Anyone done the same evening Delta to SAA transfer in JNB with checked bags lately?

Is it correct that Delta backed off their early 2013 position that they would no longer do the interline transfers of baggage in JNB?

Thanks,

Will, from what I understand, sometimes they will, sometimes they won't. I just booked again with Gracy and SAA as I want to continue on without clearing in JNB. Shawn advised me that they are NOT interline transferring bags in JNB between Delta and SAA at this time.

I checked my bags in at Denver to go all the way through to Harare back in mid June. Flights were on time and when I got to Harare, my gun case made it ,but my duffle with clothes and ammo did not. The lost luggage folks in Harare couldn't find a record of the bag that night , nor the next morning. Never the less, the bag showed up on the mid day flight that next day. Go figure. Returning I checked bags in Harare all the way through to Denver and they both made it fine. By the way, I had separate tickets for the Delta and SAA flights, and the bags were checked all the way through with no hassle or argument on either end.

I just returned from Namibia on the 18 th. I had been stymied by the German gun permit issue in Frankfurt with no time to make 20 Euro payment in time to receive permit before departure. (Was advised of the fee only 3 weeks AFTER submitting application ).I went to Delta counter supervisor at Albuq. Int. with my problem and they graciously agreed to check my guns/duffel all the way through to Windhoek on Delta/Frk then Air Namibia.No problem either way.The matter of a permit being required for guns even passing thru Frk. (without claim and re-check)is unresolved as far as I know at this time.given the Frk. fee AND the new $100 gun transit charge by Air Namibia. I am considering the Atl.- Joberg route with shuttle on SAA to Whk. on my next trip...

Will I have had more problems with SAA not wanting to check bags through to Delta coming back, but they did it yesterday for me no problem. It is not recent, but both times I have done Delta to SAA/HRE, me and everyone with me lost one or both bags for a number of days. That is why I always stay all night in Joburg even though I feel it wastes a day. Have always had my stuff by going that route...you sure don't want to have to fly a bag all the way to Malapati!

I never heard a first hand account of SAA or Delta refusing to check bags through for anyone.

If you're using an agent, get them to get email confirmation of the policy in place at the time you book, and then ask them to follow-up with their contacts before you leave.

I did the ATL, JNB, ZIM straight- through/checked bags thing last year with no agent and had no problems despite there being lots of hearsay on the issue. Sounds like Tim has had some issues with stuff showing up, but that's not a regulation or policy issue.

For what it's worth, checking straight through was a much better experience than dealing with SAPS and overnighting in JHB.

I travel fully insured these days, and I'm betting you do too. Just bring extra clothes in your carry on - besides Nixon probably has some extra undies, socks, and a 458 Lott for you if things go South.

I am really curious . . . not trying to be critical. Why would folks put up with this crap? It seems to be well known the issues with flying SAA and Delta through Jo'berg, the problems with interlining bags, having to book multiple tickets, the issues of lost luggage, etc. I just booked my trip in November on Emirates. My ticket was under $1500 including taxes. I just scratch my head and wonder, why do folks persist in going routes through Jo'berg? Particularly if they decide to overnight in Jo'berg on the way to another country. Of course, if you are terminating flights in South Africa, I get that, but for folks going on to Zim or Zambia, I just don't get it. Sort of like Gomer Pyle's old saying, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
I am really curious . . . not trying to be critical. Why would folks put up with this crap? It seems to be well known the issues with flying SAA and Delta through Jo'berg, the problems with interlining bags, having to book multiple tickets, the issues of lost luggage, etc. I just booked my trip in November on Emirates. My ticket was under $1500 including taxes. I just scratch my head and wonder, why do folks persist in going routes through Jo'berg? Particularly if they decide to overnight in Jo'berg on the way to another country. Of course, if you are terminating flights in South Africa, I get that, but for folks going on to Zim or Zambia, I just don't get it. Sort of like Gomer Pyle's old saying, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

I'll probably look at Emirates in the future, but overall time, door to door, is the biggest motivator for me, even more than price. ATL is right out the side door from here, and makes for the shortest overall travel time for me.

If I were in Houston, like you, I'd be on the Emirates bus, no question about it.

I hear you Will but there is also a value to peace of mind. The reason I started flying Emirates was I kept worrying about connections in Dulles or Atlanta if there happened to be a thunderstorm in Houston, etc. To me, I would be happy to take a little longer to get there if I could avoid hand wringing over whether I am going to make a connection in Jo'berg, will my guns and luggage make the transfer, if I end up stranded in Jo'berg what kind of hassle am I going to face arranging to overnight, will my luggage be robbed in Jo'berg, . . . . The modest incremental time you add to the trip going through Dubai is more than made up -- for me at least -- in not having to fret about all the issues folks are experiencing with SAA, Delta and Jo'berg.

. . . but some like brunettes and some like blondes.

They would not check mine through in Feb of this year but they did on my June flight this year.

What have been the optimum options anyone has experienced for getting to Lusaka without any JoBurg transfer issues?

I have taken the same day transfer 3 times, Lusaka once, Harare twice. 2 out of 3 successful. Lusaka ok, 1 Harare ok, 1 Harare everything showed up next day at noon. Never any problems on return flights 8 times now. I have never flown anything but Delta ATL to JNB and SAA to Zim. It is far and away the best connection for me, although I want to fly Emirates when time is not of the essence.

quote:

but some like brunettes and some like blondes.

What is wrong with liking both?

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
I am really curious . . . not trying to be critical. Why would folks put up with this crap? It seems to be well known the issues with flying SAA and Delta through Jo'berg, the problems with interlining bags, having to book multiple tickets, the issues of lost luggage, etc. I just booked my trip in November on Emirates. My ticket was under $1500 including taxes. I just scratch my head and wonder, why do folks persist in going routes through Jo'berg? Particularly if they decide to overnight in Jo'berg on the way to another country. Of course, if you are terminating flights in South Africa, I get that, but for folks going on to Zim or Zambia, I just don't get it. Sort of like Gomer Pyle's old saying, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

To me it makes a difference to fly on Delta due to being a Gold Medallion member and some of the perks of being a fairly active frequent flyer.

I'd rather accumulate the Skymiles on Delta and coming out of Montana you don't have a ton of options.

Pretty sure Emirates isn't a Skypartner but could be mistaken.

As Will said, if I was in Houston and could catch a direct to Dubai and then HRE, I would agree that would be a good option.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

but some like brunettes and some like blondes.

What is wrong with liking both?

Fair point. Substitute "prefer" for "like".

I am getting ready to book my airline to Beira, Moz.via Joberg.

I am going to need to spend the night either way(SAA/Dulles or Delta/Atlanta). The connection to Beira is SAA. My question is as I will be in SA less than 24 hours, can I check my bags thru to Beira without the SA/SAPS hassle? I have been told the airline will hold them overnight and put them on the Beira flight the next day.

Does anyone have experience with this and any recommendation on SAA or Delta?

Thanks

S2 - Time before last I checked bags all the way from Albuquerque to Beira through Joberg. Overnighted, left on the next/first flight to Beira the next AM. Upon arrival I did check with the SAPS office to see if bags arrived. They did and SAPS said they would keep them secure overnight and see they were on my flight next AM. Next AM they were sitting right by the plane as I boarded just as promised.

This was with SAA by the way. Don't know if the same procedure if using Delta.

Larry Sellers

Just got off the phone with a Delta rep. and she said Delta and SAA do have an agreement to transfer bags. You have to tell the agent when you check in to tag the bags all the way through. There is not supposed to be any extra fees BUT she said sometimes SAA would charge extra.

quote:

Originally posted by FishN4Eyes:

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
I am really curious . . . not trying to be critical. Why would folks put up with this crap? It seems to be well known the issues with flying SAA and Delta through Jo'berg, the problems with interlining bags, having to book multiple tickets, the issues of lost luggage, etc. I just booked my trip in November on Emirates. My ticket was under $1500 including taxes. I just scratch my head and wonder, why do folks persist in going routes through Jo'berg? Particularly if they decide to overnight in Jo'berg on the way to another country. Of course, if you are terminating flights in South Africa, I get that, but for folks going on to Zim or Zambia, I just don't get it. Sort of like Gomer Pyle's old saying, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

To me it makes a difference to fly on Delta due to being a Gold Medallion member and some of the perks of being a fairly active frequent flyer.

I'd rather accumulate the Skymiles on Delta and coming out of Montana you don't have a ton of options.

Pretty sure Emirates isn't a Skypartner but could be mistaken.

As Will said, if I was in Houston and could catch a direct to Dubai and then HRE, I would agree that would be a good option.

I am Platinum on Delta and almost at 2 million miles, at which point I am Gold for life, so I try and fly Delta.

But...I have also noticed jet lag is noticeably easier when you hop on a plane in ATL and fly all the way to JNB; enough time to sleep a bit but bedtime isn't too far off when you get there.

Delta checked my bags through in April but doing so if you overnight means you won't have access to them.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
I am really curious . . . not trying to be critical. Why would folks put up with this crap? It seems to be well known the issues with flying SAA and Delta through Jo'berg, the problems with interlining bags, having to book multiple tickets, the issues of lost luggage, etc. I just booked my trip in November on Emirates. My ticket was under $1500 including taxes. I just scratch my head and wonder, why do folks persist in going routes through Jo'berg? Particularly if they decide to overnight in Jo'berg on the way to another country. Of course, if you are terminating flights in South Africa, I get that, but for folks going on to Zim or Zambia, I just don't get it. Sort of like Gomer Pyle's old saying, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

With me living in Al, I would have to fly to Dallas/ Fort Worth from Atlanta. Since I'm going to Bulawayo if I didn't stop in Joberg I would have to fly to Harare then fly back to Joberg then to Bulawayo.

This thread got me thinking about Emirates. I'm heading to Maum, Botswana in May. I live in PA and checked into Emirates. Didn't work for me. Every itinerary had me making two connections and at least one overnight in Joberg. I guess it's a viable option if you live near Houston and can reach your destination without going through Joberg. For me it will be the SAA flight from NY through Joberg without an overnight in RSA and bags checked to Maun. No SAPS crap with that itinerary.

The Emirates flights were also more expensive.

I too am looking at that Emirates route and run.

Like Mike I prefer the Houston in and out . I also greatly prefer the Boeing equipment and new equipment at that. I have been all over this rock on some , and then on some less than good fly gear too. With my girls on I prefer that B under us.

Emirates has some great coach fares if I slide one day . Would anybody offer a comparison of Emirates coach compared to say the Delta Economy Comfort or Premium Economy? Or versus the same on Air France? Not so much on food - we can eat before and after. But more on seat comfort and space.

We would be going to JoBerg and on to Namibia . We would use the Africa Sky etc service if we have to stay overnight in JoBerg. But it at least appears that we can get out and over to Windhoek the same day if we choose to due to the Emirates arrival times at OR Tambo.

On any of the air carriers I not only have my rifle gear and paperwork in order, but sic my agent on it too. But it still seems that Air France can be a bit of a hassle more on this.

So I would hope that Emirates just follows the Emirates policies and doesn't invent new rules at the check in counter.

Thanks guys.

No problem with the Delta/SAA transfer Joburg/Bullawyo in October. I was told by Shawn at Gracey that as long as the flight is issued as 'one ticket' they will honor the transfer. Might want to check this when booking.