How far in advance to book a flight to South Africa

[Doug3006]

The most contentious subject to be found on AH, outside the Politics thread, is whether to use a travel agent or book your own flights. I’m in the travel agent camp. I used Gracy Travel for the trip to SA that I just got back from. The cost of them booking the tickets, and the VIP meet-and greet and gun clearance service is less than $500.

They handled the booking (thankfully no changes were needed enroute), processing our gun clearance form (SAP) and having Bruce meet us and escort us through security. He led us to a customs agent ready for us…no waiting in line. He then led us to the police station for gun clearance. A breeze.

Worth the $$$ to me.

 

[bo4elk]

I bought mine 10 months in advance, but I wanted premium economy. There are not a lot of those seats available and they raise the price on those seats as there becomes fewer available. My seats have gone up $400 from the original price in the past month. There are far more options with coach and those prices will jump up and down over time.

 

[Safari Dave]

Gracy or Travel Express and buy trip "cancel for any reason" travel insurance.


I nearly had to swallow the cost of everything back in 2020, because the travel insurance company I used didn't consider Covid a "natural disaster" (and it probably wasn't, but the narrative at the time said it was). It took documentation of my mother dying during a certain timeframe for them to pay me a cent.

 

[Houston Bill]

I usually book about 8-10 months in advance.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

I was asked by our group to call Gracy on our last trip but when I called and asked their price and was told 300.00 for hunters and 150.00 for non hunters. asked why the difference and was told "hunters ask more questions than non hunters and our time is worth money" that ticked me off so I just stayed with Jennifer like the previous trip. I only called Gracy because the others asked me to. @TRAVEL EXPRESS all the way!

 

[Firebird]

I’ll echo that to get a better than economy seat you should book early. Limited number and they sell out quickly. Or maybe you like economy discomfort for 17 plus hours. . . 10 months out is about when the flights are scheduled/published. I am a huge fan of using a travel agent

 

[markm]

Gracey Travel is another. Shawn (and Bruce in SA) did a great job for me. Including booking a flight change on a Sunday. Sitting in Atlanta right now awaiting my final leg home.

Use Gracey always and only Shawn is the best and Bruce is the mayor will be leaving end of next month for trip number nine

 

[markm]

I was asked by our group to call Gracy on our last trip but when I called and asked their price and was told 300.00 for hunters and 150.00 for non hunters. asked why the difference and was told "hunters ask more questions than non hunters and our time is worth money" that ticked me off so I just stayed with Jennifer like the previous trip. I only called Gracy because the others asked me to. @TRAVEL EXPRESS all the way!

That little bit of money for them too do everything is worth it ten times over when you spend 10,000 on a trip

 

[Dhutson]

According to a friend in the hunting travel business he says that December is the best time to buy tickets. For some reason the airlines have sales during this time.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

That little bit of money for them too do everything is worth it ten times over when you spend 10,000 on a trip

well for one thing she did not say what they were going to do for the 300, just that their time was worth something. if she had said what they do for that it might have been a different other than the attitude that she came across with. besides Jennifer at Travel Express made our hotel reservations in her 150 fee and Mr X handles the permits. Gracy will never see my money

 

[TXhunter65]

Flight prices vary wildly from minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day. On our last trip over I booked 3 first-class round-trip tickets on United from Dallas to Newark to Joberg. As soon as the flight became available to book, I started watching the price daily. For the most part it stayed in the $4-$6K range per seat. With that said, I saw it has high as $18K per seat and for whatever reason one day I caught it at $3,250/seat. I paid a $30 fee to hold the rate for 48 hours, confirmed with the other two in my party then booked the flight. From what I've read and with some experience the cheapest day to fly is Tuesday, the cheapest time book flights are Tuesdays late at night, and barring any unusual happenings in the world the cheapest time to book an international flight is about 8-9 months prior. Of course, there are always exceptions and a ton of circumstances that can influence the price up or down before or after those days, dates, and times but those are some general guidelines to go by.

 

[tay50]

So I booked my September SA trip in March, Delta Comfort, $2800, Premium Select almost $5000, I seen in May, Premium Select was $4000 so I upgraded for the extra $1200 bucks, this past weekend I seen Premium Select for $3100, so I called Delta and received a $919 dollar e-credit. So it pays to monitor your flight, you could save some money for very little effort, I'm hoping I can upgrade to first class on one of the legs from ATL to JNB, or JNB to ALT with my e-credits.

 

[PatrickMa Ward]

I recommend Travel Express if you are hunting Africa, I can’t stress enough about how much help that are.

 

[nosleep$]

well for one thing she did not say what they were going to do for the 300, just that their time was worth something. if she had said what they do for that it might have been a different other than the attitude that she came across with. besides Jennifer at Travel Express made our hotel reservations in her 150 fee and Mr X handles the permits. Gracy will never see my money

Does mister x work for Jenn or is that another service.?

 

[Hyde Hunter]

Does mister x work for Jenn or is that another service.?

Jen does not set up permits, or employ Mr X. he works out of Afton Hotel. she made the travel arrangements and booked the hotel for us and her price is very good

 

[nosleep$]

Jen does not set up permits, or employ Mr X. he works out of Afton Hotel. she made the travel arrangements and booked the hotel for us and her price is very good

So Mr x(Aaron hotel) helps you thru with your rifle? Because I would like that. I'm in early stages of planning and it's turning into a headache.

 

[Andrew62]

Most of us have learned to know Mr. X through staying at the Afton House. Elize is the manager of the Afton House, she does a wonderful job. There are other hotels in the area or at the airport as well. If you would rather stay elsewhere than the Afton House, consider using Rifle Permits, I have used them as well, very efficient. In fact I will use them this September as I am not overnighting in Joburg.

 

[Safari Dave]

Gracy or Travel Express and buy trip "cancel for any reason" travel insurance.


I nearly had to swallow the cost of everything back in 2020, because the travel insurance company I used didn't consider Covid a "natural disaster" (and it probably wasn't, but the narrative at the time said it was). It took documentation of my mother dying during a certain timeframe for them to pay me a cent.

If you are traveling with guns or ammo, a hunting-specific agent like Gracy or Travel Express is easily worth the $300. Especially, if the trip is anything more than a direct flight from the US to RSA.



You do not want to interact with your firearms in another country, if you want to hunt with them in Africa.



I have a friend who had to spend 7 days in Amsterdam, just dealing with firearms.

 

[nosleep$]

Most of us have learned to know Mr. X through staying at the Afton House. Elize is the manager of the Afton House, she does a wonderful job. There are other hotels in the area or at the airport as well. If you would rather stay elsewhere than the Afton House, consider using Rifle Permits, I have used them as well, very efficient. In fact I will use them this September as I am not overnighting in Joburg.

Thank you for the reply. You jus solved a question I have. I went to riflepermits.com. I will definatly use their service just so there's no hiccups. I really do appreciate all the answers. Next step is tackle the shipping and importing lol. Seems like the easiest part is the hunt.

 

[Safari Dave]

Travel Express "rubbed me the wrong way" in 2021, that's why I went with Gracy.

I think they are both excellent.