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| Travel Tips |
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Flights
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Upon receipt of your air ticket, take care to check that the dates, departure
times and destinations correspond with your intended itinerary. Always make
sure that you know what time to check-in and that the flights are still on
time.
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It is essential to reconfirm your onward and return flights at least 72 hours
before departure. Failure to do so entitles the airline to cancel your
reservations. Please check timings when reconfirming as flight schedules are
subject to alteration without notice. Please check that any Frequent Flyer
numbers, special meals and seating requests are in order. All times shown in
the itinerary are local.
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All domestic carriers offer 7 day advance-purchase discounted fares, which are
up to 60% cheaper than normal full economy. Tickets usually have to be issued
and paid for within 24 hours of reservation. Once the ticket has been issued it
cannot be downgraded to a cheaper fare. Strict regulations and cancellation
fees apply.
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A good idea is to leave a copy of your itinerary, passport, ticket and contact
numbers with relatives or friends prior to your departure.
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Please note that the check-in times for Domestic flights are 2 hours before
departure time and 4 hours for International flights.
Passports & Visas
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Ensure that you check the Visa & Passport requirements for the particular
country you intend to visit.
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Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after return to South Africa. The
passport must not be damaged and there should be clean pages for visas.
South African Duty Free Allowances
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400 Cigarettes
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50 Cigars
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250 g Cigarette / Pipe Tobacco
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2 litres Wine
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1 litre Spirituous/Other Alcoholic Beverages
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20 ml Perfume
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R 1250 of Gifts, souvenirs & other goods
Insurance
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Always ensure that you take out Travel & Medical Insurance prior to your
departure in order to cover you against medical problems as well as theft, loss
of passport, travellers' cheques etc.
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If your air ticket is issued on any credit card, you receive free insurance
cover. Such cover is not sufficient for international travel, due to the poor
Rand exchange rate and the high cost of medical care abroad. It is therefore
recommended that "top-up" insurance be taken through TIC (Travel Insurance
Consultants), which would also insure against cancellation of air tickets or
packages, where penalties can be heavy. Retain all boarding passes and tickets
until accrual of frequent flyer points have been confirmed on your statement.
Medical Information
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Check with your nearest Medical Travel Clinic what vaccinations are required
prior to entry into the country you are planning to visit.
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If you are visiting countries with known Malaria regions, take precautions such
as wearing protective clothing in the evenings, and buying a liberal supply of
insect repellent and anti-malaria tablets.
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If you have any medical condition, ensure that you notify the agent or airline.
If you use any prescription medication, take care that you take enough to cover
your journey and more.
International Driver's License
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Certain countries require an international driver's license. You must carry
your South African driver's license as well if you are a South African citizen.
Failure to produce this could result in inability to hire, or drive, a car
overseas.
Purchasing Baggage
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Always select good quality baggage for your travels. ....... Airlines are not
responsible for any damaged/ loss caused to your baggage before or during
flights so you may want to consider optional baggage cover with your travel
insurance.
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Whatever you pack your gear in, be sure to clearly tag your luggage on the
outside with your name, address and contact numbers. Also put a piece of paper
inside with the same information in case the tag gets ripped off.
Packing
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If you are traveling internationally you should always pack your own gear, then
either lock it or keep it close to you at all time.
Fragile Goods or Goods that leak
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The best way to avoid breakage is to try and take the fragile article onboard
with you in the cabin in your carry-on luggage bag and not amongst your other
luggage in the hold, but if this is not possible,
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Here are some handy tips to try and ensure the safety of the item:
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If you are carrying a C.D Player for example, try and put it in a plastic bag
and fill the plastic bags with your socks and other soft squishy items.
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You could also try and put the item in a cardboard box for protecting and then
fill the cardboard box with foam and packing polystyrene etc.
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If you are carrying goods that can leak, for example your Listerine mouthwash.
Try and wrap these items in clear sandwich bags and then you can also put then
in a shoe or boot for some sort of outside protection from the bottle being
pierced etc.
Trying to fit it all in
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Try and fill the areas as best as possible, look for every compartment and
around bigger items try and squish some socks and clean underwear in-between
and around items.
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You can even try and put your modem cords in your shoes to try and save place,
if you do not want the cords to smell of feet..plastic packs are your friend!
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Try and cheap a little by wearing your big and bulky jacket onto the plane with
you with your carry-on luggage. You can even put some of your items then that
you want to be easily accessible in your jacket pockets (tooth paste, tooth
brush, tissues, modem, earrings, a change of underwear, a comb or brush, socks,
nibblies and sucking throat lozenges)
Stay In touch while you jet around the World.
What is International Roaming?
As a Vodacom Contract Customer, you can use your cellphone and SIM card in over
160 countries on more than 327 networks.
How will International Roaming help you?
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Stay in touch wherever you are
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Enjoy the convenience of receiving calls and SMS's
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Forget about trying to work out foreign phone systems and codes
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Forget about paying exorbitant hotel prices
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Forget about carrying extra currency to pay for phone bills
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Receive faxes on voicemail and download them at your chosen destination (where
available)
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Make international Conference Calls (where available)
And best of all you keep your cellphone number so friends, family and
colleagues can stay in touch.
How do you activate it?
1. Well in advance of your departure for example 2 weeks, contact your Service
Provider or Vodacom Customer Care on 111
2. Your Service Provider will confirm if International Roaming is available in
the country you are visiting and whether your phone is compatible with their
network
3. A roaming deposit may be requested, that will be refunded once your account
has been settled. Procedure may vary between Service Providers
4. The relevant forms to enable your International Roaming service will be
faxed or e-mailed to you, complete and return them at your earliest convenience
5. Clear the International Call Barring on your cellphone by dialling
#331*1111#
6. Before you depart, dial 111 to check that your Roaming Service has been
activated.
What does International Roaming cost?
1. You will be charged for all outgoing and incoming calls. Tariffs for
incoming and outgoing calls will vary from network to network
2. Voicemail retrieved from your mailbox whilst roaming will be billed at
outgoing roaming call rates as determined by the network
3. Sending SMS' will be charged for at the rate determined by the foreign
network
4. The service for fax and data calls whilst roaming must be activated by your
service provider. All fax and data calls are charged according to the foreign
network's tariff
5. Per second billing does not apply
6. Inclusive (Bundled) minutes do not apply while roaming.
Hints and Tips
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Leave a message on your voicemail notifying callers that you will be away and
that they should call after your return date Limit your international roaming
costs further by sending and receiving SMS's only.
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Write down your PIN and PUK numbers Write down your voicemail password
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Take your charger and the correct adaptor
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Use your voicemail to avoid unnecessary calls by informing callers that you are
out of the country
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Set your diverts
What is International Conference Calling?
Depending on the availability of Conference Call on the foreign network,
Conference Calling allows you to connect with up to five other people (six
including yourself) at the same time. All participants can talk to the other
participants and hear each other clearly.
It is useful for conducting meetings telephonically or to communicate with a
group of people at the same time. The caller pays for all connected Conference
Calls at roaming call rates. A 32K SIM card is required in order for this
service to work.
To activate Conference Call dial 111 free from your Vodacom cellphone or 082111
charged at applicable call rates from any other phone.
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