If a Red Marker Destination does not accept BushBucks, where do I spend it?
As an Adenture Travel Club member, you have exclusive access to all the places where you can book and pay with Bushbucks.
How does this booking work different than the other booking sites?
The BushBucks Booking Platform allows you to book and pay using BushBucks. In all other cases you will pay in Rand and claim your rewards as a discount. We are the only Travel Club that pays you to stay at places where we don't get commission on bookings.
If I spend R5000 at a Red Marker Destination, where do I go to get a free stay?
Your Free Stays are automatically created when you reach a certain amount of Bushbucksâ„¢. You will receive a notification when you reach a qualifying amount, and you can then book your free stay and use your Bushbucksâ„¢ to pay for it.
What is the value of a Bushbuck?
Bushbucks are the most expensive loyalty point in South Africa. The value of 1 Bushbuck depends on your membership tier. The reason for the difference is in value is obviously the type of place you wish to visit. A Campsite is generally more affordable than a Game Reserve or Luxury Lodge.
To answer your question, the lowest value of a BushBuck is R10,00. (ZAR)
Why are there different Adventure Clubs in one place?
Because not everyone is interested in spending a vacation next to a river with powerboats racing up and down like Honda Civics on the N1. Some people like different places, things and activities. That is why each Club offers its own set of locations that offer those activities. Campers are largest group, while Adventurers are for the adrenaline junkies and the Wilderness Masters are those who love hot showers in winter after waiting 2 hours for the wood-fired donkey to melt the ice.
If I join as a Camper, can I use my Bushbucks for Bungee Jumping?
No. Only Adventurers can use Bushbucks for Adventure activities. As a Camper, you can only pay to sleep at a place that has a 3-Star Partner Rating.
How does the Star Rating work at What The Gravel?
Our Star Rating is simple.
Three stars are awarded to all places that offers the following:
- Gravel Road Access
- Booking per site (not per person)
- On-site Amenities.
Two more stars are awarded for:
- Onsite activities such as MTB Trails or 4X4 trails, and
- Onsite Food / Meals / Shop
Things like free wifi, electricity and mirrors or wellness centers are not for Adventure Travellers. That is for the sheeple. (It also limits juvenile noise pollution)
How does the Refer and Earn work in the App?
Refer and Earn is one of the many ways you can earn bonus Bushbucks without having to go to a Red Marker Location. You can earn bonus Bushbucks by simply referring 3 family members and friends to join your Adventure Club.
When will I know I am near a place that accepts BushBucks?
When you have location enabled on your smartphone and are within GSM Reception, the App will automatically send you a Push Notification of offers near your location.
Does my Bushbucks expire?
Unfortunately yes. Most of it will expire within 12 - 24 months depending on how you earned it. All unclaimed Bushbucks earned at Red Marker Locations expires within 12 months after earning it, but not all at the end of the year.
How do I claim BushBucks at Red Marker Destinations?
Because Red Marker locations don't have a QR Code displayed at reception, you simply need to send us a copy of your invoice received from the location and submit it to our Rewards Department for processing. It takes 20 days to reflect in your App.
What can I claim at Red Marker locations?
You can claim the full amount spent, without the VAT portion. Your Bushbucks will be allocated on the Net Amount of your bill.
Allocation is at the discretion of What The Gravel, taking into account the level of participation in your Club activities. If you are only 10% active, your allocation will be based on 10% of the value of your claim.
How long does it take to accumulate enough Bushbucks to get a free stay?
That depends entirely on you. If you spend R10 000 in one weekend at the right places, you could earn a free stay within 30 days.
Does free stays apply to peak season as well?
Yes, depending on the availability of the booked place. Most places have black-out periods during silly season and don't offer specials or discounts to anyone, not even travel agents.
Our view however is that silly season attracts the wrong crowds so it does not really matter.
What happens if I book and my Bushbucks are about to expire?
You need to ensure you make your booking at least 60 days prior to the expiry of your Bushbucks. Otherwise you may loose it. We do not guarantee availability of any location as there are too many factors affecting access to the sites, such as floods or civil commotion that falls outside our control.
If you have booked and cannot make it in due time because of ill-health, death in the family or other situation, you may apply for an extended validity period.
However, under no circumstances can Bushbucks be exchanged for cash; it's against the law. Bushbucks are not currency or legal tender. And it's not crypto either. It does not bear interest either. It is simply a closed loop rewards system based on points.