Airlink

[sjones42347]

I am going to SA in July. I am looking at booking some additional in country flights through airlink, however having some issues paying with CC directly through the airline. Does anyone have any work arounds on this or suggestions? Other than booking through a 3rd party such as expedia where it is more than double the price

 

[Firebird]

Have you checked with any of the well known and thoroughly vetted travel agents on this site?
That is my recommendation

 

[Tundra Tiger]

 

[rookhawk]

If anyone here knows me, they know that I don't like middlemen and I don't extol the virtues of travel agents very often.

That said, SAA airlink is a tricky airline. They don't have to take your rifles onboard. They don't have to honor the "most prevailing carrier rules" to forward your bags without fees unless they are purchased on the same ticket as your prevailing international carrier.

For the shenanigans the OP is trying, it is a case where I'd cede to the necessity of a gun expert travel agent. This trip could go very wrong by trying to save a few bucks or purchase tickets the wrong way.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I am going to SA in July. I am looking at booking some additional in country flights through airlink, however having some issues paying with CC directly through the airline. Does anyone have any work arounds on this or suggestions? Other than booking through a 3rd party such as expedia where it is more than double the price

Check that your CC is not restricted.
Do watch the firearms and other issues others have noted.

 

[sjones42347]

If anyone here knows me, they know that I don't like middlemen and I don't extol the virtues of travel agents very often.

That said, SAA airlink is a tricky airline. They don't have to take your rifles onboard. They don't have to honor the "most prevailing carrier rules" to forward your bags without fees unless they are purchased on the same ticket as your prevailing international carrier.

For the shenanigans the OP is trying, it is a case where I'd cede to the necessity of a gun expert travel agent. This trip could go very wrong by trying to save a few bucks or purchase tickets the wrong way.

I am not carrying any firearms

 

[rookhawk]

I am not carrying any firearms

You just made your life infinitely easier, congratulations.

SAA Airlink may have the credit card processing issue of Air Zimbabwe and other regionals. If they do not pay their dues to the ITAA and get their runway and planes inspected each year, they lose their international standing. It means they are not a legit airway and cannot process international credit cards. I had this problem once flying from Harare to Bulawayo which required an Air Zimbabwe flight which in turn precluded an American credit card for purchase.

I can't speak definitively on the legal standing of Airlink, but Air Zim and Mango had these problems as African airlines in and out of bankruptcy are prone.

I hate saying this because I loathe middlemen, but this is a situation that really calls for a safari travel agent. See everyone!? I'm not 100% against travel agents, just 99%!

 

[Clifford Johnson]

I used FastJet in 2023. JNB to VFA, paid on line, took firearm, checked in on line early. No big issues. They even let me pick my snack ahead of time. NO, I didn't fly first class, coach all the way.

 

[Mekaniks]

Have you checked with any of the well known and thoroughly vetted travel agents on this site?
That is my recommendation

^^^^^ What he said!!^^^^