Need to know how to book through Vitality Travel and what discounts you qualify for? Any other pressing questions? Read our FAQs here
The Vitality Travel benefit in 2025
Vitality Travel continues to offer the richest flight rewards in South Africa with market-leading discounts on full fares, including taxes and with no Rand caps, and the ability to fly anywhere at a discount on all South African airlines and with British Airways, Emirates, Qantas and United Airlines.
This year, we're aligning our Vitality Travel benefits structure with our other HealthyLiving rewards to get members up to higher rewards quicker.
Flight discounts with the Vitality Health programme:
We are making the Vitality Health Check and Vitality Age assessment the cornerstone of all Vitality benefits. Through these checks, members can unlock higher discounts and maximise their rewards quickly and easily, including for Vitality Travel. This aligns with our long-standing aim: for members to know their health, improve their health and get rewarded for it. As a behaviour change programme, Discovery Vitality rewards members for increasing physical activity, eating healthily and early preventative screening.
By completing a Vitality Health Check, members can detect lifestyle-related diseases early and manage their health risks with tailored interventions. So, the screening-encouraging benefit structure now applies to the Vitality Travel benefit, too.
This means that members can access higher Vitality Travel rewards sooner in the year, more easily. The Vitality Health Check takes just 30 minutes to complete at one of thousands of locations in our pharmacy network. The Vitality Age assessment is a 15-to-20-minute online questionnaire available at discovery.co.za or via our app.
Here's how it work.
- All Vitality members receive a minimum 10% discount on local and international flights.
- Vitality members can boost their discount to 25% on completion of a Vitality Health Check and Vitality Age assessment.
- Members with a qualifying Discovery Bank account can boost their savings up to 75% on flights. Discounts are dependent on qualifying bank account, card colour, product, Vitality Money status and spend.
- All members still get 25% savings on car hire and accommodation.
Flight discounts with the Vitality Money programme:
We're rewarding clients for engaging with Discovery Bank and managing their money well. Qualifying Discovery Bank clients (without Vitality Health) can get up to 50% (previously 40%) off flights based on your qualifying bank account, card colour, product, Vitality Money status and spend.
All clients with a qualifying Discovery Bank account and Vitality Health can still get up to 75% off flights.
Here's how it work:
- All Discovery Bank clients will receive a minimum 10% discount on local and international flights.
- Qualifying Discovery Bank clients can get up to 50% off flights. Discounts are dependent on qualifying bank account, card colour, product, Vitality Money status and spend.
- Qualifying Discovery Bank clients with Vitality Health can boost their discount to 75%. Clients can get the additional 25% discount on completion of a Vitality Health Check and Vitality Age assessment.
- All clients still get 25% savings on car hire and accommodation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Vitality Health Check gives Vitality members a valuable snapshot of their health status by quantifying health metrics for our members. By completing a Vitality Health Check, members can detect lifestyle-related diseases early and manage their health risks with tailored interventions. Discovery data and external literature continue to affirm the link between the results from the five assessments in the Vitality Health Check, and mortality risk.
By assessing waist-adjusted Body Mass Index, cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose and smoking status, members can identify health risks with our clinical experts and proactively manage their risk through lifestyle changes and suitable treatments. These can enhance overall wellbeing and extend years lived in good health.
We're aligning the rewards structure across all our benefits by making the Vitality Age assessment and Vitality Health Check the cornerstone to unlocking higher discounts. This enables members to maximise their rewards more quickly and easily than ever before. Instead of aiming for a gradual high-status reward throughout the year, this reward can be achieved by completing a Vitality Health Check and Vitality Age Assessment at any time.
The reason for this goes back to our core purpose as a behaviour change programme. We know that members who do not screen for health risks are more likely to be at a high risk of illness. Currently, members can still receive fitness points towards their Vitality Health status, despite not screening for five key risk factors, and can thereby increase their rewards status.
This creates a gap for members who need to understand their overall health and wellbeing, as early preventative screening should be the first action one takes towards their health. Vitality rewards members for steps taken towards their good health. Therefore, to earn rewards, we must start with the first, basic step, which is health screening. Our aim for our members is to "Know your health, improve your health and get rewarded".
We know that members who do not screen for health risks are more likely to be at a high risk of illness. As a behaviour change programme, Vitality rewards members for steps taken towards their good health. Therefore, to earn rewards, we must start with the first basic step, which is health screening. Our aim has always been for members to know their health, improve their health and get rewarded for it.
Vitality Health status is a key indicator of your health. Prioritising the understanding of health and taking steps to improve it, are exceptionally important on the healthy journey. Vitality rewards aim to nudge members to improve their health, while the Integration benefits (through Discovery Life, Discovery Invest, and Group Risk) are still maximised by improving your Vitality status.
We're standardising the rewards structure across benefits by making the Vitality Health Check and the Vitality Age assessment the cornerstone to unlocking higher discounts. This enables members to maximise their rewards more quickly and easily than ever before. These benefits include HealthyFood, HealthyCare, HealthyBaby and more.
In 2024, all Vitality members will enjoy a flight discount of up to 25% on completion of a Vitality Health Check and the Vitality Age assessment. This discount can be boosted up to 75% with Discovery Bank. Each adult member will get their own discount depending on their engagement with the programme. Members with a qualifying Discovery Bank account save up to 75% on flights. Discounts are dependent on qualifying bank account, card colour, product, Vitality Money status and spend.
You can get up to 50% discount through the Vitality Money programme, and up to 25% discount through the Vitality Health programme.
To maximise your discounts through the Vitality Health programme:
Each adult member on a Vitality Health membership can do a Vitality Health Check and Vitality Age Assessment at a Discovery Store or within our pharmacy network to get 25% off flights. The discount is not dependent on the results of the assessments.
To maximise your discounts through the Vitality Money programme:
Discovery Bank clients with a Suite, Credit Card or Transaction account with bundled fees qualifies for additional flight discounts. The up to 50% discount from Vitality Money is dependent on a qualifying bank account, card colour, product, Vitality Money status and spend. Each rewards-qualifying account gives clients an additional discount on both local and international flights, with the maximum additional discounts are described below:
Maximum additional local flight discounts
based on Bank account type:
based on Bank account type:
| Gold | Platinum | Black | Purple | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suite & Transaction account with bundle fees | 25% | 35% | 50% | 50% |
| Credit Card | 15% | 25% | 35% | n/a |
| Maximum additional international flight discounts: | Gold | Platinum | Black | Purple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suite | 10% | 10% | 25% | 50% |
| Credit Card | 10% | 10% | 25% | n/a |
| Transaction account with bundle fees | 10% | 10% | 10% | n/a |
Clients with both Vitality Health and a qualifying Discovery Bank account can get up to 75% discount.
Even without a bank account that offers additional flight discount boosts, the 25% Vitality Travel flight discount remains incredibly rich and offers higher savings in 2024 given the recent increase in flight prices globally.
Remember that the no-monthly-fee Ðiscovery account allows you full access to Vitality Travel to enjoy all your Vitality Health discounts. Upgrading to a Discovery Bank Suite, Credit Card or Transaction account with bundled fees can give you additional flight discounts of up to 75%, access to airport lounges and the Discovery Fast Track, and more.
Qualifying Discovery Bank clients without Vitality Health will get up to 50% discount on flights with Vitality Money.
The flight discount from Vitality Money is dependent on a qualifying bank account, card colour, product, Vitality Money status and spend. With these qualifying accounts, the travel savings easily outweigh the costs. For example, a family of four on a 50% reward discount level on a Discovery Bank Gold suite could save over 10 times their bank fees if they travel once internationally and three times locally in a year.
Along with unmatchable savings, the Vitality Travel platform gives clients even more security, and a seamless end-to-end travel booking and payment experience. It provides a much broader offering, including discounts on all local airlines and selected international airlines, Lounge access, car hire and accommodation bookings. A Ðiscovery bank account gives clients access to the platform and bank-level security. In addition, members can use Discovery Miles to pay for their bookings, including for flights, accommodation and car hire, and flights and accommodation outside our travel partner network.
The Vitality Money travel discount is dependent on your Discovery Bank product, accumulated qualifying average monthly spend on your Discovery Bank account over the past 12 calendar months, and your Vitality Money status at the time of making your flight booking.
Boosted discount based on Discovery Bank product:
| Gold | Platinum | Black | Purple | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suite & Transaction account with bundle fees | 25% | 35% | 50% | 50% |
| Credit Card | 15% | 25% | 35% | n/a |
| Maximum additional international flight discounts: | Gold | Platinum | Black | Purple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suite | 10% | 10% | 25% | 50% |
| Credit Card | 10% | 10% | 25% | n/a |
| Transaction account with bundle fees | 10% | 10% | 10% | n/a |
Even without a bank account that offers additional boosts, the 25% Vitality Travel flight discount with no Rand cap remains incredibly rich and offers higher savings in 2024 given the increase in flight prices. For example, the average price for a flight to London has increased by more than 3 times since 2019. However, the 2024 25% Vitality Travel discount is worth DOUBLE the actual Rand discount of 35% in 2019.
And for those upgrading to accounts that give additional flight discounts, the travel savings easily outweigh the costs. For example, a family of four, where the parents get 50% discounts because of their Discovery Bank Gold Suite accounts and the kids get 25% discounts, could save over 10 times their bank fees if they travel once internationally and three times locally in a year.
No. The discount for children aged 18 years or younger is based on the maximum Vitality Health discount of the adults on the policy. Each adult on the policy must complete their Vitality Age assessment and Vitality Health Check to maximise their reward. So as long as at least one adult has completed their Vitality Age assessment and Vitality Health Check, all kids on the policy will receive the maximum flight discount.
However, doing an annual Kids Vitality Health Check to understand their health remains a valuable tool as children grow. The Kids Vitality Health Check also unlocks their Ster Kinekor free movie benefit.
The discount for children aged 18 years or younger is based on the maximum Vitality Health discount of the adults on the policy, which is 25%. Children currently do not receive Discovery Bank benefits, but even without a bank account that offers additional boosts, the 25% Vitality Travel flight discount on full fares, including taxes and with no Rand caps remains incredibly rich and offers higher savings in 2024 given the increase in flight prices.
Discounts will be applied immediately after the Vitality Health Check results are captured on our system by the healthcare provider. Should there be a delay, and for urgent travel bookings, you can request results to be expedited.
Book your Vitality Health Check at a store in our pharmacy network here or visit a Discovery Store. To do your Vitality Age assessment, register a profile on discovery.co.za or on the Discovery app (download from your app store) and complete the assessment.
Vitality status is a key indicator of health, prioritising understanding members' health and taking steps to improve their health. Therefore, Vitality status remains the most significant factor for Discovery's rich integration benefits through Discovery Life, Discovery Invest, and Group Risk.
And for those upgrading to accounts that give additional flight discounts, the travel savings easily outweigh the costs. For example, a family of four on a 50% reward discount level on a Discovery Bank Gold suite would save over 10 times their bank fees if they travel once internationally and three times locally in a year.
No. The discount for children aged 18 years or younger is based on the maximum Vitality Health discount of the adults on the policy. Each adult on the policy must complete their Vitality Age assessment and Vitality Health Check to maximise their reward. So as long as at least one adult has completed their Vitality Age assessment and Vitality Health Check, all kids on the policy will receive the maximum flight discount. However, doing an annual Kids Vitality Health Check to understand their health remains a valuable tool as children grow.
Discounts will be applied immediately after the Vitality Health Check results are captured on our system by the healthcare provider. Should there be a delay, and for urgent travel bookings, you can request results to be expedited.
Book your Vitality Health Check at a store in our pharmacy network here or visit a Discovery Store. To do your Vitality Age assessment, register a profile on discovery.co.za or on the Discovery app (download from your app store) and complete the assessment.
Booking travel for unaccompanied minors requires specific procedures that extend beyond standard online booking processes. Airlines have distinct policies and protocols for unaccompanied minors, which typically involve completing specific forms and providing detailed information about the child and the adults responsible for the airport drop-off and pick-up.
Vitality Travel facilitates flight bookings for its members. However, the actual travel is subject to the airlines' terms and conditions. Given the variation in airline rules and requirements and the complexity in the booking process; we advise members to contact airlines directly when booking flights for unaccompanied minors.
New bookings on Vitality Travel
All Vitality members get exclusive access to Vitality Travel, which is brought to you by Discovery Bank. You can choose from a range of Discovery Bank transaction accounts, credit card accounts or full banking suites to maximise your benefits and rewards. These give you up to 75% in discounts on a wider flight network, and discounted accommodation and car hire. Or you can activate your Ðiscovery Account - a fully digital banking account at zero monthly fees.
Not yet a Discovery Bank client? Here's how you can open an account:
Download the Discovery Bank app and browse the list of accounts available. While you qualify for your Ðiscovery Account, you are free to choose from the full range of Discovery Bank products, from transaction accounts and credit cards to full suite accounts that maximise your benefits and rewards. You can explore the Discovery Bank product range here: https://www.discovery.co.za/bank/accounts.
Currently, Vitality members without South African ID's are unable to access the Vitality Travel booking platform. Discovery Bank is working on an urgent solution, and will update members as soon as this is available.
Note: savings accounts don't qualify for access to the Vitality Travel benefit.
You can find and book local and international flights with Vitality Travel through the Discovery Bank app. Simply go to Transact > Travel. Then:
- Select your travel destination, dates and passengers
- Choose from flight options with your discounts automatically applied
- Select your flight and paywith your Discovery Bank or Discovery Miles.
To access the Vitality Travel online booking platform from your desktop, simply:
- Log in to Discovery Bank's online banking website at https://www.discovery.co.za/https://online.discovery.bank/ on your laptop or desktop using your Discovery login details.
- Then log in to your banking app and follow the steps to complete the in app authentication.
- Select Travel at the top of the page or scroll down to your Travel rewards section and tap on Book now.
Check out our Booking a trip on the Vitality Travel platform video for more.
If you have queries about your flight usage, please contact Vitality on 0860 88 99 77 and select option 2.
Alternatively, you can chat to a Vitality agent 24/7 through Ask Discovery on the website or Discovery app. Look out for the pink chat icon and tap to start chatting.
Or
Register for Ask Discovery on WhatsApp. If you have already registered, scan this QR code to start chatting:
For local flight bookings made on Vitality Travel:
The Vitality Travel discount applies to the base fare, including VAT and YQ or YR tax where applicable, of economy-class local flight bookings on Airlink, CemAir, FlySafair, LIFT and South African Airways. Airport taxes are not included in the travel discount.
For international flight bookings made on Vitality Travel:
The Vitality Travel discount applies to the base fare of international and regional flight bookings on British Airways, Emirates, Qantas, United Airlines, South African Airlines (excluding codeshare), Airlink, CemAir and FlySafair.
The discount applies to economy and premium economy class seats booked. For clients with a Discovery Bank Purple Suite account or Discovery Bank Purple Wealth account, the discount also applies to business class seats booked.
Airport taxes and ancillaries are not included in the travel discount.
Updates from 1 January 2025:
The local flight discount will apply to the lower base fare option, including VAT and YQ or YR tax, or the maximum spend limit of R7,500 per member per flight.
The international flight discount will apply to the lower price, whether that is the base fare or the member's spend limit in South African rands. The spend limit per member per booking is:
- Economy (R25,000)
- Premium economy (R25,000)
- Business class (R75,000)
Queries on existing flights and usage
You should log in to the Discovery Bank app to view your discounts. If you have queries about your flight discount percentage, please contact Discovery Bank on 0800 07 96 97.
You can now easily change your flight date for select airlines directly through Vitality Travel.
To change your flight date for an existing booking with:
LIFT, FlySafair, British Airways, Emirates, Airlink, South African Airways, Qantas or United Airlines
- Log in to www.discovery.co.za on your desktop or laptop.
- Go to Discovery Bank Online Banking.
- Navigate to the Vitality Travel platform.
- Select My bookings at the top of the page.
- Under Current trips, choose the flight you want to change.
- Click Modify, then select a new date and flight from the available options.
- Click Book flight to confirm and pay.
Note: A change fee and fare difference may apply.
If you need to change travel for some passengers on your booking and not all, please contact the airline directly for partial changes.
Rerouting
You can now easily reroute your flight for select airlines directly through Vitality Travel.
To reroute your flight for an existing booking with:
LIFT, FlySafair, British Airways, Emirates, Airlink, Qantas or United Airlines
Follow the same steps as above to access your booking, then:
- Select Modify and choose a new route from the available options.
- Confirm and pay to secure your updated itinerary.
If you need to change travel for some passengers on your booking and not all, please contact the airline directly for partial changes.
Cancellations
You can cancel your Vitality Travel flight booking online:
- Log in to Discovery Bank Online Banking.
- Go to Travel > My Bookings.
- Select the upcoming trip you want to cancel.
If your plans change, you can easily cancel your booking yourself and get a refund in your new Vitality Travel Wallet.
Visit discovery.co.za and log in to Online Banking. Select Travel to get started:
- Tap on My Bookings at the top of the webpage and go to Current Trips.
- Select the booking you want to cancel and tap the Cancel button next to it.
- Accept the terms and conditions and tap Cancel Booking to confirm.
Check My Travel Balance after 8 weeks and use your refund to book a new adventure!
Check-in typically opens 24-48 hours prior to departure, depending on the airline. The earlier you check in, the greater the selection of available seats. Most airlines offer a seat map during the online check-in process, allowing you to choose your preferred seat.
You can make your seat selection by managing your booking on the airline's website or by downloading the airline's app using your airline reference number.
Please note that some airlines may charge additional fees for certain seats, such as those with extra legroom or located near the front of the aircraft. Be prepared to pay these fees if you opt for these seats. If you have specific requirements, such as traveling with children or needing extra space, you can make these requests during the online check-in process.
For those traveling with infants, it is advisable to book bassinet seats in advance, as availability at the airport may be limited.
Seat selection is subject to availability. To enhance your chances of securing your preferred seat, it is advisable to arrive at the airport early. Check-in counters generally open 2-3 hours prior to the flight's departure. Proceed to the airline's check-in counter or kiosk, where the staff will assist you in selecting a seat.
Please note that seat availability may be more limited compared to online check-in, particularly if you arrive closer to the departure time. Inform the staff of any special seating requirements you may have, and they will endeavor to accommodate your requests. Similar to online check-in, certain seats may incur additional fees, so be prepared to pay if you opt for these seats. If you are traveling with an infant, it is recommended to book bassinet seats in advance, as the chances of securing these seats at the airport are slim.
New bookings
Vitality Travel is currently accessed on desktop, through the Discovery Bank online platform.
Currently, Vitality members without South African ID's are unable to access the Vitality Travel booking platform. Discovery Bank is working on an urgent solution, and will update members as soon as this is available.
If you have a South African ID and are struggling to activate a Discovery Bank account or access Vitality Travel, contact Discovery Bank on 0800 07 96 97.
With Vitality, which includes Vitality Money and Vitality Health, you can get discounts on local and international flights - on both the base fare and fuel surcharges (YQ tax) - as well as on accommodation and car hire. Your personalised discounts are based on your Discovery Bank product, Vitality Money status, Vitality Health status (if applicable) and qualifying credit card spend.
With Vitality Money and Vitality Health you can get from:
- 10% to 75% off local flights
- 10% to 75% off international flights
- 10% to 25% off accommodation
- 10% to 25% off car hire.
You can use your personalised Vitality discount on six one way (or three return) local flights per calendar year. Thereafter, you will receive a flat rate of 10% off for the rest of the calendar year on local flights you book.
From January 2023, regions outside South Africa's borders will now form part of your Vitality Travel international flight booking allocation. Qualifying clients can get Vitality Travel discounts on two international flight bookings a year - including flights to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Reunion, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Booking fees of R460 apply to each ticket booked, except for tickets for children under the age of two.
Read the terms and conditions for Vitality Travel benefits on the Vitality Rules page here.
For more information on how we calculate Vitality Money local and international flight rewards, please read or download the Understanding your Dynamic Discounts rewards percentages information that applies to your product colour.
For your travel benefits, we look at your average monthly qualifying credit card spend over the previous rolling 12 months at the time of booking. If you haven't had a Discovery Bank Credit Card for that long, we'll look at your average monthly qualifying credit card spend over the number of months you've already had your Discovery Bank credit card. A minimum period of three months applies.
If you upgraded to Discovery Bank from a Discovery Card that was first issued before the launch of Discovery Bank, we'll include your spend history before upgrading.
You can book discounted flights with the following local flight partners on the Vitality Travel booking platform:
- Airlink
- Cemair
- FlySafair
- LIFT
- South African Airways (SAA)
You can book discounted flights with the following international flight partners on the Vitality Travel booking platform:
- British Airways
- Emirates
- Qantas
- United Airlines
You can also book flights with a range of non-partner airlines through the Vitality Travel booking platform, however no travel discounts will apply.
Your Vitality Money and Vitality Health personalised discounts apply to six one way (or three return) local flights booked in a calendar year. You need to book at least 7 days in advance to receive your discount. You can book flights on the day of travel, but you will not receive your discount.
Once your flight allocation is depleted, or if you don't qualify for personalised discounts, you will receive a flat 10% discount on an unlimited number of local and regional flights. The flight discounts will apply to the base fare and fuel surcharge (YQ taxes) where applicable.
Disclaimer: Rewards are based on your engagement in Vitality programmes, Discovery products, and monthly qualifying card spend. Limits, terms and conditions apply.
For any Vitality Travel booking platform queries or issues, please contact:
- Vitality Travel: 087 742 0272
Email: vitalitytravel@travel.co.za
- After hours emergencies: 011 790 0322 (note that fees will apply to the member for this option).
You can view your personalised travel discounts in the Discovery Bank app. Simply log in to your banking app and scroll down to the Travel rewards tile for all your current travel discounts.
The six one way (or three return) local flights per calendar year depend on the personalised Vitality Health and Vitality Money discount. Thereafter, you will receive a flat rate of 10% off all flights booked on the Vitality Travel booking platform for the rest of the calendar year.
If you don't qualify for personalised travel discounts, or choose not to use your personalised travel discounts, you'll still qualify for a flat 10% saving when booking with local flight partners.
Platinum, Black and Purple Bank clients can await their flight in style in any of SAA's airport lounges - enter using your Discovery Bank app.
Platinum, Black and Purple Bank clients can await their flight in style in any of SAA's airport lounges - enter using your Discovery Bank app.
Black and Purple Bank clients have access to LoungeKey, with over 200 international lounge options to choose from https://www.loungekey.com/en/visasignaturemena/our-lounges.
Discovery Bank clients with Vitality Money can use Ðiscovery Miles to pay for flights and Vitality holiday accommodation on the Vitality Travel booking platform when booking online. Plus, book non-discounted stays at a wide variety of global listings on Vitality Travel through Booking.com and pay with Ðiscovery Miles too. Simply select Ðiscovery Miles as your payment method when checking out and enter the amount of available Ðiscovery Miles you'd like to spend.
The booking fee is an administration fee that you have to pay for Vitality to manage and facilitate the booking. It includes support for any issues experienced for booking on the platform.
The variable booking fee applies to local and regional flights booked on the Vitality platform. This varies based on the time between the booking date and the date of travel.
The flight booking fee is charged on each ticket (which can consist of multiple sectors) booked, where adults and children are charged separately. The fee does not apply to tickets for children younger than two years at the time of travel.
The demand for travel and the price of fuel has significantly increased the cost of processing travel. We are adjusting our booking fees for 2024 to in accordance with industry fees:
- Local flights:
- 21 days or more from travel date: R70
- 7 to 20 days from travel date: R130
- Less than 7 days from travel date: R160
International flights
All international flight bookings (including those that don't deduct usage): R460
Local and International Accommodation
Domestic: R99
Purple Escapes: Accommodation
Domestic and regional: R99
Change or cancel through the Vitality Travel online booking platform:
- Log in to Discovery Bank online banking
- Select Travel > My Bookings
- Click on any upcoming trip to change or cancel your booking.
Please note, where the flight is not refundable, you need to accept the 100% penalty fee upon cancellation along with the estimated airline cancellation fee.
You can also contact Vitality Travel:
- Vitality Travel: 087 742 0272
- Email:vitalitytravel@travel.co.za
- Call afterhours emergencies: 011 790 0322 (note that fees will apply to the member for this option).
Yes, you choose to get the refund paid into your card:
- Click on Wallet balance on home page meganav. This will show your last 10 transactions and the rand value available for your refund
- Select the Card for refund then Proceed to refund.
- You'll see the refund confirmation pop-up. It will take a day for you to receive it
Once you've requested your card refund and received the refund confirmation pop-up, it will take a day for you to receive it.
The Vitality Travel Wallet is only available on the Vitality Travel online booking platform as it's available for all travel bookings (flights, holiday accommodation and car hire).
All bookings paid for in Ðiscovery Miles that are refundable will be credited to your Travel Wallet.
Should the booking be partially or fully refundable, your usage will be reinstated once the refund process is completed.
Discovery Bank card activation for international use
Discovery Bank and Vitality Travel makes travelling effortless and convenient. Like did you know that your Discovery Bank cards are already preauthorised for international use, so you don't even have to call us and let us know you're travelling abroad. Here are some more useful tips and facts you should know before you depart for your travels.
- All your Discovery Bank cards are already preauthorised for international use, so there's no need to let us know when you travel abroad. You can use your card as usual and withdraw cash from most VISA ATMs worldwide.
- Discovery Bank Platinum, Black and Purple cardholders can access a world-class airport lounge experience in The Lounge, now available at all SAA lounges in Cape Town, King Shaka and OR Tambo International airports. Simply generate your voucher in the Discovery Bank app.
- Discovery Bank Black and Purple cardholders also have access to LoungeKey, with over 1,000 international lounge options to choose from. Download the LoungeKey app today.
- You automatically get free travel insurance when you book an international trip with your Discovery Bank card.
- In an emergency, you have access to our Discovery Bank international hotline, 24/7 on +27 11 324 4444.
- With Priority Fast Track, Discovery Bank Black and Purple cardholders can enjoy faster and more efficient security clearance at OR Tambo and Cape Town International airport domestic departures, and Purple cardholders can even speed through international passport control at OR Tambo International Arrivals. Simply show your qualifying Discovery Bank card.
- You can open a Discovery Bank Forex Account in seconds in your Discovery Bank app and start saving for your next international trip in British Pounds, Euros or US Dollars. Plus, add a virtual or physical card to use while you're overseas.
No, your Discovery Bank card is already pre authorised for international use so you don't have to activate it to work overseas. This applies to any additional cards linked to your account as well.
No, there is no need for you to let us know if you're travelling outside of South Africa. All Discovery Bank cards are pre authorised for international use and you don't need to do anything to use it abroad.
Other frequently asked question:
Earlier this year, we built the Vitality Travel platform within Discovery Bank, for even more security, and a much more seamless end-to-end travel booking and payment experience. It provides a much broader offering, including discounts on all local airlines.
Until recently, Vitality Travel has been available exclusively for Discovery Bank clients, because you need a secure Discovery Bank login and verification profile to access the platform. However, when Comair went into liquidation in June, Vitality members were no longer able to book discounted travel, so we had to quickly find another solution for our Vitality members to enjoy this benefit.
We created the Ðiscovery Account, which has no monthly fees, and gives Vitality members fully secure access and use of Vitality Travel to enjoy their Vitality discounts on their travel bookings. You get enhanced discounts with certain Discovery Bank accounts. Access the account options at https://www.discovery.co.za/bank/accounts.
To get local and regional flight discounts with Vitality Money, you must be a primary accountholder or secondary cardholder with any one of the following products:
- A Discovery Bank Transaction Account with pay as you transact fees
- A Discovery Bank Transaction Account with bundled fees
- A Discovery Bank Credit Card Account
- Discovery Bank Suite
- Ðiscovery Account.
Note: Vitality Health discounts and limits apply to the main member and all dependants listed in the Vitality Health membership. Vitality Money personalised discounts apply only to the primary accountholder, while secondary cardholders receive a flat 10% saving.
Vitality Travel, our comprehensive travel booking platform offers upfront discounts of up to 75% on all domestic airlines in South Africa: FlySafair, Airlink, LIFT, SAA, CemAir; as well as international airlines, Airlink, British Airways, CemAir, Emirates, FlySafair, Qantas, SAA and United Airlines. It also offers up to 25% off accommodation and car hire.
The Lounge
Accountholders with one of the following Discovery Bank products can access this benefit:
- Discovery Bank Gold Transaction Account with bundled fees
- Discovery Bank Gold Card Account
- Discovery Bank Gold Suite
- Discovery Bank Platinum Transaction Account with bundled fees
- Discovery Bank Platinum Card Account
- Discovery Bank Platinum Suite
- Discovery Bank Black Transaction Account with bundled fees
- Discovery Bank Black Card Account
- Discovery Bank Black Suite
- Discovery Bank Purple Suite.
Who can use this benefit?
As a primary accountholder, the benefit gives you a defined number of complimentary visits for domestic and international lounges, respectively. If you've used up this amount of complimentary visits or wish to enter the lounge but not use your complimentary visits, you can still access the lounges but at a cost of R300 a person inclusive of VAT, provided that you are still eligible for the benefit. This amount will be deducted from the selected Discovery Bank card.
The following individuals are also able to use the benefit, and we'll deduct visits for them from your annual allocation if available:
- Your Discovery Bank secondary cardholders who are 18 years or older. Please note that they do not have to be with the primary accountholder to use this benefit. Secondary cardholders can access The Lounge using your benefit but will share your number of complimentary visits per year and they need to generate vouchers to enter The Lounge using their own Discovery Bank app.
- All children younger than 18 years old visiting a lounge with you or with your Discovery Bank secondary cardholders 18 years or older.
- Guests who are 18 years or older visiting a lounge with you or with your Discovery Bank secondary cardholders who are 18 years or older.
- Any combination of the above.
Access to The Lounge under this benefit falls away if:
- You are not up to date on your Discovery Bank fees.
- The account is not in good standing as defined here.
- Your qualifying spend was less than R2,500 in the previous month. For clients with a Discovery Bank Transaction Account with bundled fees, this will be calculated using qualifying debit card spend. For clients with a Gold, Platinum or Black Credit Card Account, or Gold, Platinum, Black or Purple Suite, this will be calculated using qualifying credit card spend only. For clients who upgrade from a Ðiscovery Account or Transaction Account to a Credit Card Account, or Suite, this will be calculated using qualifying debit card spend up to when the upgrade takes effect. Thereafter, qualifying credit card spend will be used.
- Qualifying spend includes local and international straight and budget purchases made online and in-store using the qualifying Discovery Bank credit card, based on the date the transaction was made, however, only once the transaction has been banked by the merchants. It will also include any spend on secondary credit cards associated with your primary Discovery Bank account. Transactions that don't qualify towards qualifying spend are:
- Cash withdrawals
- Traveller's cheque purchases
- EFTs
- Debit orders
- Budget facility transfers
- Gambling transactions
- Health Banking transactions
- Discovery Pay transactions
- For clients with a Discovery Bank Suite, any transaction using a Discovery Bank Transaction Account or Discovery Bank debit card.
- You have downgraded or closed your qualifying Discovery Bank account.
- Vitality Money terms and conditions apply.
The benefit will be reinstated if the criteria that led to the cancellation of the benefit have been rectified.
The number of complimentary visits you get will depend on your Discovery Bank product and your engagement level
*Clients with an average monthly spend of at least R20,000 per month will receive the full allocation, otherwise clients will receive complimentary access for 2 local visits and 1 international visit. Children aged 12 years or younger can enter for free and will not count towards the complimentary visits.
Clients with a qualifying Discovery Bank Gold card can enter The Lounge at a fee per visit.
Discovery Bank Purple clients get unlimited access to the exclusive Platinum section of The Lounge.
Discovery Bank Priority Fast Track
Discovery Bank Priority Fast Track is an exclusive benefit offering a dedicated fast lane for airport security screening. With it, qualifying Discovery Bank clients and other qualifying travellers enjoy faster security clearance at OR Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport.
Discovery Bank primary accountholders and secondary cardholders with a Discovery Bank Purple card or Discovery Bank Black card can use Priority Fast Track.
At OR Tambo International Airport, Priority Fast Track is available at:
- Domestic departures security screening
- International arrivals passport control.
At Cape Town International Airport, Priority Fast Track is available at:
- Domestic departures security screening.
If you're not a qualifying Discovery Bank client, you can still use Priority Fast Track for domestic travel if you have a business class or priority ticket. For international travel, you can access Priority Fast Track if you have a first class, business class or priority ticket, and the benefit is also available to diplomats or holders of special passports.
Discovery Bank clients with a qualifying bank card, as well as priority passengers, may have a limited number of co-travellers or guests join them each time they use Priority Fast Track. The number of guests allowed depends on the card colour or ticket:
- Discovery Bank Purple card: Five guests
- Discovery Bank Black card: Three guests
- Priority passenger: One guest
If you're a qualifying Discovery Bank client:
For domestic departures at OR Tambo or Cape Town International Airports, simply check in as usual. Then proceed to the security screening area and follow the signage for the Discovery Bank Priority Fast Track lane. Present your physical or virtual Discovery Bank Black or Purple card along with your boarding pass to gain access.
For international arrivals at OR Tambo International Airport, simply proceed to passport control. Then, present your physical or virtual Discovery Bank Black or Purple card along with your boarding pass to gain access.
If you're a priority passenger:
You can use the Priority Fast Track queue by presenting your physical or electronic boarding pass.
Before you travel internationally
You need to make your international flight bookings six weeks before your departure date to get your individual Vitality Travel discount.
In 2021, we adjusted the booking period for Discovery Bank clients and Vitality members in response to COVID-19. Now that travel is recovering from the pandemic, we're bringing back our standard six-week rule for international flight bookings in 2023.
No, your Discovery Bank card is already pre authorised for international use so you don't have to activate it to work overseas.
No, there is no need for you to let us know if you're travelling outside of South Africa. All Discovery Bank cards are pre authorised for international use and you don't need to do anything to use it abroad.
You can get verified bank statements and an account confirmation letter in the Discovery Bank app.
From 1 April 2025, the Vitality Travel landing page has been updated to enable members to manage their personal information at any time, irrespective of whether they are booking an international/local flight.
Steps to update passport details:
- Log in to the Vitality Travel booking platform.
- Hover the cursor over your name at the top right of the landing page and select the traveller whose details you wish to update.
- Enter the relevant passport details and click on "Add".
- Click on "Update Traveler" to return to the landing page.
Now, members can even add and store multiple passports under their profiles; this feature is particularly advantageous for members with dual or multiple citizenships.
When making a booking, members will be able to select from a dropdown list of their stored passports, ensuring the correct passport information is used for each specific journey.
Banking while travelling internationally
You can easily get foreign currency for your trip. Open a forex account and convert funds instantly. This is a free service for Black and Purple account holders which allows you to pay in local currency. You can tap and pay or get a physical forex card. You can also top up your account while travelling and not pay a conversion fee.
Yes, you can withdraw local currency from Visa ATMs worldwide. The set Discovery Bank fee for international withdrawals is R80 for each withdrawal. The Discovery Bank Black and Purple Suites and Discovery Bank Black Transaction Account (bundled fee) offer unlimited free withdrawals worldwide.
Remember that certain international ATMs might charge an additional fee when you withdraw cash. Make sure that you check the ATM for this information before you use it.
The exchange rate at the time applies, and we charge you a standard currency conversion fee of 2.75%.
Check out the Banking fees guide for more information on fees for international withdrawals.
International point of sale swipes are free for all cardholders, but we charge you a standard currency conversion fee of 2.75%. Please note that there is a fee for international cash withdrawals.
Check out the Banking fees guide for more information on fees for international withdrawals.
Use the Contact Us button in your Discovery Bank app, available at all hours, every day.
Yes, you can access the Discovery Bank app while travelling abroad, as long as you have an active internet connection. This means that you can manage your banking no matter where you are in the world. Please review the list of countries where economic sanctions are imposed from a VISA perspective.
Yes, you can receive OTP notifications through SMS while travelling abroad as long as you have activated SMS roaming with your cellular provider.
Yes, accessing your Discovery Bank app while abroad will use the same amount of data as back home in South Africa. Make sure you have international roaming activated or connect to a trusted Wi Fi connection to access the app.
Note: Make sure that you are aware of roaming data costs since it can differ in countries.
Yes, clients with a Discovery Bank credit card can earn base Ðiscovery Miles in line with the normal base earn rate and monthly threshold on all qualifying transactions.
Transactions that do not qualify for earning base Ðiscovery Miles are:
- Cash withdrawals
- Electronic fund transfers (EFTs)
- Budget facility transfers (including the iPhone benefit)
- Gambling transactions
- Monthly Discovery Bank and Vitality Money fees
- Debit orders
- Transactions made with a Discovery Bank debit card
- Transactions on your transaction account, including your debit card spend.
Please note:
- We calculate your spend using the daily exchange rates.
- Your account needs to be in good standing at the time of the transaction to earn Discovery Miles.
Travel insurance with Discovery Bank cards
Discovery Bank clients qualify for free international travel insurance provided by Discovery Travel Insurance underwritten by Discovery Insure Ltd if you pay for:
- The full cost of your international travel ticket (flight or cruise) with your Discovery Bank credit, debit or virtual card, or a previous Discovery Card from before we launched the bank.
- Part or all of the ticket with your Ðiscovery Miles.
Please note:
- Your account must be in good standing, meaning:
- No arrears on your credit account
- No missed payments
- FICA (Financial Intelligence Centre Act) documents in order.
- Your international flight must leave South Africa.
- You are covered for 90 days or until you return to South Africa - whatever comes first.
- You don't qualify for free travel insurance if you pay for your ticket through an electronic funds transfer.
You'll get the full free travel insurance when you use your credit, debit or virtual card to pay for the full cost of the ticket, or when you use your Ðiscovery Miles to pay for the whole or part of the ticket.
If you've paid for an international travel ticket with your Discovery Bank credit, debit or virtual card, Discovery Travel Insurance will automatically email your travel certificate to you.
Contact Discovery Travel Insurance for your proof of cover if you've used your Ðiscovery Miles to pay the whole or part of the cost of an international travel ticket.
More about Discovery Travel Insurance
In case of a medical emergency, please contact Medical Services Organisation (MSO) on:
- 0860 87 82 33 (inside South Africa)
- +27 11 259 5025 (outside South Africa)
Medical Services Organisation (MSO) is available 24/7.
Discovery Travel Insurance will only cover you for up to R10,000 if you don't contact Medical Services Organisation (MSO) for authorisation to be admitted to a hospital.
For all other queries about your travel insurance cover, please use these contact details for Discovery Travel Insurance contact details for Discovery Insure Ltd:
- Service: 0860 87 82 33 (+27 11 292 8701) or travel.service@discovery.co.za
- Claims: 0860 87 82 33 (+27 11 292 8701) or travel.claims@discovery.co.za
You get cover on the travel insurance plan for:
- Emergency medical and related expenses
- Personal accidents
- Baggage and inconvenience
- Personal liability
- Hijacking, kidnapping and wrongful detention
- Trip cancellation, shortening, and postponement
...and more.
To see the complete schedule of benefits and the cover amounts that apply to Discovery Bank products, please go to discovery.co.za/bank/legal.
Discovery Travel Insurance doesn't provide international cover if you're travelling to a known war zone or a country actively participating in war. If you're unsure about cover while travelling, please call us on 0860 878 233. Please make sure to manage your plan and declare your destinations online.
If you're not covered by Discovery Health Medical Scheme, our travel insurance covers you for emergency medical and non-medical costs outside the borders of South Africa. This applies for 90 days from your date of departure from South Africa.
If you're a Discovery Health Medical Scheme member, the international travel benefit, it covers you for emergency medical costs outside the borders of South Africa. This applies for 90 days from your date of departure from South Africa.
The cover ends when you return to South Africa or 90 days after you left South Africa, whichever happens first.
More about Visa travel benefits
Clients with a Discovery Bank Black card qualify for the Visa Signature travel benefits and clients with a Discovery Bank Purple card qualify for the Visa Infinite travel insurance benefits for tickets bought before 1 May 2024. From 1 May, Discovery Bank Black and Purple cardholders qualify for travel insurance through Discovery Travel Insurance, underwritten by Discovery Insure Ltd.
The travel insurance will automatically apply when you buy a flight ticket or cruise ticket using your Discovery Bank credit, debit or virtual card. However, the trip must depart from and return to South Africa to qualify for the travel insurance.
To get the full details of your Visa travel insurance and benefits, get a copy of your policy documents and travel certificate by:
- Logging in to https://cardholderbenefitsonline.com
- Entering your Visa Signature (Black) or Infinite (Purple) card number.
Yes, along with travel benefits, clients with a Discovery Bank card qualify for additional Visa benefits. For more detail on these benefits, visit the Visa website.
If you bought your travel ticket before 1 May 2024 with your Black or Purple card and have a medical emergency, you can call Visa directly on:
- +44 (0) 208 762 8373 (English)
- +7 (495) 937 6453 (Russian, English)
- +971 (4) 253 6024 (Arabic, French, English)
- +27 (11) 541 1068 (Arabic, French, English).
For all other claims, you can email Visa at creditcardclaims@broadspire.eu.
Include the following information in your claims email:
- Your full name
- The first nine digits of your card
- Your address
- Details on what you're claiming for.
You will receive a claim form.This form must be returned within 90 days to creditcardclaims@broadspire.eu along with the relevant supporting documents.
Yes, along with the Discovery Travel Insurance benefits, clients with a Discovery Bank Gold or Platinum credit card also qualify for certain Visa benefits. To find out more about the benefits you qualify for, visit the Visa website.
More about the DragonPass programme
Discovery Bank Black (Visa Signature) and Purple (Visa Infinite) cardholders have access to over 1,200 luxury airport lounges with DragonPass, a digital platform for airport services like lounge access, dining discounts, and concierge services.
Download the Visa Airport Companion app on the App Store or on Google Play at no cost today. Register your Discovery Bank card and your name as it appears on your passport, and get ready to discover some of the finest airport lounges in the world.
Discovery Bank Black (Visa Signature) cardholders can enjoy six complimentary visits to over 1,200 of the world's finest airport lounges a year with DragonPass, with one free guest per visit. Once you've used all your complimentary visits, you'll pay $32 (R549) per person per visit charged to your Discovery Bank card.
Discovery Bank Purple (Visa Infinite) cardholders may enjoy an unlimited number of complimentary lounge visits with one free guest per visit. For any other accompanying guests, you'll pay $32 (R549) per person per visit charged to your Discovery Bank card.
Download the Visa Airport Companion app on the App Store or on Google Play at no cost today. Register your Discovery Bank card and your name as it appears on your passport, and get ready to discover some of the finest airport lounges in the world.
When you visit a participating lounge, simply log in to your Visa Airport Companion app and show the QR code in the digital membership section of the app to gain access.
Emirates Holidays Promotion FAQs
The Emirates Holidays Promotion is a collaborative campaign between Discovery Bank, Discovery Vitality, and Emirates Holidays, the travel agency of Emirates Airline. This promotion aims to drive bookings by offering discounted holiday packages to eligible Discovery Bank cardholders. Emirates Holidays provides a diverse range of holiday package options across various regions, including the Indian Ocean Islands, Europe, Asia, America, and Africa. All bookings made through Emirates Holidays qualify to earn Emirates Skywards Miles.
To book the Emirates Holidays Promotion, follow these steps:
- Ensure you are a Discovery Bank client with a valid and active Discovery Bank card at the time of booking and payment
- Use the designated promotional link provided. This link is essential as the discounts only apply to bookings made through it.
- Visit the Emirates Holidays website via the promotional link and select your desired holiday package. Emirates Holidays offers a diverse range of options across regions like the Indian Ocean Islands, Europe, Asia, America, and Africa.
- Pay for the full value of the booking exclusively with your Discovery Bank credit card. Bookings paid through other channels, including Vitality Travel, Emirates Holidays call center, and third-party travel agents, do not qualify for the promotion.
- Ensure your booking is made between April 14, 2025, and July 14, 2025 (both dates inclusive).
- Plan your travel to commence and be completed between May 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. Bookings for travel starting on or after April 1, 2026, do not qualify for the promotion.
Note: Payment through Discovery Miles is not permitted
For any queries regarding the Emirates Holidays Promotion, please contact Emirates Holidays. They will be able to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about the promotion, including booking requirements, eligibility criteria, and other related details.
Emirates Holidays Promotion Contact details:
- 010 0545060 to speak to a travel consultants or email to info@emiratesholidays.co.za
More about the United Airlines Club Lounge
You may enjoy complimentary access to specified United Club lounges when booking a United Airlines flight on Vitality Travel during the promotional period if you meet the criteria below:
- You are a South African, aged 18 years or older.
- You have a Discovery Bank Purple Wealth, Purple Suite or Black Suite account.
The promotion applies to United Airlines flight bookings both made on Vitality Travel and used any time from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025 only. You must book international flights at least six weeks in advance to qualify for the maximum Vitality Travel discount as well as United Club lounge access.
The promotion extends to an adult travel companion on the same flight booking if they are a member linked to your bank account or Vitality policy. In this case, both travellers' lounge passes will be stored under your MileagePlus profile and sent to your listed email address. If your child is younger than two years, they may accompany you into the lounge at no additional charge, with no need to present a lounge pass.
You will have the option to pay for additional guests to access the lounge at the point of entry at the standard United Club lounge rates. Access depends on availability, based on capacity and safety rules.
You and a qualifying adult travel companion, if applicable, will each receive one lounge pass per booking, which provides access to the lounge for up to four hours. If your trip has a layover in the United States of America exceeding four hours, you will each receive an additional lounge pass for your layover.
You will have access to United Club lounges at the following airports:
- New York (Newark Liberty International Airport, EWR)
- Washington (Dulles International Airport, IAD)
- Denver (Denver International Airport, DEN)
- Orlando (Orlando International Airport, MCO)
- Chicago (Chicago O'Hare International Airport, ORD)
- Las Vegas (Harry Reid International Airport, LAS)
- Los Angeles (Los Angeles International Airport, LAX)
- Houston (George Bush Intercontinental Airport, IAH)
- San Francisco (San Francisco International Airport, SFO)
All visitors must have an onward flight with United Airlines departing within 12 hours to gain entry to the lounge. United Polaris lounges are not included in the promotion.
Vitality product rules
For more information on Vitality Health and Vitality Money rewards, see the Vitality product rules page.
To access the benefit guides that have all the terms and conditions for Vitality Health benefits and rewards, go to the Vitality product rules page and select the tab for Vitality Health and Vitality Money or Vitality Health only based on the programmes you belong to.
To access the benefit guides that have all the terms and conditions for Vitality Health benefits and rewards, go to the Vitality product rules page and select the tab for Vitality Health and Vitality Money or Vitality Health only based on the programmes you belong to.