GAUTENG, JOHANNESBURG, 22 NOVEMBER 2018 - First Car Rental, a pioneer in advanced customer-centric technology that enhances the renter experience, reducing effort, saving time and increasing efficiency, has announced a preferred partnership with The Capital Hotels and Apartments, one of the largest providers of fully-serviced luxury apartments and hotel rooms in the country.

Announcing the partnership, Melissa Nortje, First Car Rental's Executive Head of Strategy, Development and Marketing, said, "This partnership is an unequivocal meeting of minds aligned to our business strategies, and a perfect fit within existing travel partners such as FlySafair, the most on-time airline in the world. I believe, together, we fulfil an efficient and affordable travel partnership, ideal for both the corporate and leisure sector, extending a first-class travel solution covering air and ground transportation as well as accommodation. The real deal."

Since its inception in 2008, The Capital Hotels and Apartments has achieved outstanding success in the corporate hotel industry. Nationally, they have multiple properties in key locations, including eight apartment hotels. The Capital Empire, The Capital On The Park, The Capital 20 West, and The Capital Moloko, in Sandton. The Capital Menlyn Maine in Pretoria, in Rosebank, The Capital On Bath, Cape Town The Capital Mirage and Umhlanga the The Capital Pearls.

The Capital Hotels and Apartments Managing Director, Marc Wachsberger, revealed he had already begun looking at countries in Southern Africa. "We aim to open two new properties every year, expanding to all the major cities across South Africa. We also have plans to expand into Southern Africa soon" he said.

This dynamic brand, of similar size to First Car Rental with close on 500 employees each, is anchored in challenging hotel norms and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit, which means quick decisions, no bureaucracy, and an agile entrepreneurial approach at every level, giving them the edge when opportunities arise. First Car Rental's management structure is very similar and allows them flexibility and fluidity at crucial times, which have left some competitors floundering.

A major challenge in the South African travel industry is cost management for guests. Corporates are tightening their belts and procurement managers are implementing stringent cost-cutting measures. Consumers are looking for real value for money and they are faced with overpriced offerings that often don't meet their travel needs.

Nadine Damen, The Capital Hotels and Apartments' Director of Marketing, says, "We give travellers everything they need, and nothing they don't. We offer value-added services that business travellers really appreciate such as complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, complimentary secure parking, and laundry services. Much like First Car Rental's corporate quick check-out facility called Show&Go, which guarantees fast, effortless car hire, we have eliminated the unnecessary and focus on the things that really matter without compromising the guest experience."

First Car Rental chooses to stay at The Capital Hotels & Apartments and look forward to extending preferred accommodation partnership deals to loyal renters in the near future.

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About The Capital Hotels and Apartments

Since its inception in 2008, The Capital Hotels and Apartments (The Capital) has achieved outstanding success in the corporate hotel industry.

The Capital is one of the largest providers of fully serviced luxury apartments and hotel rooms in the country.

* National operation with multiple properties in key locations, including eight apartment hotels in Sandton, Menlyn, Rosebank, Cape Town and Umhlanga

* Fastest growing group in South Africa, opening on average two new hotels each year

* The only hybrid operator in South Africa, with fully serviced luxury apartments (1 500+ rooms)

* Revolutionized the market by offering solutions for short, medium and long-term travellers (including families)

* Cost-effective frills-free accommodation tailored to modern business travel needs

* Owner-managed with a flat management structure, which means quick decisions, no bureaucracy, and an agile entrepreneurial approach at every level

* A disruptive and dynamic brand anchored in breaking hotel norms and fostering entrepreneurial spirit

* A proudly South African business (approx. 460+ employees), focused on identifying opportunities for growth to provide jobs in the future

For more information, visit www.thecapital.co.za

If you are renting a car this summer, don't forget to pack your patience, unless of course, you are hiring from First Car Rental, who this week, launched South Africa’s first ever Car Hire Self-Service at major branches across the country.

Our new self-service car hire, available at our major branches, is fast, efficient, convenient and paperless. Complete your renter profile at the branch, thereafter, it’s your new way of life! Book online, go straight to a self-service touchscreen, choose the car you want, sign on the screen and you are checked out, all in under 30 seconds.” 

Self-Service has been piloted at OR Tambo for the past 4 months with select methods of payment and is now ready for all market segments. Self-Service Car Hire gives the renter the independence to take control of their rental journey. The experience starts when booking a rental online, either at the office, home or on their smartphone.

At pick-up, the renter heads straight to the self-service touchscreen, selects their car of choice, signs on the screen, and the checkout is complete, all in under 30 seconds. The launch phase entails dual-view screens to allow agents to assist renters with their first self-service checkout.

We are data-driven and propelled forward by what our customers ultimately tell us they want. We really listen. Renters want independence, choice, convenience and efficiency with first-world technology – like the world they live in. We listened, conceptualised, and innovated.

Our Self-Service Car Hire is First-World. We know our customers and we trust them and are proud of this journey together.

www.firstcarrental.co.za