Planning our Christmas South Africa Trip

Here we are waiting for our flight to go to our 2011 chosen holiday destination. We decide on this idea way back in November and immediately booked our ticket thinking that Christmas has its own rush that will make our options limited. So, we booked our flight, hotels, car and whatever else are needed for this Christmas holiday.

For the flight, I chose business but went for the cheapest advertised at Orbitz, a flight with Ethiopian Airlines thinking it was a member of Star Alliance. I don't know where I read this but there I was, frequent traveler that I am, just assuming this to be the case. My husband started to do his research on Ethiopian Airlines as we have never taken this before and yes, it is working hard to be part of the Star Alliance. The fact that Lufthansa is helping them made us feel more secure.

I got a bit nervous but then shelved it in an easy hiding compartment in my thoughts. One day, lo and behold, I got an email from Orbitz that Ethiopian cancelled the flight and if I can make another arrangement. Almost just a week before departure, this was unnerving. I called up Orbitz and moved the flight to another day but each time, I decide on the itinerary and Orbitz move to process it, the flight is gone. And worst, I had been cut off three times, too just when it is processing time. I finally took charge myself and went to Orbitz website and ended up booking a flight which is almost double the original price but in South African Airlines which is a much better airline and the flight going is direct to Johannesburg and then to Capetown.

There was another hitch, though. What I could get through Orbitz site is a connecting flight to Capetown in late afternoon which means a whole day wait at Johannesburg airport so another search to find out if there was still place in earlier South African Airlines flight from Johannesburg to Capetown. Upon ascertaining this, another call to Orbitz and with a processing fee for the change, we will have an earlier connection. I spent so many hours and felt so much stressed. I know thought that I can go through different routes and with patience we will get ourselves to South Africa.

I have learned my lesson. From now on, I will only book with airlines that have sufficient number of planes and have constant flights in my itinerary. Cheap is not good value when this happens. I could have gotten a much less expensive ticket in other airlines the first time we booked but I chose the cheapest and ended up going for the expensive flights as these were the only ones with seats available.

We are determined to enjoy this holiday and follow our trip as we go through some fabulous places in Capetown and vicinity.