Discovery Bank announced via a press release last Friday, that it would help Vitality members who are Discovery Bank clients and who had booked a discounted flight on Comair departing from June 1 onwards (ie, a flight that was cancelled due to the announcement of the liquidation of Comair).
The bank said it would automatically refund the amount spent on that flight into the Vitality member’s Discovery Bank account by close of business last Friday, June 10.
This refund process was automatic, so no action was required from members.
The bank said international flights, car-hire and accommodation bookings made on the kulula.com website remain unaffected.
Now, the bank says to make alternative travel arrangements and new discounted travel bookings with any of its travel partners, ie local flights with FlySafair, Airlink and Lift; international flights; accommodation and car hire; clients can access the Vitality Travel platform through the Discovery Bank website on their desktop.
While the bank says it is working on alternative solutions for Vitality members who are not Discovery Bank clients, the bank says affected Vitality members who booked a discounted flight can open a Discovery Bank account before June 30, to facilitate an immediate refund and make bookings on the Vitality Travel platform.
Discovery Vitality CEO, Dinesh Govender, says: “We apologise to all those affected and hope these efforts will help alleviate their situation. Comair has been one of Vitality’s longest standing partners, and we are saddened by the news. It is devastating for Comair’s passengers, staff and partners, as well as for the travel sector.”
These refunds are being deposited into the client’s Discovery Bank transaction account. If the client does not have a transaction account, the refund will be deposited into their Discovery Bank credit card account or their savings account.
If clients have been reaccommodated on to another flight through arrangements made by Comair or British Airways, the bank will reverse the Discovery Bank travel refund.
Those who do not want the cash refund are advised to call Discovery Bank at 0800 07 96 97 to reverse the refund and get Comair to put them back into their credit and refund process.
