South African Airways award flights
13 loyalty programs can book South African Airways award flights: Air New Zealand Airpoints, ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles, Emirates Skywards, EVA Air Infinity MileageLands, Lufthansa Miles & More and 7 more. South African Airways loads its schedule 358 days before departure. Through Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles you can only book it 331 days out, because that's when its own window opens.
Programs that book it
13
Schedule opens
358 days out
Shortest program window
331 days
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Alliance
Star Alliance
Programs that can book South African Airways
Earliest-opening first. Each one opens on the later of the airline's schedule and its own booking window.
Star AllianceAir New Zealand Airpoints
Opens 358 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
Star AllianceANA Mileage Club
Opens 358 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
48-hour hold by phone1 stopover per round trip
Star AllianceAvianca LifeMiles
Opens 358 days before departure
No holds+1
PartnerEmirates Skywards
Opens 358 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
24-hour hold by phone1 stopover each way+2
Star AllianceEVA Air Infinity MileageLands
Opens 358 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
24-hour hold2 stopovers per round trip
Star AllianceLufthansa Miles & More
Opens 358 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
Holds by phone2 stopovers per round trip
Star AllianceSingapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Opens 358 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
No holds1 stopover per round trip+2
Star AllianceTAP Miles&Go
Opens 358 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
No holds1 stopover per round trip
Star AllianceThai Royal Orchid Plus
Opens 358 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
No holds1 stopover each way
Star AllianceAir Canada Aeroplan
Opens 355 days before departure · program's window is shorter
No holds1 stopover each way
Star AllianceUnited MileagePlus
Opens 337 days before departure · program's window is shorter
No holds
Star AllianceTurkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
Opens 331 days before departure · program's window is shorter
48-hour hold by phone1 stopover per round trip
PartnerVirgin Atlantic Flying Club
Opens 331 days before departure · program's window is shorter
24-hour hold by phone+3
What South African Airways award flights cost
Miles one way on typical South African Airways routes, from each program's award chart as the Award Flight Pricer reads it (as of November 2026). Taxes and fees are estimates for the direction shown; open a row to see what's in them. The fewest miles in business on each route are highlighted.
Johannesburg–Sao PauloJNB–GRU · 4,622 mi
Search this route- Virgin Atlantic Flying ClubEconomy35,000Business55,000 (fewest miles)Taxes & fees$65–405
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Partner carrier surcharges may add about $30–340.
- ANA Mileage ClubEconomy34,000Business58,500Taxes & fees$55–465
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Includes South African Airways fuel surcharges. ANA charges no booking fee.
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyerEconomy36,500Business63,500Taxes & fees$55–465
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Includes South African Airways fuel surcharges. KrisFlyer charges no booking fee.
- Emirates SkywardsEconomy30,000Business75,000Taxes & fees$35–415
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Some partners' fuel surcharges may be passed on, mainly in premium cabins; Skywards adds no booking fee.
- Air Canada AeroplanEconomy45,000Business80,000Taxes & fees$63–93
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Aeroplan adds no fuel surcharges; partner flights carry a CA$39 (~$28) booking fee.
- EVA Air Infinity MileageLandsEconomy60,000Business87,500Taxes & fees$55–465
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Includes South African Airways fuel surcharges, which EVA passes on.
- Avianca LifeMilesEconomy60,000Business97,500Taxes & fees$60–90
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. LifeMiles adds no fuel surcharges; a $25 booking fee applies.
- Thai Royal Orchid PlusEconomy60,000Business100,000Taxes & fees$55–465
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Includes South African Airways fuel surcharges, which Royal Orchid Plus passes on. Royal Orchid Plus charges no booking fee.
3 more programs price this route in the Award Flight Pricer.
Johannesburg–PerthJNB–PER · 5,163 mi
Search this route- Virgin Atlantic Flying ClubEconomy42,500Business55,000 (fewest miles)Taxes & fees$65–385
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Partner carrier surcharges may add about $30–340.
- ANA Mileage ClubEconomy35,000Business66,500Taxes & fees$55–445
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Includes South African Airways fuel surcharges. ANA charges no booking fee.
- Air Canada AeroplanEconomy60,000Business92,500Taxes & fees$63–73
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Aeroplan adds no fuel surcharges; partner flights carry a CA$39 (~$28) booking fee.
- EVA Air Infinity MileageLandsEconomy50,000Business92,500Taxes & fees$55–445
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Includes South African Airways fuel surcharges, which EVA passes on.
- Emirates SkywardsEconomy37,500Business94,000Taxes & fees$35–395
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Some partners' fuel surcharges may be passed on, mainly in premium cabins; Skywards adds no booking fee.
- Avianca LifeMilesEconomy50,000Business95,000Taxes & fees$60–70
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. LifeMiles adds no fuel surcharges; a $25 booking fee applies.
- TAP Miles&GoEconomy60,000Business105,000Taxes & fees$80–440
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. This partner's fuel surcharges may be passed on. Miles&Go charges a €40 online partner service fee (€50 by phone).
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyerEconomy57,500Business112,000Taxes & fees$55–445
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Includes South African Airways fuel surcharges. KrisFlyer charges no booking fee.
3 more programs price this route in the Award Flight Pricer.
Johannesburg–MauritiusJNB–MRU · 1,905 mi
Search this route- Air Canada AeroplanEconomy15,000Business22,500 (fewest miles)Taxes & fees$63–73
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Aeroplan adds no fuel surcharges; partner flights carry a CA$39 (~$28) booking fee.
- Virgin Atlantic Flying ClubEconomy20,000Business25,000Taxes & fees$65–385
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Partner carrier surcharges may add about $30–340.
- Thai Royal Orchid PlusEconomy17,500Business27,500Taxes & fees$55–445
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Includes South African Airways fuel surcharges, which Royal Orchid Plus passes on. Royal Orchid Plus charges no booking fee.
- ANA Mileage ClubEconomy17,500Business30,000Taxes & fees$55–445
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Includes South African Airways fuel surcharges. ANA charges no booking fee.
- Avianca LifeMilesEconomy17,500Business33,000Taxes & fees$60–70
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. LifeMiles adds no fuel surcharges; a $25 booking fee applies.
- Turkish Airlines Miles&SmilesEconomy25,000Business35,000Taxes & fees$45–445
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Partner fuel surcharges may apply; no booking fee.
- Emirates SkywardsEconomy17,000Business42,500Taxes & fees$35–395
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Some partners' fuel surcharges may be passed on, mainly in premium cabins; Skywards adds no booking fee.
- TAP Miles&GoEconomy30,000Business45,000Taxes & fees$80–440
South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. This partner's fuel surcharges may be passed on. Miles&Go charges a €40 online partner service fee (€50 by phone).
2 more programs price this route in the Award Flight Pricer.
Transferable points that reach South African Airways
Through the programs above.
- Amex Membership RewardsANA Mileage Club, Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, Emirates Skywards, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Chase Ultimate RewardsAir Canada Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, United MileagePlus, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Citi ThankYou RewardsAvianca LifeMiles, EVA Air Infinity MileageLands, Emirates Skywards, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Thai Royal Orchid Plus, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Capital One MilesAir Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, EVA Air Infinity MileageLands, Emirates Skywards, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, TAP Miles&Go, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Bilt RewardsAir Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, Emirates Skywards, TAP Miles&Go, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, United MileagePlus, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Wells Fargo RewardsAvianca LifeMiles, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Marriott BonvoyANA Mileage Club, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air New Zealand Airpoints, Avianca LifeMiles, Emirates Skywards, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, TAP Miles&Go, Thai Royal Orchid Plus, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, United MileagePlus, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Rove MilesAir Canada Aeroplan, Lufthansa Miles & More, Thai Royal Orchid Plus, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Amex Membership Rewards (UK)Emirates Skywards, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Brex RewardsAvianca LifeMiles, Emirates Skywards, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- HSBC Rewards (UK)Emirates Skywards, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Frequently asked questions
Which programs can book South African Airways award flights?
Air New Zealand Airpoints, ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles, Emirates Skywards (partner), EVA Air Infinity MileageLands, Lufthansa Miles & More, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, TAP Miles&Go, Thai Royal Orchid Plus, Air Canada Aeroplan, United MileagePlus, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (partner). Each has its own prices, taxes and rules, so compare a few before you transfer points.
How many miles does South African Airways business class cost?
The cheapest programs charge, one way: Johannesburg–Sao Paulo 55,000 with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Johannesburg–Perth 55,000 with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Johannesburg–Mauritius 22,500 with Air Canada Aeroplan. Programs that price by date can cost more on busy days.
How much are taxes and fees on South African Airways award flights?
On Johannesburg–Sao Paulo they run from about $35 one way with Emirates Skywards to as much as $465 with Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles. With Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles: South African air passenger tax plus airport charges. Partner fuel surcharges may apply; no booking fee.
When do South African Airways award seats open?
South African Airways loads its schedule 358 days before departure. Some programs search a shorter window, so you can only book it through them later: Air Canada Aeroplan (355 days), United MileagePlus (337 days), Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles (331 days) and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (331 days).
Which transferable points can book South African Airways flights?
Amex Membership Rewards (through ANA Mileage Club, Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles and 3 more), Chase Ultimate Rewards (through Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, United MileagePlus and 1 more), Citi ThankYou Rewards (through Avianca LifeMiles, EVA Air Infinity MileageLands, Emirates Skywards and 4 more), Capital One Miles (through Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, EVA Air Infinity MileageLands and 5 more), Bilt Rewards (through Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, Emirates Skywards and 4 more), Wells Fargo Rewards (through Avianca LifeMiles and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club) and 5 more. Transfer only once you've found the seat, since transfers usually can't be reversed.
More Star Alliance airlines
Partners and booking windows change. Confirm award space on the program's site before you transfer points.