Cutting the Cost of Flying

As airlines roll out fresh fuel surcharges and airfares climbing ahead of the Easter rush, Standard Bank is stepping in to cushion the blow. Discounts of up to 40% are offering timely relief to travellers navigating one of the busiest and most expensive holiday periods. In addition, customers who book domestic flights on Standard Bank Travel before 31 March 2026 stand a chance to win back up to R3 000 in instant money vouchers.

“Since launch, Standard Bank Travel has seen strong client adoption, attracting over a hundred thousand users and facilitating thousands of travel bookings. The platform has generated significant travel-related spend, while delivering millions of rand in value back to clients through exclusive discounts. The large number of repeat users shows that consumers are actively seeking ways to reduce their travel costs,” says Michelle Munemo, Head of Private Bank Client Value Propositions at Standard Bank SA.

Standard Bank Travel is achieving booking rates more than double typical industry benchmarks, according to data from conversion rate optimisation platform Unbounce.

To date, Standard Bank Travel has saved customers an average of R800 on domestic flights and R5000 on international flights. While 71% of all flights booked on the platform were domestic, more than 71% of the total spend went toward international travel, a trend reflecting both the affordability of local flights and sustained demand for travel abroad. The week of Black Friday 2025 recorded the highest number of bookings since the platform’s launch.

“The disparity between booking volumes and spend highlights the value customers are able to unlock when travelling locally,” says Munemo.

She notes that in the current environment, where uncertainty continues to shape international travel, more South Africans may look to explore destinations closer to home. But with rising fuel charges pushing up ticket prices, even domestic travel may feel out of reach for some families this Easter.

“That is why we remain committed to easing the burden through meaningful discounts and trusted travel solutions that help our customers get where they need to go, without placing additional strain on their budgets,” says Munemo.

A key feature of Standard Bank Travel is its flexibility: customers can book flights for anyone they choose, even if those passengers are not Standard Bank clients, provided the cardholder is travelling. The applicable discount is based on the cardholder’s qualifying rate, allowing friends and family travelling together to benefit from the same savings.

With Easter travel fast approaching, and travel costs rising, Standard Bank is ensuring that more South Africans can continue to visit family and friends without stretching their budgets too far. For Joburgers choosing to stay at home these Easter holidays, Standard Bank has created this City Guide to help you discover your city through fresh, tourist‑worthy eyes.