While looking at some last-minute Christmas travel for a colleague this week, I came across some super cheap British Airways business class flights to South Africa that are available through much of 2019.
How cheap is cheap? This deal is available for just £1,270 per person.
A quick hop to Amsterdam to kick things off
Amsterdam has long been a recommended starting point for those looking for cheap business class flights to South Africa. Availability for this deal is excellent so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding dates that work for you, even during the peak (South African) summer months.
Here’s an example I priced up:
These prices are also available if you chose to route the final leg to Amsterdam from Gatwick rather than Heathrow. That would, of course, mean the hassle of collecting your bags at Heathrow after arriving from Johannesburg but you may not mind the inconvenience…
Earn BA Bronze status + 20,000 Avios per person in one trip
A quick glance at the BA Tier point calculator shows that this trip alone would be enough to earn you British Airways Bronze status. Bronze status requires 300 Tier Points, with this trip netting you 360 Tier Points.
Benefits of BA Bronze status include:
- Priority boarding
- Free seat selection 7 days before departure for yourself and other members of your travelling party. This is clearly an advantage over the usual 24 hours before booking available to Blue members/other travellers without status.
- Use of business class check-in areas regardless of your cabin of travel
- 25% bonus Avios on flights
You’d also earn the best part of 20,000 Avios, which is a nice extra.
Getting to Amsterdam
Positioning to/from Amsterdam to take advantage of this deal should be straightforward. Using my example itinerary above, BA has return flights for under £100. Alternatively, BA Redemption Finder indicates that there is Avios reward availability on my dates. I could use Reward Flight Saver and pay just 8,500 Avios + £35 return.
How to book
There are no online travel agency hoops to jump through on this one. You can book this deal directly on the British Airways website.
Valid for travel until 15th October 2019.
Tickets must be booked by 19th December 2018.
Verdict
£1,250 per person for Club World flights to Johannesburg is an excellent price. This represents more than a 50% discount on the £2,700 that BA/Virgin seem to be charging for non-stop flights from London to Johannesburg. Plus you’d secure BA Bronze status in just one trip – something you wouldn’t manage with direct flights.
If you’ve had South Africa on your list, this deal is well worth a look.
Book on the British Airways website
Are you a buyer at these prices?
One thought