Planning to go to SA in Sept 2015

Use a consolidator and do it now. At least that is how it used to be. You are right to ask!

September is a busy month so if you are after a particular seat (bulkhead, Economy Comfort, etc) then you should book well in advance - like now.

If you want the best price, then you should wait until 45-35 days beforehand. As fuel prices drop, airfare will also drop, but far more slowly. But you may wind up in the middle of a row in the back of the plane.

Consolidators only can only do so much on US carriers like Delta. On international carriers like SAA they have a little more pricing latitude, so it's a good idea to check both.

I like to get it over with. Angst is a killer of enjoyable anticipation. I buy the ticket and then immediately forget what I paid for it (saving a buck or overpaying some???) What's a couple of hundred bucks of perhaps tens of thousands.

And... earlier is better for seat selection. A bulkhead comfort economy seat is much better than being stuck in the middle row of steerage, IMHO.

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
I like to get it over with. Angst is a killer of enjoyable anticipation. I buy the ticket and then immediately forget what I paid for it (saving a buck or overpaying some???) What's a couple of hundred bucks of perhaps tens of thousands.

And... earlier is better for seat selection. A bulkhead comfort economy seat is much better than being stuck in the middle row of steerage, IMHO.

Great advice.

I book as soon as I know my hunt dates.

I booked my flight for a late May early July sable hunt in Zimbabwe soon after I knew the dates on Emirates. I was surprised that some flight were full or nearly full at this early date. Lucked out and got exactly what I wanted. Why wait once you are committed to a safari date and have your flight sold out and have to scramble to find flight that will work if is is available at all.

I book ASAP, but I use points to fly Business Class and those go quickly.

I want to book now my co hunters want to wait. This started as my trip. I think one of the guy's are going to bail. I;m hunting. one of my party is afraid of ebola. I'm making plans this week thanks Bruce

Afraid of Ebola? Does he own a map?

Bruce,
Maybe explain to him that sitting in New York, he's about the same distance from Sierra Leone than what Port Elizabeth, South Africa is.

Book now sounds like one is going to bail and the other one is thinking about it. Waiting on them to make a decision could place you in an difficult spot air travel wise.

quote:

Originally posted by bbruce:
I want to book now my co hunters want to wait. This started as my trip. I think one of the guy's are going to bail. I;m hunting. one of my party is afraid of ebola. I'm making plans this week thanks Bruce

What my travel agent indicated is you want to book 6 to 15 month out and let them look for the best prices. Let the travel agent look at leaving times to help in obtaining good pricing.

For you, you should let your 2 traveling companions know that you will be booking your flight and that if they would like to sit as a group together that they need to be ready to make the purchase.

You all should use the same travel agent, book a window and 2 aisle seats so you are next to each other and can chat and change seats if you elect.

Window seat is good for sleeping.

If your friends are going to bail on you, it is good to know it now rather than later.

I normally book 6 months out or more. My wife and I hunted RSA in September this year and booked our tickets in March. I did notice all the bulkhead seats were already taken but, nearly two thirds of the aircraft was empty.

What worked for me:

I got a time range from my outfitter, then had my travel agent find the best fare in that range---once I booked my cheapest flight then I locked in my hunting dates---this was all 10-12 months before Hunt.

Get it done asap. You WILL want to get a bulkhead seat on the window before they are all gone. I booked two weeks ago for a flight to RSA the first week of May, 2015.

About 3-4 months before.I booked a window seat yesterday on SAA.I will leave the bulkhead for someone that really needs it.

bbruce,

Being a booking agent I hear pretty often that the guy I'm talking to is committed but 2-3 others are a maybes and they can't all agree on what to do etc. I'll tell you what I tell my clients. If you want to go book it and if the others get on board fine but don't let the other guys jeopardize your adventure.

Mark

Great advise

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
bbruce,

Being a booking agent I hear pretty often that the guy I'm talking to is committed but 2-3 others are a maybes and they can't all agree on what to do etc. I'll tell you what I tell my clients. If you want to go book it and if the others get on board fine but don't let the other guys jeopardize your adventure.

Mark