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I’ve been trying to use my avios points to book a bus class return ticket to Cape Town. I’ve tried every day fir a month but there is no availability all year! What am I missing? Feel like I’ve saved all these points and now can’t use them
Hi, welcome.
There are basically 4 routes where you won’t get Business Class availability normally – Maldives, Barbados (peak season), Cape Town, Sydney.
The guaranteed four seats per flight ARE there but are booked at midnight 355 days in advance as soon as booking opens.
Your options are:
a) book 355 days in advance as soon as seats open up
b) jump in when BA launch additional services and so the whole year is suddenly open
c) book at very short notice when last minute seats open
d) use a new style Amex 241 voucher which has access to extra seats or
e) the easiest, go to Jo’burg which has a lot of availability at the moment (see our recent article) and buy a connection for cashA subscription to SeatSpy lets you set up an alert to be notified whenever new availability to Cape Town appears for a date range you select.
I’ve been trying to use my avios points to book a bus class return ticket to Cape Town. I’ve tried every day fir a month but there is no availability all year! What am I missing? Feel like I’ve saved all these points and now can’t use them
Have you looked at Qatar options? Not sure what dates you are wanting to travel but there are a few dates in October for example where there’s availability, you may find other dates if you hunt around. 150k Avios and approx £550 pp return
Have you considered booking out to JNB and back from CPT? Obviously not great if your plans are fixed around Cape Town, but if you’re planning on travelling around SA this could be the way to do it. There are usually plenty of Business Class seats available out to JNB and you’ll find it much easier finding return CPT trip availability if you book 360 days in advance. This worked out for me anyway – doing this itinerary in Oct/Nov. Good luck!
Just to echo what Rob said, I’ve called at midnight 355 days before departure and got business class flights to Cape Town twice now. It can be done!
Thanks everyone, appreciate the suggestions.
Hi, welcome.
There are basically 4 routes where you won’t get Business Class availability normally – Maldives, Barbados (peak season), Cape Town, Sydney.
And Singapore (although one of the two daily flights continues to Sydney).
Just had a quick look on Seatspy as I’m planning a SA trip soon. There is some availability to Cape Town but agree its poor. Alternatively Johannesburg availability is great, including First, so not ideal but you could always connect.
The only sure fire way is to book at one minute past midnight 355 days in advance. You have to take a chance on return availability and ring tbe exec club 355 days before your return date.
That said I booked 2x outbound to capetown last week. I just did a full year availability search and found availability on 2 flights (6 on one) atbthe end of january 2024. They have gone now.
I have yet to book return flights but will look in a week or so and can be flexible. Probably return from joburg.
The only sure fire way is to book at one minute past midnight 355 days in advance. You have to take a chance on return availability and ring tbe exec club 355 days before your return date.
That said I booked 2x outbound to capetown last week. I just did a full year availability search and found availability on 2 flights (6 on one) atbthe end of january 2024. They have gone now.
I have yet to book return flights but will look in a week or so and can be flexible. Probably return from joburg.
Remember that if you’re using a new-style 241 then it is very, very open if you book Club and start in Manchester, Edinburgh etc.
The only sure fire way is to book at one minute past midnight 355 days in advance. You have to take a chance on return availability and ring tbe exec club 355 days before your return date.
That said I booked 2x outbound to capetown last week. I just did a full year availability search and found availability on 2 flights (6 on one) atbthe end of january 2024. They have gone now.
I have yet to book return flights but will look in a week or so and can be flexible. Probably return from joburg.
Remember that if you’re using a new-style 241 then it is very, very open if you book Club and start in Manchester, Edinburgh etc.
This doesn’t apply if using one voucher for three people though, does it? Last time I tried, I could see additional availability when voucher was selected, but the website wouldn’t let me buy any Avios seats that were drawing from this additional availability. Website was saying I needed another voucher or something to that effect.
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