Flying to Africa on Points: Taxes, Fees, and the Best Routings

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated July 2026

The short answer: Reaching Africa on points is very doable, and the fees come down to two things: South Africa’s airport departure taxes, the most notable government charge in the region, and which airline you connect on. Ethiopian Airlines booked through United or Aeroplan is the surcharge-free workhorse with broad coverage, while connecting through London on British Airways or on Emirates stacks heavy surcharges you can avoid.

Africa is more reachable than it looks

Africa feels far and expensive, but the award options are better than most people expect. Ethiopian Airlines runs a huge Star Alliance network out of its Addis Ababa hub, Kenya Airways covers East Africa on SkyTeam, and Royal Air Maroc connects North and West Africa on oneworld. The fees you pay depend on which of these you route through, plus the government taxes at your final country.

South Africa’s departure taxes

South Africa levies airport and air passenger taxes on departure from Johannesburg and Cape Town that are the most notable government charge in the region, though still moderate compared with UK Air Passenger Duty. Most other African countries charge standard airport fees. Egypt is a departure-tax outlier worth checking, which we cover in the global high-tax list.

The connections that add surcharges

As everywhere, the airline and program you connect on decide the surcharge.

Routing	Fuel surcharge	Verdict
Ethiopian Airlines via United or Aeroplan	Low to none	The value workhorse
Kenya Airways via Delta (SkyTeam)	Low	Good for East Africa
Through London on British Airways	Very high, plus UK Air Passenger Duty	Avoid
Through the Gulf on Emirates	Very high	Surcharge trap to southern Africa

The pattern rhymes with every other region: avoid a London connection and Emirates, and lean on surcharge-free programs.

Ethiopian and Kenya Airways, the value routes

Ethiopian is the standout. Its network reaches deep across the continent, and booked through United or Aeroplan it carries little to no fuel surcharge, so you can reach most of Africa in a lie-flat seat for modest cash. Kenya Airways, bookable through Delta as a SkyTeam partner, is a solid choice for East Africa. See programs that avoid fuel surcharges for how to keep the airline half of the bill down.

How to fly to Africa cheaply

Book Ethiopian through United or Aeroplan for broad, surcharge-free African coverage.
Use Kenya Airways via Delta for East Africa.
Avoid London and Emirates connections, which stack surcharges and, via London, a government tax.
Budget for South Africa’s departure taxes if that is your destination, and compare the full total. See how the fee math works.

See exactly what an award costs

Stop guessing at point values. Look up the real award price and live availability for a specific trip before you transfer.

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Frequently asked questions

Which African country has the highest award taxes?

South Africa’s airport and air passenger taxes are the most notable in the region, though moderate compared with the UK. Egypt also charges a departure tax worth checking.

What is the cheapest way to fly to Africa on points?

Book Ethiopian Airlines through United or Aeroplan, which carries little to no fuel surcharge and reaches most of the continent, or Kenya Airways through Delta for East Africa.

Should I avoid connecting through London to Africa?

Yes, if you can. A London connection adds UK Air Passenger Duty and, on British Airways, a large fuel surcharge, both avoidable by routing through Addis Ababa or a Gulf hub on the right program.

Does Ethiopian Airlines charge fuel surcharges?

Booked through United or Aeroplan, Ethiopian carries little to no fuel surcharge, which is why it is a favorite for reaching Africa in premium cabins.

Do you pay taxes on award flights to Africa?

Yes, standard airport and departure taxes apply, with South Africa’s being the most notable, and some connections add airline surcharges that the right program avoids.