I got home today from DSC and called American Airlines to see about getting a FF ticket to Joburg in first or business class. in the past it has sometimes taken a number of calls over several months. tonight, after less than 30 minutes on the phone the flights were set up. the person wanted to route me through London on BA but there was nothing but coach available. i suggested she try Etihad Airlines via Abu Dhabi and 5 minutes later it was done- all in first class and all for 200K miles and a $100 ticketing fee. and the really amazing thing was i could have moved my flights 1 day leaving or returning and STILL had the same flights. this was far and away the easiest FF first class ticket i ever arranged..... now i have to call Travel With Guns tomorrow and tell them to forget the long haul ticket and just book me on SAA from Joburg to Kasane and return( and save $250 that they would charge to find a FF ticket). life is good- and Etihad has the best first class service i have ever seen.....

jdollar that is the lowest miles i have heard of. Sounds like i need to join AA FF program!

Have a great trip. Chris

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- and Etihad has the best first class service i have ever seen.....

Any experience with traveling with guns with them ?!

no idea as i always use camp rifles.

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Originally posted by Rockdoc:
jdollar that is the lowest miles i have heard of. Sounds like i need to join AA FF program!

Have a great trip. Chris

when you consider that 4 of the 6 long legs are in first and the other 2 are in business( and these 2 are on a flight with no first class, just business and coach), i was amazed that the mileage required was so low. and business on Etihad certainly rivals first class on most other airlines.last year i flew first and business via London on BA and i had to pay about $1000 in British taxes for a "free" flight. this year the total fees/taxes was less than $100. i used this same routing 2 years ago and was amazed at the level of service.