A good accommodation decision has two parts: choosing a stay that fits, and checking the request for payment. A professional-looking invoice is not enough on its own. Whether you are booking a short visit to Johannesburg, arranging a relocation or paying for a colleague’s assignment, take a moment to reconcile the details before authorising payment.
This is a practical checklist, not a guarantee against fraud or a substitute for your bank’s advice. It does not set Sandton Stay’s payment methods, deposit amounts or refund terms; those must be confirmed for the particular booking.
1. Start with the exact booking and operator
Keep the approved quote or reservation confirmation beside the payment request. Check the named residence, arrival and departure dates, guest count, currency, total amount and booking reference. If someone else is paying, make sure they have the final version rather than an earlier quote for different dates.
The Department of Tourism’s March 2024 travel advisory recommends checking an operator’s website, company registration information on the quotation, and booking terms. These are useful starting checks, not proof that a particular payment request is genuine.
For Sandton Stay, distinguish The Terrace Unit 125 from Unit 113 at Sandton Gate, The Monroe in Rosebank and The Madison in Hurlingham. Sandton Stay is operated and managed under Steps Bloodline (Pty) Ltd. That operator name does not, by itself, authenticate bank details supplied in a message.
2. Use a contact route you have independently checked
If a payment request is unexpected, contact the operator using details you previously verified or obtained independently. Do not rely only on the phone number, reply address or link inside the message you are trying to check. Ask the contact to identify the booking and explain the request.
SABRIC’s safety guidance explains that criminals can gain access to an email account and communicate as its owner. A familiar sender name or an existing conversation therefore should not be your only check.
If you booked through a booking platform, open the reservation through the app or website you normally use. Check its recorded payment instructions and use its official help channel to resolve a conflicting request. Avoid acting on an unexpected payment link simply because it includes the correct travel dates.
3. Reconcile the invoice before authorising it
Use this short comparison when you receive the final request. A mismatch may be an administrative error; pause and resolve it rather than assuming either that it is harmless or that it proves fraud.
| Check | Compare with | If something differs |
|---|---|---|
| Residence and dates | The final accepted quote or reservation | Ask which booking the invoice covers. |
| Amount and currency | The agreed total, fees and payment schedule | Request an itemised explanation before paying. |
| Operator and payment recipient | Independently confirmed operator and payee details | Ask for the relationship to be explained and verified. |
| Reference and deadline | The booking reference and agreed due date | Confirm where the payment will be allocated. |
| Changed instructions | The instructions already on record | Reconfirm through a trusted, separate contact route. |
For the commercial details to request in the first place, use our corporate accommodation checklist or short-stay booking guide. A complete quote and an authentic payment request are separate checks.
4. Treat changed bank details as a new verification step
Do not update a saved beneficiary solely because a new invoice or email instructs you to do so. Standard Bank’s business fraud guidance describes both changed-bank-details scams and convincing fake invoices. It recommends confirming changes using trusted contact details and checking invoices against your records.
For a company booking, send the discrepancy to the person responsible for supplier verification. An urgent arrival, a traveller waiting for confirmation or an internal approval deadline should not replace that check. Keep a record of who verified the instruction and when.
5. Separate travel approval from payment approval
“This apartment suits the assignment” is not the same decision as “this payment request has been verified.” The traveller may assess location and facilities, while a travel coordinator confirms dates and an accounts colleague checks the invoice. Make the handover explicit so each person knows what has and has not been checked.
- Keep the final quote, booking reference and confirmed payment instructions together.
- Follow your employer’s supplier-onboarding and payment-approval process.
- Record any approved changes to occupants, dates, amount or payment schedule.
- Check for a previous payment before approving a replacement invoice or reminder.
- Ask the operator to acknowledge payment allocation and confirm the booking status in writing.
This suggested handover is an organisational aid, not an accounting or tax rule. A screenshot of payment or an enquiry alone should not be treated as the accommodation provider’s confirmation that the stay is booked.
6. Protect credentials and pause if something feels wrong
Never give a banking password, PIN or one-time password to a person contacting you to confirm an accommodation payment. If you suspect that money or banking information has been compromised, contact your bank promptly through its official app, website or a number you independently trust. SABRIC’s guidance advises contacting the bank immediately when information may have been compromised.
Keep the original messages, quote, invoice, payment reference and relevant screenshots. Do not send a further payment just to “unlock” a refund or fix a discrepancy without independent verification. Follow the bank’s instructions; no recovery outcome can be promised.
Keep the stay details as clear as the payment details
For a new Sandton Stay enquiry, share dates, guest count, preferred residence and practical requirements. Ask for a property-specific response covering availability, the complete price, inclusions and booking terms. For existing reservations, keep the original booking reference and channel in the conversation so the team can identify the right stay.
External guidance checked on 22 September 2026: the Department of Tourism’s 27 March 2024 advisory, Standard Bank’s business fraud guidance and SABRIC’s safety guidance, linked above. These organisations are information sources, not endorsers of Sandton Stay. Consult your own bank about a suspicious payment.