Questions Answered

At this time of year we often get lots of questions about tickets.  If you have a question for us, before emailing us, please have a look at the "News" posts, on the DEB JHB website or at our FAQ on  https://johannesburg.dinerenblanc.com/faq 
You could also post your question on our Facebook page our previous guests are great at helping us out to answer your questions (thanks for that guys!). https://www.facebook.com/DinerEnBlanc.Johannesburg
 
Here are some answers to questions we have been getting lately:
 
1. How do I get tickets?
If you are not already a member of Diner en Blanc in JHB from attending as a member in previous years, go to https://johannesburg.dinerenblanc.com/register and put your name on the waiting list. This registration puts you on the invitation list for “Phase 3” (see more information on the Phases by clicking on "More Info" on the registration page.
 
Please don’t use your work email, or an email that is likely to change, as you will always be contacted via this email.
 
A few weeks before the event, you will be sent an email telling you when tickets will go on sale. You will be given a date and an exact time. It will then be first-come-first-served, and tickets may sell out fast!

2. What are the Phases?
Tickets are sold in three phases:
Phase 1 are attendees who were members last year (you will receive your email invite about 1 month before the event)
Phase 2 are new attendees “sponsored” by Phase 1 members – sponsoring just means that a phase 1 guest has requested that you receive an invitation to attend, it does not mean they have paid for you. (you will receive your email invite about 3 weeks before the event)
Phase 3 are new attendees on the waiting list (you will receive your email invite about 2-3 weeks before the event)
 
Each year you need to renew your membership to stay on Phase 1. See question 9, about how to stay on the Phase 1 list, if you cannot attend this year.

3. Am I guaranteed a ticket if I am on the waiting list?
You are not guaranteed a ticket, but if you are very keen we suggest you be online for the date and time the tickets go on sale, which will be in the email you receive a few days before your phase opens.
 
4. Can you tell me what my chances are on getting a ticket?
We are sorry, but we do not know what your chances will be if you are in Phase 3. It depends on how many people in Phase 1 choose to buy tickets. In Phase 1 you have the opportunity to be absent for a year. It also depends on how many people in Phase 1 choose to nominate someone to be a member in Phase 2. It also depends on the general demand in Phase 3. But we hope to see there!
 
The only thing we can tell you is, if you are very keen we suggest you be online for the date and time the tickets go on sale.
 
5. How do I bring a guest?
The person buying the ticket becomes the "member", and every member brings a guest. So every ticket sold at Diner en Blanc is sold in pairs, so you get to share your evening with someone significant in your life ... or why not try a blind date! That would be the best blind date ever!

6. Can my guest be the same gender as me?
Absolutely! You are prompted to select your gender as a member, and the gender of your guest (which is located in the guest column in the second page of the registration), but really it doesn't matter; it really isn't important at the JHB event. Some Diner en Blanc events respect the tradition of having all of the women sit on the side with the view, and the men opposite (because the woman is the beautiful view - how sweet!), but you can decide.

7. I have a large group and would like to reserve tickets, is this possible?
It is not possible to reserve tickets to the event, in groups or as individuals. The event does not favour anyone, everyone must register and then it is first-come-first-served for tickets.
We have lots of groups of friends that attend together but they are all responsible for booking their own tickets. Then they have to select the same bus in order to be seated together.
 
You will sit opposite your guest, so you will always have a friendly face opposite, but it’s a fantastic opportunity to meet new people seated around you for the dinner part of the event.
 
The only possible way to sit with friends is to make sure you select the same Transport Location and the same Table Leader. You are seated with the people in the same Bus/Table Group. It is however difficult to do this, as groups fill up quickly. That is why as soon as your Phase opens you should purchase your tickets & select your bus.
However if you do have friends, or a large group at the event, during the dancing/socialising part of the evening, you are encouraged to leave your seats, and this is a great opportunity to be with a group of friends.
 
All of our guests enjoy this format. It may be difficult to grasp before experiencing the event, but when you attend, you’ll understand why it is setup this way, and it’s great advantages.
 
8. I went with a friend last year, they were a member, and I was their guest. Can I be made a member and bring my own guest this year?
When your friend buys their tickets, they can nominate you to become a member. You will receive your invite in Phase 2, and then become a member, and be able to invite your own guest.
 
Make sure you discuss this with your friend before they buy their ticket. If they do not wish to do this, make sure you put your name on the registration waiting list, and you will be invited in Phase 3.

9. I was a member last year, but can't come this year, can I stay a member and be re-invited next year?
Yes you can list yourself as absent, pay the yearly membership fee and you will stay on the Phase 1 list for the next year. When you get your email invite, go to register at the time and date on the email (like you would if you were buying a ticket), but on the second page of registration tick the box at the top that says "Absent Member", then follow all of the instructions to the end. You can also sponsor someone as an absent member, so a friend can become a member.

10. As a member, can I bring a different guest?
You can change your guest at any time. You can bring a different guest each year, and you can change your guest at any time. To do this log in, go to My Page>Edit My Page. In the guest column double click on the information to edit it. It will turn green when it has saved.

11. I'm on Phase 1, but my email has changed. How can I change it, so that I get an email invite?
Use your old email address and password, go to Members Access, got to My Page>Edit My Profile . Double click on the email to change it, enter it in and the box should turn green.

The email invite won't go out to you immediately, we will need to resend it in a batch, but we will resend invites periodically up until the event is sold out.

That's all for now! Please be patient if you are asking a question via email, and consider checking if it hasn't already been answered elsewhere, or perhaps posting it on our Facebook page, so everyone can be benefitted seeing the answer. Some of our previous guests are great at helping out and providing answers. Thanks everyone!