Airlink

sjones42347

sjones42347

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South Africa, USA
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
 
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.
 
sjones42347 said:
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
Click to expand...
Check that your CC is not restricted.
Do watch the firearms and other issues others have noted.
 
rookhawk said:
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.
Click to expand...
I am not carrying any firearms
 
sjones42347 said:
I am not carrying any firearms
Click to expand...

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%!
 
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.
 
Last edited:
Firebird said:
Have you checked with any of the well known and thoroughly vetted travel agents on this site?
That is my recommendation
Click to expand...
^^^^^ What he said!!^^^^
 
rookhawk said:
You just made your life infinitely easier, congratulations.

I am from SA. I can recommend airlink. Have travelled on Airlink with firearms numerous times with zero issues. No problems with their accreditations up to now.
Click to expand...
 
make sur your cc card company did not stop it from going thru. some companies need to be told you are making an international purchase and to whom it is
 
rookhawk said:
You just made your life infinitely easier, congratulations.

SAA Airlink may have the credit card processing issue of Air Zimbabwe and other regionals.
Click to expand...

@rookhawk Who exactly are you referring to here? SAA or Airlink? SAA is a state owned airline and Airlink is a privately owned airline.
Personally, I don't fly with SAA.
 
KMG Hunting Safaris said:
@rookhawk Who exactly are you referring to here? SAA or Airlink? SAA is a state owned airline and Airlink is a privately owned airline.
Personally, I don't fly with SAA.
Click to expand...

Last I flew them as an American, the tickets are issued as SAA Airlink. I know they are not the same thing, just as American and American Eagle are not the same, but can be joint ticketed.

I’ve never bothered to explore why the tickets say SAA Airlink. I’ve never been on an SAA flight.
 
They parted any connections they had with saa quite a while ago
 
rookhawk said:
Last I flew them as an American, the tickets are issued as SAA Airlink. I know they are not the same thing, just as American and American Eagle are not the same, but can be joint ticketed.

I’ve never bothered to explore why the tickets say SAA Airlink. I’ve never been on an SAA flight.
Click to expand...
Their full name currently is SA Airlink.

Just wanted to make sure that people realize that they have nothing to do with SAA.
SA Airlink in general is a very reliable airline since they are privately owned.
 
sjones42347 said:
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
Click to expand...
Use a TA to book your flights. @TRAVEL EXPRESS is a sponsor here and ready to answer all of your questions. Airlink is a very good airline. Don't use Expedia!
 
I have flown with Airlink numerous times..from Joburg to Maun. Normally I fly Frankfurt - Joburg - Maun.. Airlink is ok..a bit expensive rate for bringing firearms though.. I always use a known travel agent to book my flights.
 
I used Travel Express for my 2022 Safari in the Eastern Cape and took Air Link and had no issues. I'm using Travel Express again for this year's safari and I am going back to the Eastern Cape on Air Link.
 
We often get reports that folks cannot process payment with foreign carriers like Airlink or South African Air on their websites. Not sure what the issues are.

But we'd be happy to help if you need us.
 
rookhawk said:
Last I flew them as an American, the tickets are issued as SAA Airlink. I know they are not the same thing, just as American and American Eagle are not the same, but can be joint ticketed.

I’ve never bothered to explore why the tickets say SAA Airlink. I’ve never been on an SAA flight.
Click to expand...

SAA.......South Africa Airlink
OR
SAA.......South Africa Airways/Airlines

Airlink....not Airways...same initials be sure to use Airlink especially traveling with weapons. Airlink is the SAA licensed to transport weapons within RSA.

Maybe someone can update Airways status if they regained their licenses to transport weapons in RSA.
 
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