The new prices are as follows:

96-hour visa: R500 
Tourist visa: R620 

Please note that these prices will only apply to applications received from October 25.

A report released by BCD Travel recently outlines how airlines are either imposing surcharges on tickets bought with credit cards or blocking travel agencies from using airline merchant accounts.

“This phenomenon will find its way into the SA market, albeit a little later than it does in Europe and America,” says md of BidTravel, Allan Lunz.

Allan believes credit card purchases are here to stay. “They offer convenience of use, ease of administration and have far less credit risk for airlines than any other means of payment. It is a seamless way of doing business.”

BCD Travel md, Kananelo Makhetha, agrees: “Credit card payment is an industry standard. Customers have streamlined their invoicing process. Beside this, bigger customers are receiving rebates from the card issuers; travellers are covered by insurance and have access to customer support if something goes wrong.” 

TMCs also benefit through improved cash flow, lower administrative fees, a single settlement method for all suppliers, reduced fiscal liability and reduced credit risk. 

Meanwhile, airlines reap clear benefits from credit card sales, including online sales, income from co-branded cards, quick payments, avoidance of invoice processing and insurance against payment default.

But airlines will be the only winners if this merchant fee model changes.

In view of the latest forecast track of the storm, flights departing and arriving Hong Kong are expected to operate as normal. However, as the typhoon gets closer to Hong Kong later on Friday afternoon and depending on its direction, the possibility of some delays or diversions remains. 

“It is too early to assess now how the typhoon would impact our flights at the end of the week. We are closely monitoring the situation and will post the latest flight information on our website www.cathaypacific.com,” a spokesman for Cathay Pacific said.

Emma Rees, head of property at Gatwick Airport said: “This new hotel development will be  fantastic news for passengers who will have the choice to stay in one of the existing four-star hotels in the North and South Terminals or stay in this more affordable three-star hotel when it opens in 2012.” 

The airport is also investing around £1 billion to modernise its facilities. The South Terminal will have its 1950s building upgraded to modern standards and the North Terminal will be geared towards an increase in capacity to accommodate a further 10 million passengers each year over the next decade. The new hotel offering will support the anticipated growth in passenger numbers.

The new site, TripElated banishes negative travel news by saying: “We know you’re an optimistic bunch and don’t want to hear about doom and gloom. You want upbeat travel news and good holiday reviews. You only want to know about top-rated hotels, super-duper holiday resorts and top pampering spots. That’s why we’ve created TripElated.”

TripElated has a team of dedicated travel reviewers as well as a booking portal that offers hotel accommodation options.

The strikes are in protest at the government’s planned retirement age reforms.

In a statement, British Airways said the strategic alliance was set to launch in October.

The airline continued to say that it would provide customers with greater access to discounted fares, more convenient connections and better access to the airlines’ global network.

“The benefits from the joint business will be shared between the airlines, irrespective of which carrier takes the booking,” BA added.

The service has been established in recognition of the demand for flights to and from Malaysia.

Flight MH201 and MH202, which usually operates via Johannesburg to Cape Town before heading onwards to Buenos Aires, will now operate non-stop from Kuala Lumpur to Cape Town and vice versa. Flight days will remain the same for MH201 and MH202 which depart from Cape Town for Kuala Lumpur every Monday and Thursday.

Malaysia Airlines will also increase frequencies on MH203 and MH204 between Johannesburg and Kuala Lumpur beginning in October.  Currently, the above flights operate non-stop twice a week between Kuala Lumpur and Johannesburg. From October, a third weekly flight will be added and flight schedules will be revised from Tuesday and Friday to Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday respectively.

Flights will depart Johannesburg at 13h40, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 06h10 next morning.  Flights from Kuala Lumpur will leave at 01h20, arriving in Johannesburg the same day at 06h00. 

Cape Town flights will depart at 13h40, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 06h50. The return service will depart Kuala Lumpur at 01h30, arriving in Cape Town at 07h15.

Flights from Buenos Aires will depart at 23h30, arriving in Cape Town at 12h10. The return service will depart Cape Town at 08h55, arriving in Buenos Aires at 13h30.

The airline suspended its international and some regional flights indefinitely, including Lusaka, Lubumbashi and all international flights to London, Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.

However, in a statement, management said they were continuing to renegotiate with the pilots and were doing everything possible to ensure that alternative services were available to minimise inconvenience to passengers.

Passengers affected by the industrial action can contact the airline on +263 4 575111, +263 912 290 463, +263 912 240 585, +263 912 568 806 or +263 912 570 694 or call their travel agents.

The B777-200LR will enable the airline to fly non-stop from Addis Ababa to the US and to more destinations in Asia. Passengers will benefit from large overhead compartments, more spacious seating and centre stowage bins.