Delta's new service to Johannesburg makes this the time to plan a safari

You could see it coming when South African Airways announced it was breaking off its long-term code-share relationship with Delta, only to start doing business with United and the Star Alliance. Delta will now take the route into its own hands, beginning daily service from Atlanta to Johannesburg Dec. 4, 2006, using Boeing 777 aircraft with 50 Business Class seats. The outbound flight takes about 17.5 hours, 19.5 on the return, including the refueling stop in Dakar, Senegal.

This isn't a bad change, as the SAA-Delta partnership yielded few mileage seats and no fare loopholes. Now that two airlines will be flying between the two countries directly, there's a chance we could see Business Class fare sales stemming from the otherwise-lacking competition. For now, though, Delta’s lowest Business Class fare is $7,215, about the same as SAA’s fare. While SAA offers free companion tickets via Amex's International Airline Program, (800) 801-6564, the "applicable" fare skyrockets to $11,854.

The opportunity

As the service has just been announced, mileage seats on Delta are abundant—the dates I checked (Dec. through Feb. 2007) were wide open. The cost: 120,000 SkyMiles, a relative bargain. (Memo to Amex Membership Rewards members: Your points are transferable to Delta. Starwood points are also transferable, and it only takes 100,000 of them with the 25% bonus. Diners Club cardholders can also transfer points to Sky Miles.)

Upgrades: There’s also a rare opportunity to upgrade off the lowest economy class fare (M class) in the $1,500 neighborhood in many cases a better deal, in that you'll earn miles and elite credit with any Sky Team carrier. Usually Delta's upgradeable fares are as much as 50% more than the lowest fare.

Don't have the miles?

No problem—there are a couple ways to get Delta miles fast and easy. With almost any Amex card that earns Membership Rewards points, you can buy up to 500,000 points at 2.5¢. That makes the cost of 120,000 miles just $3,000. Even better: Add the cost of 50,000 miles ($1,250) to upgrade an economy fare, and Business Class could cost you as little as $2,750 round-trip.

If that seems expensive, consider that the lowest published Business Class fare on non-direct service (via Europe) is $5,771 with British Airways and NW/KLM (and that will take you about another 3 to 8 hours each way from New York); and that SAA's two-fer costs almost $12,000. Consider, too, that a poor economy seat will cost $1,500 anyway.

Another $1,250 to upgrade 37 hours of flying comes to $33.78/hour—not so bad in my book.

The second way to buy miles fast is directly from the airline at https://delta.mpmvp.com/buy.asp. One-way upgrades cost 25,000 miles, which will cost you $764. The airline only allows you to buy 30,000 miles annually, so you'll have to buy the second block of 25,000 miles needed to upgrade through a family or friend's Delta account and have them redeem their miles for your second one-way upgrade.

Don't expect to see these kinds of deals anytime soon to South Africa.

Availability

The booking window is 330 days out, so if you’re going to South Africa at the end of 2006 or beginning of 2007, book now.

Lowest fares on other alliances (samples from NYC) One world: Iberia Business Class 2-for-1, $8,290 – Direct (800) 772-4642.

Star Alliance: SWISS Business Class 2-for-1, $9,250 Amex IAP (800) 801-6564.