LP
Leo P
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2009
18 Oct 2022, 16:32
Big Man Discovery being the schoolyard Bully! AGAIN!!!!
Discovery's sole reason to FORCE you into their Bank product when wanting to book travel is because Comair liquidated. Yet, you have ZERO response when asked: "How does using your Bank benefit anyone when another airline goes under?" Then when you ask to speak to a manager you're FORCED to wait 48hrs because as per usual "no managers are available" - THIS IS ALWAYS THE CASE: WHY?
Travel was around long before your Bank. You are BULLYING clients and FORCING them into your Bank product when Vitality and Bank are separate entities.
I want an official response how clients have NO CHOICE when booking travel on one product by being FORCED into another. This is going to both Ombud's as Vitality and Bank are separate Ombuds!
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Replies (3)0
Replies (3)
Discovery Bank's replyOfficial
19 Oct 2022, 06:38Hi Leo
Thanks for reaching out to us
In March this year, we built the Vitality Travel platform – with a much broader offering including discounts on all local airlines – within Discovery Bank, for even more security, and a much more seamless end-to-end travel booking and payment experience. At this point in time, Vitality Travel was available exclusively to Discovery Bank clients, because you need a secure bank login and verification profile to access the Vitality Travel platform.
Thanks for reaching out to us
In March this year, we built the Vitality Travel platform – with a much broader offering including discounts on all local airlines – within Discovery Bank, for even more security, and a much more seamless end-to-end travel booking and payment experience. At this point in time, Vitality Travel was available exclusively to Discovery Bank clients, because you need a secure bank login and verification profile to access the Vitality Travel platform.
At the same point in time, Vitality members were still able to book their discounted Kulula and British Airways flights through kulula.com.
When Comair went into liquidation in June, Vitality members lost their travel benefit – they were no longer able to book discounted travel. The sudden ending of the ‘kulula.com’ benefit was out of our control, so we were obviously unable to communicate it to you in advance as we normally do for a benefit change. We communicated with all our members immediately, and promised that we will quickly find another solution for our Vitality members to enjoy a travel benefit. We created the Discovery Account, which has no monthly fees, and gives you fully secure access and use of Vitality Travel to enjoy your Vitality discounts on their travel bookings. We communicated this new Vitality Travel benefit after we took it live on 20 June. We did this via email, on our website, social media, and through financial advisers.
For clarity, there was no impact on Vitality points or Vitality status, and hence no direct impact on, for example, the shared value model through integration benefits with for example Discovery Life.
Signing up for the Discovery account is quick and easy: clients can join in under five minutes. Members use their free virtual debit card to pay for Vitality Travel at no transaction cost; they do not need a credit card to access the benefit.
This zero-monthly-fee Discovery account solution for you was done with good intent in very unfortunate circumstances so that you can securely log into Vitality Travel now that kulula.com bookings are no longer possible. Thus far, we have had thousands of Vitality members benefit from Vitality Travel bookings without having to take up a fee-paying Discovery Bank account. In a direct competitor comparison Vitality Travel has been proven to be superior to other bank-linked travel platforms, being the only one that offers an upfront discount % across all local airlines all the time. Transferring money into a Discovery account is quick and easy, and you can always enable an instant payment if you feel the need to.
Regards
Girshwin
Regards
Girshwin
Discovery Bank's reply19 Oct 2022, 06:38
Official
Hi Leo
Thanks for reaching out to us
In March this year, we built the Vitality Travel platform – with a much broader offering including discounts on all local airlines – within Discovery Bank, for even more security, and a much more seamless end-to-end travel booking and payment experience. At this point in time, Vitality Travel was available exclusively to Discovery Bank clients, because you need a secure bank login and verification profile to access the Vitality Travel platform.
Thanks for reaching out to us
In March this year, we built the Vitality Travel platform – with a much broader offering including discounts on all local airlines – within Discovery Bank, for even more security, and a much more seamless end-to-end travel booking and payment experience. At this point in time, Vitality Travel was available exclusively to Discovery Bank clients, because you need a secure bank login and verification profile to access the Vitality Travel platform.
At the same point in time, Vitality members were still able to book their discounted Kulula and British Airways flights through kulula.com.
When Comair went into liquidation in June, Vitality members lost their travel benefit – they were no longer able to book discounted travel. The sudden ending of the ‘kulula.com’ benefit was out of our control, so we were obviously unable to communicate it to you in advance as we normally do for a benefit change. We communicated with all our members immediately, and promised that we will quickly find another solution for our Vitality members to enjoy a travel benefit. We created the Discovery Account, which has no monthly fees, and gives you fully secure access and use of Vitality Travel to enjoy your Vitality discounts on their travel bookings. We communicated this new Vitality Travel benefit after we took it live on 20 June. We did this via email, on our website, social media, and through financial advisers.
For clarity, there was no impact on Vitality points or Vitality status, and hence no direct impact on, for example, the shared value model through integration benefits with for example Discovery Life.
Signing up for the Discovery account is quick and easy: clients can join in under five minutes. Members use their free virtual debit card to pay for Vitality Travel at no transaction cost; they do not need a credit card to access the benefit.
This zero-monthly-fee Discovery account solution for you was done with good intent in very unfortunate circumstances so that you can securely log into Vitality Travel now that kulula.com bookings are no longer possible. Thus far, we have had thousands of Vitality members benefit from Vitality Travel bookings without having to take up a fee-paying Discovery Bank account. In a direct competitor comparison Vitality Travel has been proven to be superior to other bank-linked travel platforms, being the only one that offers an upfront discount % across all local airlines all the time. Transferring money into a Discovery account is quick and easy, and you can always enable an instant payment if you feel the need to.
Regards
Girshwin
Regards
Girshwin
LP
Leo P's updateReviewer Update
19 Oct 2022, 10:31Vitality Travel was around before your Bank product therefore it was not exclusive - I got the exact same reply from your agent. The impact is clients need to put their money in your Bank product to use a a different product they are already paying a premium for. So you collect premium for Vitality and then expect people to move their money into your Bank. This is going to the Ombuds as I have given Discovery ample chance to give a proper response which you have failed. There is ZERO benefit from FORCING us to your Bank should another airline go under which is the sole reason you're giving. You are simply greedy and bullying your clients - AS ALWAYS!
LP
Leo P's update19 Oct 2022, 10:31
Reviewer Update
Vitality Travel was around before your Bank product therefore it was not exclusive - I got the exact same reply from your agent. The impact is clients need to put their money in your Bank product to use a a different product they are already paying a premium for. So you collect premium for Vitality and then expect people to move their money into your Bank. This is going to the Ombuds as I have given Discovery ample chance to give a proper response which you have failed. There is ZERO benefit from FORCING us to your Bank should another airline go under which is the sole reason you're giving. You are simply greedy and bullying your clients - AS ALWAYS!
Discovery Bank's replyOfficial
19 Oct 2022, 12:07Hi Leo
As confirmed, the travel benefit with Vitality lapsed when Comair was liquidated. At that stage, Discovery Bank had its own travel benefit which we have decided to make available to Vitality members as well by simply adding a free account.
The existing Vitality benefits are changed such as health rewards.
If you are unhappy with this feedback, please feel free to open a case with the ombudsman.
Regards
Girshwin
As confirmed, the travel benefit with Vitality lapsed when Comair was liquidated. At that stage, Discovery Bank had its own travel benefit which we have decided to make available to Vitality members as well by simply adding a free account.
The existing Vitality benefits are changed such as health rewards.
If you are unhappy with this feedback, please feel free to open a case with the ombudsman.
Regards
Girshwin
Discovery Bank's reply19 Oct 2022, 12:07
Official
Hi Leo
As confirmed, the travel benefit with Vitality lapsed when Comair was liquidated. At that stage, Discovery Bank had its own travel benefit which we have decided to make available to Vitality members as well by simply adding a free account.
The existing Vitality benefits are changed such as health rewards.
If you are unhappy with this feedback, please feel free to open a case with the ombudsman.
Regards
Girshwin
As confirmed, the travel benefit with Vitality lapsed when Comair was liquidated. At that stage, Discovery Bank had its own travel benefit which we have decided to make available to Vitality members as well by simply adding a free account.
The existing Vitality benefits are changed such as health rewards.
If you are unhappy with this feedback, please feel free to open a case with the ombudsman.
Regards
Girshwin