Non refund of Bookings

I booked return tickets from OR tambo to King Shaka international [Booking 4B58CD3] through discovery vitality app as early as January 2026. The travelling dates are in June. The sole intention of the flight was to travel for the comrades marathon that will be takin place on the 11th of June.

I, however, was unfortunate to have my femur bone (Thigh bone) broken on 5th March 2026 and underwent surgery subsequently. It became evident that I will not be running for the next 6 to 9 months as the bone needs to time to hell and as a result had to cancel my comrades entry and since the only reason I would travel to Durban would be to run comrades ,I had to cancel my flights.

The cancellation took place over the weekend of the 28th of March and since I was unable to speak to a consultant to explain the options available for me , I decided to cancel. There was an option to rebook ,however the online system only allows one to change dates instead of changing travelling destinations. As indicated earlier, I was travelling to Durban to participate in the comrades and since there were other costs implications (Accommodation etc) it did not make any financial sense to proceed with the trip.

On 1/04/2026 ,I called SAA to follow up on the refund and I was told that I had initially selected a flight that does not refund upon cancellation.

My main objection to non refund or change in travel destination is that: 1. Opting to keep the booking was going to be financially burdening on my end as I would have to book accommodation etc for a trip that is not beneficial to me 2. I have been in hospital for the past 3 weeks and are focusing on recovery, I was proactive in trying to minimise forfeiture of my funds as I was aware that I will not be going to Durban. 3. When I made a booking ,I did not anticipate that I was going to have a misfortune of breaking my femur and not participate in the comrades marathon 4. The cancellation of the trip is 3 months from the date of travel, showing that If I could have had the opportunity to engage a consultant if they were available I would have exercised and option that is favorable to me. 5. I am currently using a walking aid to move and have been informed by my surgeon that I will be using the aid for the next 6 to 9 months. I would rather spend my time recovering with my family than travel so that I do not forfeit my bookings as a result of my limited mobility.

Section 17 of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) No. 68 of 2008, grants me the right to cancel advance reservations. More so that I have done that in advance (months before departure date) and my medical circumstances