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
“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 us what you're willing to pay to upgrade your seat from Economy Class to Business Class. Once you have obtained confirmed flight tickets, you wil…”
Source: flysaa.com · checked Sep 21, 2026
“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. Starting from 10 USD _________________________________________________________________________________________________ What is MY EXTRA SEAT? There is a new way…”
Source: flysaa.com · checked Sep 21, 2026
“can then be used to change or cancel your request. You will also receive an updated e-ticket with your new travel information and the amount you offered will be deducted from your credit card. Note: Your credit card will not be charged unless your offer is successful Step-Up Terms and Conditions Col…”
Source: flysaa.com · checked Sep 21, 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.
Can I change or cancel my South African Airways upgrade bid after submitting it?
Yes — a South African Airways upgrade bid can be changed or cancelled any time until South African Airways makes its decision. Once a bid is accepted it's final and your card is charged. To update or withdraw it, use South African Airways's Manage My Booking / offer page, or check your booking here (booking ••••••e + last name) and I can help you modify or cancel it.
When is my card charged for a South African Airways upgrade bid?
Only if your bid is accepted. Submitting a South African Airways upgrade bid authorizes your card for the bid amount, but nothing is charged unless South African Airways accepts it — if the bid is declined or expires, the authorization is released and you pay nothing, keeping your original cabin. If it's accepted, the card you provided is charged the amount you offered and your upgrade is confirmed.
When will I find out if my South African Airways upgrade bid was accepted?
South African Airways decides upgrade bids before your flight — often close to departure, once the operator knows how much cabin space is left. You'll be notified by email either way at the address on your offer. You don't need to keep checking, but you can see your bid's current status any time by checking your booking here (booking ••••••e + last name) or on South African Airways's Manage My Booking page.