As airlines jockey for position in the new world of travel, United elites have options.
On September 9, United announced new service from New York/Newark to Johannesburg. It’s the perfect springboard to your very own safari adventure all over the continent. And it’s just a short hop to Cape Town from there, too. Daily service begins March 27, 2021.
The Bad News First
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there’s a growing trend of increasingly limited “free” award availability in the airwaves. This isn’t unique to United either—you won’t find any free award seats to this region with Delta or South African Airways.
The Good News
That’s why mileage upgrades—the elite-status traveler’s best friend—are the best way to go. Indeed, we found some unique opportunities on that South Africa route. If you’re looking for two seats, our research found May is a good option for travel. There are a handful of available dates for two from April through July, and decent availability for one traveler in April, May, and July.
Upgradable economy fares range from $1,000 to $1,500, and require 70,000 United miles to upgrade round-trip, plus a $1,200 co-pay.
Contrast that with normal Business Class fares from the U.S. to South Africa, which range from $3,700 to $9,000. Now you can kick that safari adventure up a notch.
United Economy to Business Class
Upgrade Availability SURVEY
[table_opt id="6161" style="gray-header" header_rows="2" width="default" alignment="thcenter" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter" responsive="no" /]
More on how to book this option here.
Safari on Your Mind?
A safari is the perfect vacation for these socially distanced times. You’re in the great outdoors in sparsely populated areas, typically as part of a very small group. I can say from first-hand experience that there’s nothing like Singita safari camps. Singita is a high-end operator of 15 luxury safari camps in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Accommodations are in upscale lodges, tented camps, or in luxury villas for even more privacy.
They claim to have had no covid cases at any of their camps. So get out there and heed the call of the wild. Africa’s wondrous animal kingdom awaits.