Thebe Travel Card

By Judiet Barnes

The idea of traveling can be so daunting to many people but it doesn’t have to be. The Thebe Travel Card has found a way of making travel accessible to every person by reducing the hassles. Having access to some of South Africa’s best travel destinations is now a click, text or phone call away.

1. What is the Thebe Travel Card?

The Thebe Travel Card is a travel enabler and lifestyle programme for South Africans. Brought to you by Thebe Tourism Group the card is a lifestyle programme designed especially for the fast-paced go-getter as well as an easy payment solution in the form of credit and lay-by. The programme provides members with exclusive deals, discounted services and professional advice that simplify their lives. Some examples of what you can expect from your Thebe Travel Card includes: up to R400 off experiences and spa’s; 60% off movie tickets; a R100 discount on your restaurant bill; access to your own personal assistant, emergency services and much, much more!
With the Thebe Travel Card, you have the option to travel now and pay later, through a simple credit application, financing for travel could be approved within minutes provided the applicant has a clean credit history. This facility offers easy repayment terms, making travel both accessible and affordable. If, however, credit is not your first choice, you can choose to pay for your travel package through the lay by option.

2. Who has access to this card?

The card is available to all South Africans. Accessibility is a primary goal of the Thebe Tourism Group, through the Thebe Travel Card we are making this goal a reality.

3. How does it work? Is it a monthly subscription?

Yes, members pay a monthly subscription of R47.50. This membership gives you access to the exclusive lifestyle programme associated with the card. To sign up, simply send us an email, call us or fill in the online application. You will be asked to send your FICA* documentation along with your application. Once this is received, your card will be couriered directly to you and once received you can start using your benefits immediately.
*FICA documentation required is a clear copy of your ID book and proof of residence (not older than 3 months).

4. What are the benefits of having a Thebe Travel Card?

The Thebe Travel Card will revolutionise your life, giving you direct access to a range of services that will make your life easier, simpler and less expensive. Thebe Travel Card caters for your every need and the extensive range of services includes a personal assistant, negotiator, roadside assistance, medical access, travel arrangements, entertainment, wellbeing packages and much more.
Plus, you get to enjoy special discounted deals on travel packages, experiences, spa treatments and movie tickets. But that’s not all – the Thebe Travel Card call centre is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

5. What is the link between the Thebe Travel Card and Holiday Swap KZN?

The Thebe Travel card launched during Holiday Swap KZN, were the participating teams’ earned prize money which were loaded onto the card; The Thebe Travel Card also offered exclusive travel packages to the locations seen on Holiday Swap with easy payment solutions for viewers to visit and experience the same activities that the contestants experienced; with the option of financing or lay-by-ing these travel packages.

6. What are the different types of packages one can find?

At the start of each month we load a number of new exclusive packages onto the website for our members to choose from. We ensure that there is something for everybody: from self-catering to 5* accommodation offers; varied lengths of stay and varied experiences ranging from bush; berg; sea in all major hubs of South Africa. We also encourage members to let us know where they would like to travel to so we appeal to their requirements.

7. How does one pay for a travel package using the Thebe Travel Card?

The payment process is very simple: Firstly, browse the various packages on the Thebe Travel Card website and select the package you would like. If you have the cash available to book for your package, your dream holiday is only a direct payment away. If you would like to credit your package with our travel-now-pay-later option or lay-by* the credit team from FinYou, will contact you to guide and assist you with your application – once your supporting documentation has been submitted and your financing approved, you get to travel! There’s more good news – you can also ‘top up’ your loan by requesting additional spending money for meals and other ‘extras’ you may want to add which is not included in the package.
*Lay-by is only for packages that do not include flights.

8. Does the Thebe Travel Card only work in KZN? If not, what other areas can it be used?

The card is a mastercard and can be used at all retailers and bank auto-machines that accept this throughout South Africa.

9. How do I make my first payment into the card? And can I top up the card at any time?

Funds can be loaded onto the Thebe Travel Card at any time. Deposits can be made via EFT or Bank Deposit at any ABSA bank. Normal bank charges and clearing periods apply. You will use your 16 digit card number as the beneficiary reference number when making a deposit.

To check your account balance, you can access your Thebe Travel Card online, via mobile or contact our customer care centre between 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday by contacting the PayAll helpdesk on 0861 PAYALL (729255)

Should you wish to access your Thebe Travel Card online, you can do so via payallmoney.co.za. You will be able to check your balance, transfer funds between Thebe Travel Cards, change your log-in details or cancel/block your card. Your unique Username and Password was sent to you via SMS when you purchased your holiday, however, this can be obtained via the customer call centre.
Below is a list of online self-service available to you:

Upload Current FICA Documents
Check Balance
Statement Download
Check Transaction History
Pin Change Request
Stop Card
SMS notification
Card to Card Transfers

You can also download the WhatsOnMyCard Smart Application from your appropriate online App Store. The mobile platforms are supported by Apple, Blackberry and Android. Balance enquiries can be requested via SMS to 34246*. All details here

*SMS’s are charged at R2 per SMS.

10. My Assistant and My Negotiator are great ideas but how does one use these functions?

The My Assistant and My Negotiator benefits are just a call away: our Call Centre is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and these friendly agents are on hand to assist you as follow:

My Assistant

Would you like to know what events and entertainment are on in and around your area? Looking for a great party venue and caterer for your birthday? Looking for a plumber? We have the where, what and how!
Don’t spend all day on the phone or surfing online, when you have your own dedicated personal assistant to do it for you.

My Negotiator

Let the Thebe Travel Card negotiate the best possible deal on whatever you are buying. Our database of over 140 000 national, customer-graded suppliers will ensure that you get the best deal possible. Why pay full price when we can negotiate a better deal with the same supplier?

To start enjoying the benefits of the Thebe Travel Card click here.

Enjoy the convenient world of travel!