airline · Voyager
South African Airways upgrades
South African Airways offers an upgrade program: eligible passengers can place a bid to upgrade to a premium cabin (such as Premium Economy or Business), and are only charged if the bid is accepted. Availability depends on fare/cabin type, route, and timing.
Check your South African Airways upgrade eligibility
See if your booking can be upgraded — enter your booking reference and last name in a secure form, right in the chat. Your details are never shared with the assistant.
Check eligibility →Products offered
- Bid UpgradeOpen page →
Offer an amount within a set range to upgrade to a higher cabin or cabin category. You're only charged if your bid is accepted — if it loses, there's no charge.
- Seat Blocker (Empty Seat)Open page →
Pay to keep the seat(s) next to you empty for more personal space — branded by carriers as Empty Seat, Neighbour-Free Seat, Double Comfort, Bubble Seat, and similar.
- How to upgrade
- Visit South African Airways's official upgrade page and enter your booking reference and last name to see available upgrade offers: https://www.flysaa.com/plan-book/add-to-your-experience/cabin-upgrade-with-step-up
- Loyalty program
- Voyager
From South African Airways's own upgrade pages
“dditional Seats with Step-Up Social Icons Facebook Twitter Linkedin Instagram Social Icons Facebook Twitter Linkedin Instagram Additional Seats with Step-Up WANT NO ONE SITTING NEXT TO YOU? Secure your space with MY EXTRA SEAT. Block the seat(s) next to you and guarantee no one sits beside you. Star…”
Source: flysaa.com · checked Aug 3, 2026
“pgrade with Step-Up Social Icons Facebook Twitter Linkedin Instagram Social Icons Facebook Twitter Linkedin Instagram Cabin Upgrade with Step-Up We are delighted to offer you a fantastic opportunity to experience luxury travel at its finest. With South African Airways Step-Up Cabin Upgrade you tell…”
Source: flysaa.com · checked Aug 3, 2026
“rol you want. Travel with more comfort, space and peace of mind. Choose MY EXTRA SEAT on your next flight, enabling you to block the seat(s) next to you, guaranteeing that no one sits beside you. More space & comfort that’s 34’’ more. For comparison, extra legroom seating only gives you 2’’. Can be…”
Source: flysaa.com · checked Aug 3, 2026
Frequently asked
Does South African Airways offer upgrades?
South African Airways offers an upgrade program: eligible passengers can place a bid to upgrade to a premium cabin (such as Premium Economy or Business), and are only charged if the bid is accepted. Availability depends on fare/cabin type, route, and timing.
What upgrade options does South African Airways offer?
South African Airways offers Bid Upgrade, Seat Blocker (Empty Seat).
How does South African Airways's bid (offer) upgrade work?
You name an amount — within a range shown for your booking — to move up to a higher cabin. It's an offer, not a fixed price: you're only charged if South African Airways accepts it. If your offer isn't accepted you pay nothing and keep your original seat.
How do I check if my South African Airways booking can be upgraded?
Check your specific booking with Upgrade Agent: enter your booking reference and last name and you'll see the upgrade options and price ranges available on your flights — you don't need to dig through South African Airways's website. Visit South African Airways's official upgrade page and enter your booking reference and last name to see available upgrade offers: https://www.flysaa.com/plan-book/add-to-your-experience/cabin-upgrade-with-step-up
Who is eligible for a South African Airways upgrade?
Eligibility depends on your fare type, route, and how close to departure you are — not every fare or flight qualifies, and offers usually open within a window before departure. The reliable way to know is to check your specific booking rather than assume.
When am I charged for a South African Airways upgrade?
Only if your offer is accepted. With bid upgrades the charge happens when the upgrade is confirmed — typically in the days before departure. If your offer isn't accepted, there's no charge.
How will I know if my South African Airways upgrade offer was accepted?
South African Airways notifies you — usually by email — if your offer is accepted, typically shortly before departure. Until then your original booking stands, and you can review your offer's status where you submitted it.
Can I change or cancel my South African Airways upgrade offer?
A pending offer can usually be changed or cancelled any time before it's accepted, from the page where you submitted it. Once an offer is accepted and charged, the upgrade is confirmed.
How much does a South African Airways upgrade cost?
There's no fixed price — you offer within a range shown for your booking, which varies by route, cabin, and demand. You choose where in that range to bid; higher offers can have a better chance of being accepted, though the exact acceptance formula isn't published.
Can I keep the seat next to me empty on South African Airways?
South African Airways offers an empty-seat option — you can offer to keep the adjacent seat (or seats) free for more space, subject to availability. As with bid upgrades, you're only charged if the request is granted.
Can I use Voyager points or miles for a South African Airways upgrade?
South African Airways's loyalty program is Voyager. Depending on the route and the offer shown on your booking, upgrades may be payable with points/miles as well as cash — the options available appear when you check your specific booking.