Standard Bank: horrible application experience

After applying for a credit card at a branch they informed me that they required documents not listed on the website and that it would be easier and faster to apply online (4 Jan 2020).

The application is so that I can purchase plane tickets that require a credit card to do so, my wife and I already have the money saved up for a holiday in September.

I attempted to apply online where the system asks you to log in, however after logging in my profile does not have an option to apply for a credit card. So I call in, all goes well but I get 'referred' I find out later it is for Telkom whom I haven't had an account with for over a year and that owed me money according to their last communication with me. This issue becomes 'resolved' with standard bank and I get a call this Monday (20 Jan 2020) to confirm details and book which branch I will collect at.

However Tuesday I receive a call that they require the same documents that the branch did in order to complete the application, I receive a mail with requested documents which I reply to before the close of business on the same day.

Today the cost of the tickets go up R1'000.00 and I call in just to confirm that everything is no underway and to confirm when the card would be ready. After holding for 25 minutes the only feedback available is that the consultant cannot find anything on my profile and will refer it.

Please standard bank, instead of wasting peoples time rather decline them so we can move on your incompetence is costing hard working South African citizens a lot of money.