you should do it."

I'm wrestling with the same thing you are Highbrass. Now help me out...How do we forecast Zim's internal stability 300 days out??

quote:

Originally posted by Cazador humilde:
According to Susan at Gracy "Airlines will have seats in the computer to book 300 days prior and that’s when you should do it."

I'm wrestling with the same thing you are Highbrass. Now help me out...How do we forecast Zim's internal stability 300 days out??

No way to predict but if you think about it you are really just risking the SA to Zim part. If things got bad you could stay in SA and hunt or hop over to Bostwana or Namibia, worst case scenario of course.

quote:

Originally posted by GeoffM24:

quote:

Originally posted by Cazador humilde:
According to Susan at Gracy "Airlines will have seats in the computer to book 300 days prior and that’s when you should do it."

I'm wrestling with the same thing you are Highbrass. Now help me out...How do we forecast Zim's internal stability 300 days out??

No way to predict but if you think about it you are really just risking the SA to Zim part. If things got bad you could stay in SA and hunt or hop over to Bostwana or Namibia, worst case scenario of course.

Good Call!!

Thanks for the post and I would bet nostradamus would not take 300 days out in Zim on a bet. Last time I spent the night in JNB before heading up to Zim and it was hassle free thanks to air2000; Just wanted to see if anyone had been through europe and if the break in the middle was a viable option. Right now if anyone has priced tickets lately the taxes are insane... about 25% ouch...

Are you using AMEX Frequent Flier or the Rewards Program? We used the later and always book as soon as the books open up which I beleive is ten months. jorge

Jorge,

Two of us would like to use AMEX and with SAA that is currently 6 months out from the time of booking. This will happen in January right after the contract gets renewed with SAA and AMEX in December. In the past I have found that the companion fares are not available and you are forced to burn at this time 90K miles for a coach ticket...