How Booking Works: What Happens When You Tap a Fare on VistaVoyage
Or jump straight to a popular route:
The short version
- VistaVoyage does not sell tickets or take payments. When you tap a fare or a search button, you go to Travelstart, a South African online travel agency selling flights since 1999.
- You pay the same price as going to Travelstart directly. We earn a small commission from Travelstart, never from you.
- Your ticket is issued on the airline's own system, with an airline booking reference you can check on the airline's website.
- Changes, refunds and payment questions are handled by Travelstart, under the airline's fare rules.
Step by step
You compare on VistaVoyage
Our fare tables show the cheapest fares we found on Travelstart's live search, with the date we checked, the airline and what bag is included. Prices move daily, so the fare you see on Travelstart may be higher or lower.
You tap a fare or "Search"
A new tab opens on travelstart.co.za with your route and date already filled in. The link passes through our affiliate partner's tracking (Impact) so Travelstart knows you came from us. Nothing about you is shared with us.
You choose a flight and pay on Travelstart
Travelstart shows the final total, including any fees and bags you add, before you pay. Its checkout is secure (look for https and the padlock). We never see your card details.
You get your ticket
Travelstart emails your confirmation and e-ticket. It should show an airline booking reference (usually six letters and numbers).
You check it with the airline
Enter that reference and your surname on the airline's "manage booking" page (FlySafair, Airlink, SAA, LIFT or CemAir). If the booking shows there, your ticket is real and you can check in online from 24 hours before departure.
Who you are dealing with
Travelstart Online Travel Operations (Pty) Ltd (registration 2004/016841/07), headquartered in Cape Town and part of TravelLab Group, has sold flights since 1999. On Hellopeter it rated 4.5 stars from 637 reviews over the last 12 months when we checked on 12 October 2026, and it typically replies to reviews within hours. On Trustpilot it scores much lower (2.1 from 80 reviews when we checked on 9 October), mostly over refunds and changes. We show both because both are true. Our full Travelstart review →
VistaVoyage is an independent comparison site run from Johannesburg by Kyle Govender. We are not owned by Travelstart or any airline. About us · How we check our facts · Corrections we have made
What it costs you
Nothing extra. The commission is paid by Travelstart out of its own margin and does not change the fare you see. The price you pay is set by the airline and Travelstart, and it is shown in full before you pay.
The extras that do change your total are your choices on the booking page: checked bags (FlySafair R185 online, LIFT R200 online), seat selection and any flexible-fare add-ons. Work out the total with bags →
If something goes wrong
- You need to change or cancel: contact Travelstart with your booking reference. The airline's fare rules decide what you can change and what you get back; the cheapest fares have the strictest rules.
- A refund is slow: put it in writing, keep the case number, and if it stalls, Travelstart answers public Hellopeter reviews quickly.
- You paid by credit card: your bank's dispute process is a backstop if a service is never delivered.
- The flight is cancelled or badly delayed: see your refund rights when a flight is cancelled.
Before you pay: a 30-second checklist
- The total on the payment page matches what you expect, with bags.
- The names match your ID or passport exactly.
- You have read the change and refund rules for the fare.
- You will get an airline booking reference you can check.
Questions about how VistaVoyage works? Contact us. We read every message.
Frequently asked questions
Do I book on VistaVoyage or Travelstart?
You book and pay on Travelstart. VistaVoyage compares fares and sends you to Travelstart's live search with your route and date filled in.
Do I pay more by booking through VistaVoyage?
No. You pay the same price as going to Travelstart directly. VistaVoyage earns a commission from Travelstart, not from you.
How do I know my ticket is real?
Your Travelstart confirmation shows an airline booking reference. Enter it with your surname on the airline's manage-booking page; if the booking appears, the ticket is issued.
Who handles changes and refunds?
Travelstart handles changes, cancellations and refunds for bookings made on its site, under the airline's fare rules.
Why is the price on Travelstart different from VistaVoyage?
Our fares are dated checks of Travelstart's live search. Airline prices change daily, so the live price can be higher or lower than the fare we recorded.