Departure Day

Before leaving the Office

  • Activate the “out of office” message on your computer/laptop.
  • Apply for leave on the Employee Portal > Leave > Apply for leave.
  • Select: Recognition - Top Achiever category.
  • Under the comments field state: “Top Achiever Trip” together with the dates for your group (inclusive of departure and arrival dates).
  • This is special leave which is not deducted from your annual leave.
  • Arrange for someone to take you to the airport and to fetch you or use Uber. This is for your own account.
  • Leave your store cards: i.e., Woolworths, Edgars, Foschini, etc. at home as you will not be able to use them on the trip.

Medicine and jewellery

Keep your chronic medicine in your hand luggage. Please don’t put any jewellery (even costume jewellery) or anything else that is of value (e.g., cameras, laptops) in your check-in bags. All the bags get scanned and if you have any of these in your bag you might tempt others to help themselves to your belongings. It is important to keep medication in your hand luggage as it is not easy to get prescription medication in a foreign country. Please obtain a letter from a doctor if you are diabetic to ensure that you are allowed to take your medication onto the aircraft as part of your hand luggage. 

Check-in time

For international flights, it is advisable to check in at least three hours before your flight departure time.

Delegates will fly from the Johannesburg / Cape Town International Airports for the international flight to Dubrovnik via Istanbul / Frankfurt.

Flights to Johannesburg. If you have domestic add-on flight, you must collect your luggage at OR Tambo airport and check in again for your international flight.

Finding the right terminal

As you enter the terminal, there is a big screen in front of you displaying all the departures for the evening. You will be flying with Turkish / Lufthansa Airlines. Look for flights to "Istanbul" / "Frankfurt" and adjacent to the flight details and destinations you will see the relevant check-in counter numbers.

Queuing procedure

You might be approached by airline officials or airport security staff who will ask where you are traveling to. They might ask to see your passport and your Schengen visa. Please present them with your passport when requested to do so.

Checking-in

  • If you miss your flight, you'll need to arrange and cover the costs to join the Nedbank group.
  • Arrive at O R Tambo / Cape Town International Airports at least three hours before your departure time.
  • Make sure not to miss connecting flights, as it's challenging to get onto other international flights.
  • Flights to Johannesburg, if you have a domestic add-on flight, you must collect your luggage at OR Tambo airport and check in again for your domestic flight.
  • Present your passport at check-in; travel insurance may be requested.
  • No need to present a copy of your air ticket; your details will be on the system. You'll need to weigh your bag at check-in.
  • Check in your luggage; you are allowed 2 pieces at 23kg each on Turkish Airlines in economy class, and 1 bag of 20kg on regional flights.
  • Check in your luggage: you are allowed 1 piece at 23 kg each on Lufthansa Airlines in economy class, and 1 bag of 20kg on regional flights.
  • You can also bring 1 hand luggage not exceeding 7kg.
  • Airlines strictly enforce weight limits, so don't exceed them to avoid extra fees.
  • You'll receive 2 boarding passes per person at check-in; keep the luggage tags attached to your boarding pass.
  • Before printing your boarding pass, check if you're seated next to your partner. If not, inform the Nedbank Travel Team immediately.
  • A team member will be at the check-in counters to assist with any difficulties.
  • You'll receive 2 boarding passes for your flights with details of your flight, boarding gate, and seat number.
  • Note the boarding gate and time on your boarding passes and allow enough time for security and passport control.
  • Keep your passport and boarding pass easily accessible until you're seated on the aircraft.
  • Declare any electronic equipment at the Customs desk in the international departure hall to avoid taxes on your return to South Africa.

Proceed through Security

Queue lines can seem long but usually move steadily. Wait until you reach the official who will scan your boarding pass.
At the conveyor belt, place all metal objects in the provided bin. Remove jackets or coats and place them in a bin before placing them on the conveyor belt.
Put your laptop and tablet in a separate box. Wait for the official's approval before proceeding through the metal detectors. If the detector alarms, security will conduct a quick manual scan or body search.
"Less is more" when flying; avoid wearing excessive jewellery to ease the security check.
Do not make jokes about bombs or guns in your hand luggage; such comments can lead to immediate arrest. Speak only when necessary.
Security will confiscate any liquids, aerosols, or gels exceeding 100 ml per item. Be mindful when buying duty-free items.
After clearing security, ensure you haven't left anything behind in the bins and proceed to immigration.

Departure Day

Proceed through Immigration

  • Queue up and proceed patiently to the immigration counters. An official will direct you to an available counter. Despite their intimidating demeanour, remain relaxed and answer any questions they may have.
  • Present your passport and boarding pass to the official, who will scan your passport and stamp it.
  • Monitor the overhead monitors for your flight's boarding gate number, as it may change. Proceed to the boarding gate in a timely manner.
Departure Day

The boarding gate

  • Have your passport and boarding pass ready.
  • A second official will scan your boarding pass and then you are ready to board!
  • Be on time at the departure gate (please keep an eye on the overhead screens as departure gate numbers may change).
  • Present your passport and boarding pass for boarding.
Departure Day

Punctuality 

  • Being on time is a sign of respect. You are on a well-deserved holiday, but so are your colleagues. We therefore urge you to adhere to the times stipulated in the programme and not to keep your fellow travellers waiting. If for any reason you cannot join a specific programme item, please inform one of the travel team ahead of time.
  • For early morning starts, if you are nervous about oversleeping, you can always phone reception and arrange a wake-up call.
  • Please note that we unfortunately cannot delay departures for the group if you are late. Should you arrive late, you will need to make your own way to meet up with the group.

Excursions

All excursions have been pre-booked and paid for, as per your selection when registering. This process ensures that our guides and hosting venues can fully prepare for each group in advance. However, this also means that it is not possible to make changes or to cancel your chosen excursion. Should you do so, please be aware that you may be charged for the cost of the excursion on your return home. We appreciate your understanding in this regard. In a case of emergency or other extenuating circumstances, please speak to the Travel Team representatives for assistance.

Follow the tour guide 

• Sometimes an excursion includes walking through city streets. There are many wonderful shops and attractions you may be tempted to explore on your own. Please save this for your free time to avoid getting lost and causing disruption to the group. If you do get lost, please contact one of the travel team immediately so they can notify the tour guide.
• A golden rule is to look out for the tour guide and not expect the tour guide to look out for you.

An important note on dietary requirements 

• It is important to note that any pre-specified dietary requirements, e.g., “no red meat”, will be communicated to the venues well in advance. It will not be possible to change any meal on the day should you, for example, decide that the fish meal (allocated to Halaal guests) looks more appetising than your chicken meal. Individual impulses unfortunately cannot be accommodated in large group travel scenarios.