1. BUSINESS TRAVELJust over 90 days to go and the excitement is building!
As the date of this “soccer feast” draws near, we understand you have concerns regarding travel
arrangements over this period. Although travel services will be in peak demand, we are pleased to advise that
availability still exists with many suppliers. Corporate travel can certainly be facilitated during June and July,
but it will require good planning and some flexibility to ensure that inconveniences are overcome.
Since our last update we have worked hard to secure meaningful information from various suppliers and we
share some of this below:
DOMESTIC AIRSAA has indicated that Economy (Y) and Business Class (J) tickets will have a non-refundable ruling during this
time. A reminder again that SAA has advised that they will not be overbooking flights during the World Cup period
and nor will any standby’s be accepted. SAA has also indicated that they will maintain the corporate discount fare
structure during this period. It is important to remember that the SAA corporate upfront fares are linked to their
published price; hence the discount structure will be applicable, although the fares will be higher than normal.
SAA is offering a number of different fare categories with cheaper flights that will be made available in the run up
to the World Cup. The increases are limited and have been implemented to offset the higher cost of running a 24-
hour operation, which SAA has planned for the duration of the World Cup. Despite this increase, SAA is still
offering some of the least expensive fares available locally.
SAA intends to operate a 24-hour schedule to accommodate the various match times and have thus far adapted
their normal flight schedule to add extra flights to all destinations in their current domestic network. Their schedule
over the 2010 soccer period will be adapted as demand dictates in the lead up to kick-off on 11 June. SAA have
opened all seats thus far in Full Economy and Business Class fares and demand for these has been very good.
The supplier information in this report is supplied and verified by HRG Rennies Travel. Every effort has been made to be as
thorough and accurate as possible. All information is provided "as is" and without any representation or warranty.
HRG Rennies Travel Proprietary Documentation
Due to expected limited availability of seats, SAA is offering Voyager members the opportunity to apply for a 6-
month extension of miles due to expire on 31 March 10. This will ensure that your miles will only expire at the end
of September - please note that an administration fee of 1500 miles will be charged to process this application.
SAA has also partnered with Match, the official provider of tickets, accommodation and logistics for this year’s
soccer event. SAA will be operating a fleet of aircraft and flights on behalf of Match according to their
requirements. The flight schedule for these Match aircraft will not be available through SAA’s booking system, or
its website (
http://www.flysaa.com), and Voyager members will not be able to earn miles on Match aircraft. These flights
will be reflected on the information systems at the airports. Tickets on the SAA and Match fleets will also not be
interchangeable.
BA Comair continues to honour the percentage discounts negotiated with their corporate clients, even though
there has been a slight increase in Full Economy and Business Class fares during this period. Cheaper inventory
is available around non peak travel days but certain days around the big matches will be oversubscribed and
there will be very limited availability on specific routes.
Kulula.comclaims to have consistently offered the lowest airfares during the tournament and is now challenging
other airlines to similarly reduce prices. The airline has added 28 000 seats, mostly on its new Boeing 737-800
aircraft, and undertaken to provide an additional 15 000 seats if demand for World Cup seats grows. Many of the
additional flights are to and from Lanseria, which has proved to be a popular choice for World Cup travellers for its
ease of use and low cost flights - flights from that airport during June 2010 are still being sold from as little as
R419.
Itime expects a huge excess capacity in seat availability over this period – more news to follow on this closer to
the time.
The supplier information in this report is supplied and verified by HRG Rennies Travel. Every effort has been made to be as
thorough and accurate as possible. All information is provided "as is" and without any representation or warranty.
HRG Rennies Travel Proprietary Documentation
ACCOMMODATION
The general consensus is that most of the available inventory is contracted to Match and rooms are being
released sporadically and availability changes almost daily. The dates that most hotels are stating they are full are
match days but surrounding those days most have some room availability.
Southern Sun has advised that they do still have some availability but not on Match high demand days. Currently
any confirmations during this period require full payment immediately and if payment is not received rooms are
cancelled. Cancellation charges are as follows:
For rooms cancelled from now until 15 April: 50% cancellation charge
For rooms cancelled from 15 April – 15 May: 75% cancellation charge
For rooms cancelled after 15 May: 100% cancellation fee.
Protea Hotels indicated that they have limited availability at a few hotels in the Western Cape during games but
that Johannesburg is still a concern at present. They require full pre-payment within 2 working days of reservation,
failing which the reservation will be released. No cancellations permitted i.e. full cancellation fees apply once
payment is made.
City Lodge indicated that they will not be asking for long stays but bookings will need to be made on their
website, with payment upfront and 100% cancellation fee – our travel consultants will assist with this, but will need
to be provided with the traveller’s credit card details in order to do so. Only on match days are their hotels
generally fully booked, otherwise they should have availability.
The Three Cities Group has indicated that apart from match days they have availability.
The supplier information in this report is supplied and verified by HRG Rennies Travel. Every effort has been made to be as
thorough and accurate as possible. All information is provided "as is" and without any representation or warranty.
HRG Rennies Travel Proprietary Documentation
GROUND TRANSPORTCertain major industry suppliers, such as Avis Rent-a-Car, have indicated that vehicles in the premium range,
such as Mercedes and VW Caravelles, are not available from May to July 2010. As of 01 May and 01 June,
requests for Group D and higher vehicles will require a minimum rental period of 5 days.
Budget Car and Van Rental has indicated that corporate rates will apply to lower car groups but that special
rates will apply from Group D upwards. If bookings are made on Group D upwards a deposit will be required for
travel agent bill-backs and leisure bookings. The need for a deposit will NOT apply for bookings made on bill-back
to corporate clients. No show fees and cancellation fees will apply.
Europcar says that the smaller economy and compact vehicles have proved very popular which has caused their
limited availability, but that there are still some vehicles available. We recommend bookings between June and
mid July be done in advance. They have reserved a portion of their fleet for their Platinum Class customers, select
business customers and partners. Europcar is not able to guarantee vehicle upgrades, especially in the luxury
vehicle and people-carrier categories during this period.
Again, through our Destination Management Company (DMC) we have access to a fleet of transfer vehicles in
the Johannesburg and Cape Town areas. Any request for transfers during the June/ July period can be sent
through to us and we will try and assist where possible.
Although we are not able to guarantee any flights, cars or accommodation we will do everything
possible to secure inventory on your behalf.
The supplier information in this report is supplied and verified by HRG Rennies Travel. Every effort has been made to be as
thorough and accurate as possible. All information is provided "as is" and without any representation or warranty.
