Success! I’ve been chasing up one particular frequent flyer program (FFP) about some missing mileage credits and other flights which posted incorrectly (too few miles posted) for a long time. Some flights were more than a year ago. These have finally been credited and adjusted.

The miles for some other flights being credited to other frequent flyer programs (different flights) have also been posted in a flurry of activity in the past week.

It seems odd that after so long chasing up 4 different programs my FFP accounts are finally all up to date. Lucky I didn’t need those miles to requalify for status or to use on awards/upgrades.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

A couple of weeks ago I offered readers some goodies to the person who helps me to pick the 50th “how to get to” destination. Thank you to all who have responded. There are lots of interesting countries and places from all over the globe. I’ll endeavour to include them all in the series in coming weeks.

While I’ve narrowed it down to several entries I haven’t yet picked a winner. I’ll do this while in Singapore over the next few days – expect the winning post next week. Good luck.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

I previously blogged on the impacts of swine flu on travel, what to do about the potential impacts and how savvy travellers can benefit.

This is an update on how the potential impacts are developing. A reminder that for medical advice or up to the minute information on the spread of swine flu, check out the World Health Organization (WHO) website. Note they have now taken to calling it H1N1 Influenza A instead of swine flu.

Current swine flu status

Transmission rates and death rates are lower than normal seasonal influenza levels. Further there are only 3 countries with a material number of confirmed cases (none of which are high relative to normal flu numbers). WHO continues to treat H1N1 Influenza A seriously, noting that the 1918 “Spanish flu had a lull during Northern Hemisphere summer before the full outbreak.

Current impacts on travel

Some countries are still taking a strong precautionary stance for visitors arriving with flu symptoms. Cruise passengers have had disembarkation delayed by several hours in Australia and Barbados, amongst other places, due to as little as one unwell passenger onboard.

Outlook

I’m continuing to keep an eye on bargains and where practical ensuring my travel plans can cater for a modest delay entering or leaving a country. It is, however, difficult to allow for a potential enforced quarantine if someone else on your flight or ship or in your hotel is confirmed to have H1N1 swine flu – especially as the length varies by country from a few days to a week or more. Insurance coverage continues to be important.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

South Africa

Source: Henry Trotter

South Africa has lots of land border crossings with neighbouring countries with several bus and taxi services.

Many airlines fly to South Africa (to Johannesburg only or Johannesburg and other mentioned airports), including:

• Star Alliance – EgyptAir, Lufthansa (Capetown), Singapore (Capetown), South African, Swiss, TAP, Turkish (Capetown)
• Oneworld – British Airways (mainline to Johannesburg and Capetown and subsidiary Comair to several airports), Cathay Pacific, Iberia, Qantas
• Sky Team – Air France Delta (Capetown), Kenya, KLM (Capetown)
• Other selected – most southern African airlines (to several airports), some northern African airlines, some European low cost carriers (mostly to Johannesburg and some to Capetown), Emirates (Capetown and Durban), Malaysia (Capetown), Virgin Atlantic (Capetown)

TIP longhaul flights to/from South Africa are limited with generally more demand than supply, thus fares can be high (especially in business and first class). Awards and discounted fares (such as on around the world tickets) are hard to come by other than in economy. Book as far in advance as possible.

TIP longhaul fares from South Africa are significantly cheaper than from western countries.

TIP South Africa has some of the few Southern Hemisphere intercontinental flight options – both South African Airways and Malaysia Airlines fly between South Africa and South America, and both South African Airways and Qantas fly between South Africa and Australia.

TIP South Africa is a good base or hub to visit other southern African countries with plenty of flight options and generally low fares.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

I was reminded in my recent travels how different the airport transit experiences can be. At some airports transits are quick and simple. Singapore springs to mind for international to international transits and Melbourne Australia for international to domestic or domestic to international transfers.

The reasons these airports are good for transit passengers include having a single building for the terminal(s), good signposting, short distances to walk (and trains and escalators for the longer distances), quick immigration processes where required and none for international to international connections.

Other airports have much more difficult or slow transits. London Heathrow and Los Angeles are notorious amongst regular travellers for example. Less well known but almost as bad are Perth, Brisbane and Sydney.

London Heathrow is horrible for the long distances required, confusing layout and extensive queueing required at peak hours.

Los Angeles is horrible and slow for most international to international and international to domestic transits. The reasons it is unpleasant and US immigration process (even for international to international connections) and lengthy security queues. For some transfers there is also a change of terminals with a moderate walk. As flights from Canada to USA have US immigration processing in the Canadian airport, transits after these flights are not as bad.

Perth, Brisbane and Sydney are horrible for international to domestic and domestic to international transits because the terminals are separated and require a bus or train to travel between them. The terminal transfers have frequencies as low as every 30 minutes and limited hours – otherwise you need to use an expensive taxi. Depending on airline(s) flown, the terminal transfer may not be free either.

The airport setup is the difference between 20 minutes being a reasonable connection time and needing to allow 3 hours for transit. Some airport and airline websites have information on how to make transfers and how much time should be allowed. Otherwise the experience of fellow travellers (eg the Flyer Talk discussion on transits) is invaluable for travel planning.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Saudi Arabia

Source : Baptiste Marcel

Source: Ali Mansuri

Saudi Arabia can be reached by ferry across the Red Sea, by land across most borders, or by air. Due to the great distances involved, bus travel to/from Riyadh or Jeddah and all neighbouring countries is long and slow. The trip between Dammam and Kuwait, Doha, Qatar or United Arab Emirates is comparatively much shorter. Visitors with evidence of having visited Israel are denied entry. There are no roads across the border with Oman (but travel via United Arab Emirates is fine), and the road across the Iraq border may or may not be open.

Most visitors arrive by air. Airlines serving Saudi Arabia (Riyadh except where noted) include:

• Star Alliance – Austrian (Riyadh and Jeddah), bmi (Riyadh Dammam and Jeddah), EgyptAir (Riyadh Dammam and Jeddah), Lufthansa (Riyadh Dammam and Jeddah), Singapore (Riyadh and Jeddah), Swiss (Riyadh and Jeddah), Turkish (Riyadh and Jeddah)
• Oneworld – British Airways (resumes soon to Riyadh and Jeddah), Cathay Pacific, Royal Jordanian (Riyadh Dammam and Jeddah)
• Sky Team – Aeroflot (Jeddah only), Air France (Riyadh and Jeddah)
• Other selected – all Middle Eastern and Gulf-based airlines, major airlines based in the Indian subcontinent plus Indonesia and other countries with a large Muslim population

Several European (and some Asian) airlines operate flights through Saudi Arabia to other Middle Eastern airports. These are called tag flights and are often very cheap elsewhere in the world. However, none of these flights involving Saudi Arabia have traffic rights – meaning you cannot just take the short regional part of the flight by itself.

TIP there are lots of charter flights (to Jeddah) during Hajj – these are operated by a wide array of airlines although only sold through the marketing airlines.

TIP longhaul flights to Saudi Arabia can be not much more than the fare to one of the major Middle East hubs (eg Dubai for Emirates). The extra short flight to Saudi Arabia costs much less than being purchased separately.

TIP fares in first and business class tend to be high and often sell out. Book using awards or around the world tickets well in advance of the travel date. Star Alliance has easily the most options of the 3 main alliances.

TIP Saudi Arabia can easily and usefully be included on a Star Alliance around the world. On Oneworld Explorer fare Saudi Arabia (and the rest of Middle East) are treated as part of Europe, with an additional limit of 2 “long” flights between UK and this region. British Airway’s imminent resumption of flights to Saudi Arabia will provide an alternative to the Royal Jordanian connection.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

See also How to get to Bali.

Indonesia

Source: Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles

Most visitors to Indonesia arrive by air at Jakarta or Denpasar. For Denpasar (Bali) refer to the How to get to Bali post. Airlines flying to Jakarta include:

• Star Alliance – Air China, Lufthansa, Singapore, Thai
• Oneworld – Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas
• Sky Team – China Southern, KLM, Korean
• Other selected – Emirates, most major Asian airlines including low cost carriers

TIP fares between Jakarta and other Asian hubs are relatively high on major carriers due to limits on the number of flights allowed to be offered. Look for airlines flying tag legs (eg Lufthansa from Singapore and KLM from Kuala Lumpur) and low cost airlines for the cheapest fares, or include as part of a longhaul ticket (see below).

TIP longhaul fares to Jakarta are usually priced the same or marginally more than fares to other southeast asian hubs (Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore). Similarly for awards – Jakarta normally has the same mileage cost as the nearby hub.

TIP longhaul fares from Jakarta are quite a lot lower than from the nearby hubs, except for Singapore Airlines. The fare saving from Jakarta compared with from a nearby hub is usually enough to offset the cost of a separate ticket to Jakarta.

NOTE the EU has a warning on travel on Indonesian airlines due to safety concerns and currently bans these airlines from flying to EU.

UPDATED August 2010 – Updated for TAM and Aegean joining Star Alliance, Shanghai leaving Star Alliance, Vietnam Airlines and TAROM joining Sky Team. No change to advice.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Easter Island (Rapa Nui aka Isla de Pascua)

Source: Ian Sewell

Until the port facilities are expanded, cruise ship visits are few and far between. Almost all visitors to Rapa Nui arrive by air on LAN (from Santiago or Papeete). No other airlines fly to Easter Island.

TIP With the lack of competition, air fares are very high. Book early to get an Oneworld award ticket or include Easter Island on an Oneworld around the world fare. On some programs Easter Island is treated as part of South America – in these programs an award from North or South America to Easter Island is a bargain.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

This is part of a series of blog posts on tips for flyers.

Why might this post be useful to you?

Availability tools are sites which anyone can use to check booking class availability. Previous related posts in this series explained how airlines try to maximise their revenue and how booking classes control availability of air fares. This post builds on that information by showing where you can look up booking class availability. With this knowledge and the availability tools you can find ways to use cheap fares (if you know the fare rules), look for potentially full flights as well as ones where there is a chance of an upgrade.

Availability tools

There are a few places where travellers can search availability by booking class on specific flights or routes on a specific date. In this post I’ll discuss the three main ones of use to most passengers.

Seatcounter

www.seatcounter.com is a free online based booking class lookup tool. You can do up to half a dozen searches a day, with each search being for a specific route on a specific day and time of day (eg after midnight, early morning, late morning, afternoon, evening, late night). You can optionally specify up to 3 airlines or get all results.

The result is a listing of paid booking classes for each flight in alphabetical order. Award booking classes are generally not displayed. You need fairly detailed knowledge of what each booking class represents for the particular airline in order to be able to interpret.

Routes for which no simple connecting flights exist return no results.

KVS

www.kvstool.com is a subscription based software which includes several booking class lookup tools (amongst other functions). A download is required to use the tools through the site.

KVS is good for expert users as it provides different lookup tools which utilise the various different Computer Reservation Systems (CRS) used by airlines. As discussed previously, airlines use different CRS. Using the appropriate lookup tool for the native CRS of the specific airline you wish to fly will provide more accurate (up to date) and complete results than using one of the other CRSes. The site and FAQ provides guidance on which of the several lookup tools to use for many major airlines.

Thus, KVS is able to return information on some award and upgrade booking classes, as well as all paid booking classes. Results are sorted from highest cabin to lowest and from the most flexible booking class to least flexible within a class of travel. This form of display is intuitive to interpret for most people.

For expert users the ability to compare availability results using different tools can be interesting.

Expert Flyer

www.expertflyer.com is also a subscription service that includes booking class lookup and other tools but it does not require a download to use.

Expert Flyer returns similar results to KVS.

Interpreting availability results

This is the topic for another flyer tip, but here is a sneak preview.

Example results

J0 C0 D0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 O9

J, C and D are booking classes for business class on this particular airline. Being zeroed out means they have no seats available for sale at any fare (even the outrageously high full fares). The other booking classes are economy and all show at least 9 seats available for sale. The airline is welling to sell any of its fares (subject to fare rules eg advance purchase) as the flight is not too full.

However, in this case the results above are for a codeshare. The operating airline of the same flight has these results

J4 D4 I4 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V4 S9 N4 Q9 O4

(In seatcounter this would appear as B9 D4 H9 I4 J4 K9 L9 M9 N4 O4 Q9 S9 V4 Y9 – harder to interpret.)

J, D and I are booking classes for business class used by the operating airline. I4 means they are willing to sell even their cheapest business class fare. At some stage before departure the operating airline and codeshare airline may decide to rebalance availability by giving some more seats to the codeshare airline to boost revenues. For example the operating airline could change their business class availability to J4 D3 I0 and the codeshare airline to J2 C0 D0 – any extra business class seats sold would then be at high fares not heavily discounted.

The operating airline is also willing to sell even their cheapest fares in economy. There is no chance of an operational upgrade (economy is not oversold) or a bump on this flight (the flight is not full). Someone submitting a mileage upgrade has some chance of success (business class isn’t too full).

Note, the willingness to sell cheapest fares in economy by both codeshare and operating airline does not mean the flight is empty. It could be that date of the flight is imminent and neither airline expects to sell higher fares, or it could be that the ability to buy cheap fares is constrained by advance purchase and other fare requirements meaning booking class O (for example) can’t now be bought in practice for this flight.

Readers familiar with booking classes, and the eagle-eyed, may have noticed the booking classes used by the codeshare and operating airlines differ slightly. This is why the ranked order listing is so useful as it reduces the need for detailed knowledge of booking classes for every airline (as long as you know the main ones such as Y for full fare economy class).

Wrap Up

This post has covered 3 booking class availability tools and given a simple example to interpret. Later posts in the Flyer Tips series will show more how to interpret the results in order to save money. There is a lot more information on Flyer Talk, but this info is not easy to find.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Barbados

Source: Wikimedia

Barbados is easy to reach by cruise ship or by air. Several airlines fly to Barbados including:

• Star Alliance – Air Canada (from Montreal & Toronto), US Airways (from Charlotte and Philadelphia)
• Oneworld – American (from Miami, New York and San Juan), British Airways (from London)
• Sky Team – Delta (from Atlanta)
• Other selected – Virgin Atlantic, most Caribbean airlines (eg LIAT, SVG Air, etc), some low cost airlines from North America and Europe

TIP On the Caribbean airlines the cheapest fares tend to be only available booking directly (on website if airline has one).

TIP Barbados is a useful stop on a Oneworld RTW or award ticket. The prohibition on mileage earning and redemption for American AAdvantage on British Airways trans-Atlantic flights and BA Executive Club on American trans-Atlantic flights does not apply for flights via the Caribbean.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.