Airline help for first trip over

[twilly24]

So as a few may already know my first trip is next june. So I wanted to fly delta from Atlanta. But the round trip is about 2800 bucks now. So after doing some searching. The flight through Atlanta to Africa and the returning back through Amsterdam drops the price to about 1900. My question is one flight to Amsterdam is on KLM and from Amsterdam to Chicago is Delta. Will changing to a different airline in Europe be difficult with firearms? Thanks

 

[cpr0312]

Cant help you on a change in Europe, never done that. I can tell you in my experience that maybe if you wait just a few more months, you can most likely get the ATL -JNB-ATL route for between $1600-$2000. I know the rates are cheaper for Apr and May flights, but you should be able to get this route in June for under $2,000 unless things have changed

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

So as a few may already know my first trip is next june. So I wanted to fly delta from Atlanta. But the round trip is about 2800 bucks now. So after doing some searching. The flight through Atlanta to Africa and the returning back through Amsterdam drops the price to about 1900. My question is one flight to Amsterdam is on KLM and from Amsterdam to Chicago is Delta. Will changing to a different airline in Europe be difficult with firearms? Thanks

I agree with @reedy0312 on this. $2800 to JNB if you were leaving in a couple weeks....yeah I can see that. But you've got 10 months or thereabouts to go, no need to pay that high a price now.

Be patient and wait this out. Keep an eye on prices and sooner or later you should be able to make JNB for $2K or less.

 

[sierraone]

Amsterdam requires gun permits that take 4 to 8 weeks to obtain even if you are just transiting.

 

[thi9elsp]

Personally, I would avoid Europe - especially if traveling with firearms. As others have said, the flight might be less over time. The other option, look at leaving a day earlier or returning a day or two later. Often you can get the cheaper air just doing that. And, spend the difference on more days hunting and more trophies!

 

[JimP]

This is where talking to a travel agent will help you more than you can believe. I like to do a lot of things myself but when I had Lori at Travel Express get me my air fair for the same price that I could do it for myself I went with her. Also if their is another fiasco like Delta is having the last couple of days the agent will take care of it for you. Lori also knows the in's and outs of what you want to do and can make the best solutions for your flights and let you know what to expect as far as the permits are concerned.

 

[CAustin]

Yep you can do better than that!

 

[cpr0312]

This year my flight was in late April, which I booked about 6 months out, but occasionally for fun I would check what the rates were in the 2-3 months leading up to my flight, sometimes you could even get in for $1380-$1550 depending on day. That was CLT-ATL-JNB

 

[twilly24]

Thanks guys. This is what makes this site the best.

 

[sestoppelman]

Agree with above, talk to Lori at @Travel Express.

 

[wesheltonj]

Google ITA matrix, with that you can search airfare and various connections. While you can't book thru that site, you can find the fares.

 

[Rob404]

Gun permits thru Amsterdam are difficult, I took KLM from Minnesota the Flight was great the food and service were better than expected, the people at the Schipol airport spoke better english than I did and the women were all 6 ft tall blond hair and blue eyed and beautiful. the flight to Tambo was also great but the coach seats could have been better,, get a hold Of Lori at Travel Express and relax

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Another thumbs up for Lori at @Travel Express!!

 

[Red Leg]

Lori is great as is Gracy Travel. Will not cost you a penny more - may even save you money - and they manage the headaches.

 

[Wheels]

Lori is great as is Gracy Travel. Will not cost you a penny more - may even save you money - and they manage the headaches.

Ditto.

If this is your first trip and you are taking your own firearms, using an agent makes sense. If a glitch happens, you have a pro working for you.

 

[Hagar]

I agree Lori is great. She coordinated 7 in our party coming from three different states. She got us great prices and took care of one flight change as we were in route before we knew it was a problem.

 

[rinehart0050]

I concur with @reedy0312 and others, you should wait a while before purchasing your tickets. I flew over this year in June and returned in early July. My tickets were right around $2000. I booked my tickets in January or February- can't remember for certain.

Transiting Europe with firearms definitely seems like too much hassle these days.

 

[JimP]

If you are doing the Amsterdam stop to do some tourist stuff I would suggest to rent rifles when you get to your safari camp.

Europe and firearms for the first timer would be more of a hassle that I would want to go through.

 

[TRAVEL EXPRESS]

twilly34 ~ in regards to your changing airlines in Amsterdam, it doesn't sound like a problem on that itinerary because I'm sure it's all on one ticket and Delta/KLM are under the same umbrella. We'd be glad to take a look at this for you and offer our advice. Give us a shout!

 

[wapiti]

Lori is great as is Gracy Travel. Will not cost you a penny more - may even save you money - and they manage the headaches.

Gracy Travel charged us $230 per ticket for booking!