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TIP OF THE WEEK
WHAT’S THE POINT
Possibly you’ve got observed that Qantas reward factors are simpler to get nowadays and also you solely want to have a look at bank card purposes, medical health insurance and rather more. Why? As a result of they’re much less rewarding than they was. It’s now inconceivable to fly enterprise class from Melbourne to Europe utilizing factors. Invariably, the longest leg will likely be in economic system and the routes are removed from direct. The heavy promotion of frequent flyer factors is a sham as a result of the worth is now not there.
Alan Thomas, Hawthorn, VIC
LETTER OF THE WEEK
TAKE COVER
I simply had a few weeks in South Korea. If it is received a roof there, you put on a masks and 95 per cent accomplish that within the streets. How embarrassing, then to see the efficiency lately of a egocentric, middle-aged group of three in holding up a flight in Sydney as a result of they wished to be exempt. They received their method, even after fellow passengers have been telling them to place a masks on. It was my luck to be sitting behind all of them the best way to Singapore. Empty vessels take advantage of noise typically.
Philip Dowle, Willina, NSW
MARVELLOUS MELBURNIANS
On a brief journey to Melbourne, I realised after getting off a tram that I had left my backpack containing my iPad on a seat. I boarded the following tram getting into the identical path and informed the driving force who radioed an outline to the bottom. A name went out to all drivers and inside 5 minutes I used to be informed the bag had been handed in by a passenger. The driving force who had made the report informed me to attend for that tram to come back again in the wrong way. He additionally gave me the route quantity and car quantity to look out for. All of it went precisely as he mentioned and inside 10 minutes my backpack was returned to me. A giant thanks to Melbourne tram drivers and sincere passengers.
Stephanie Lee, Willoughby, NSW
SEVERE TURBULENCE
Within the Might 21 version of Traveller Letters, three of the letters concerned justifiable criticism of Qantas and, specifically, the letter of the week in regards to the failure to uplift any passengers’ baggage on a flight to London was horrendous. I’m a proud former floor employees worker of Qantas for nearly 30 years and studying of failures in customer support, many pre-COVID, in the previous few years saddens me drastically, as a result of they’re coming from not simply the general public basically however from all components of the journey trade, too. I sincerely hope Qantas administration will take these criticisms on board and restore this high quality airline to the true “Spirit of Australia” the place it as soon as belonged.
Richard Davies, Hawthorn East, VIC
FLIGHT CREDIT
A few of your correspondents have lately complained about Qantas service. Here is a constructive story: a number of weeks in the past we have been at Perth Airport ready to return to Melbourne. The flight on the subsequent gate was not boarding on time, and we realised {that a} household of three on that flight was experiencing issue with the behaviour of their two boys. As frustrations grew, one of many kids bodily attacked one of many Qantas floor employees, who always remained calm and in management. I used to be very impressed by the skilled method through which the bottom employees dealt with this extraordinarily distressing scenario.
Jenny Abraham, Vermont South, VIC
PAD UP
I loved Lee Tulloch’s keep it up column (Traveller, Might 14). One keep it up tip is to take two or three padded envelopes which lets you publish gadgets again to your self. We by no means had an issue receiving Turkish cushion covers, pashmina, new (or previous) garments again in Sydney. Shopping for padded envelopes is commonly too difficult abroad however utilizing a publish workplace is all the time one other attention-grabbing cultural expertise. Over years of significant or enjoyable journey I used colour-coded garments. It could actually turn out to be boring however it makes you admire coming dwelling.
Diana Blom, Turramurra, NSW
STOW TIME
Your columnist Lee Tulloch wrote (reluctantly) that there was no excuse for utilizing checked baggage. I urge to vary. Individuals who take plenty of carry-on baggage into the cabin take area away from others and usually tend to block up the aisles stowing, accessing and un-stowing their baggage. A few of them really anticipate the flight crew to raise their large packs into the bags bins for them. Carry-on baggage needs to be restricted to gadgets that you actually need on the flight itself or are in any other case unable to be checked in.
Andrew Newman-Martin, Coombs, ACT
A TIME TO HEAL
I used to be each puzzled and brought aback by Glen op den Brou’s letter (Traveller Letters, May 21) accusing Europe travellers of ignoring the battle within the Ukraine by way of their journey to Europe. I fail to recognise how not going to Europe would encourage Putin to chop quick his “particular operation”. He most definitely would love us to boycott Europe. Glen’s place additionally fails to recognise the emotional toll inflicted by the COVID journey ban on many Europeans who made Australia their dwelling and must heal within the firm of their household in Europe. I misplaced my Dad to COVID firstly of the pandemic and lately flew again to Holland for the primary time in two and a half years; each to pay my respects to my late father and to assist have fun my mom’s ninetieth birthday. Whereas I’m sickened to the core of my being by the disgraceful battle being waged on a sovereign nation by a despot who’s on the best way out, I don’t see how I’m dishonouring the individuals of the Ukraine by travelling – like many hundreds of my compatriots with roots within the previous world – to my former homeland
Hans van den Tillaart, Mount Colah, NSW
BIRTH PLACE
Your One & solely information to Corfu Greece’ (Traveller, Might 21) missed a captivating historic constructing. Go to Mon Repos, the birthplace of the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, only a quick stroll from Corfu Metropolis in a scenic cliff prime location.
Mary Hoffmann, Richmond VIC
EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks for the tip although you will discover a full report by Traveller on this fascinating side of Corfu, printed earlier than the pandemic, here.
GIVE THEM A BREAK
Apropos lodges accommodating canine and different animals (Traveller, Might 7), after touring Canada a number of years in the past I could not get my head round why visitors occurring trip needed to convey their canine with them. Certainly petotels have been established to allow the mutts to take a break from their homeowners.
Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook, NSW
PILLOW TALK
Each time I travelled I used to take a few pillow slips to offer one other layer of consolation and typically, peace of thoughts, with lodging pillows. As soon as when caught quick handed, I realised my spare T Shirt made an important various. Overlook the P-slip and take one other T-Shirt.
Geoff Geraghty, Crows Nest, NSW
EDITOR’S NOTE We would love to listen to from readers about what different gadgets they like to take with them when travelling with the intention to add one other factor of consolation.
NEW NORMAL
Regarding the “Oh Canada” letter from Greg Cornwell (Traveller Letters, May 21), I too have simply returned from abroad and I needed to do each pre-flight and on-arrival PCR testing. Nonetheless, all outcomes are obtained and retained in a digital format so I fail to know why Greg and his spouse have been required to spit right into a vial every day. Certainly they’d outcomes on their cellphone? Or on a pc? And as for Australia’s Digital Passenger Declaration, which has been in existence for months, our airline messaged me a couple of week previous to our return dwelling reminding us to fill it out on-line or by way of the app. We’re informed of those hurdles, and while it’s an inconvenience, it’s fantastic to have the ability to journey once more.
Debbie Wiener, East St Kilda, Vic
RISKY BUSINESS
I lately returned from a a lot anticipated vacation at a distant lodge in Western Australia, accessible solely by air or sea (I travelled there by way of Melbourne, Darwin and Kununurra). Sadly, properly into the vacation, I examined constructive for COVID. It was essential to be airlifted from the lodge by a COVID protected flight to Kununurra, at an upfront price of $4810. No insurance coverage (personal, bank card, Medicare) lined COVID-related bills. Whereas COVID is so widespread in Australia, are such distant experiences actually definitely worth the threat?
Hugh Corr Hoppers Crossing, Vic
GATE CLOSED
With regards to Michael Atkin’s “Open the gate” letter (Tipometer, Might 29) and his issue in acquiring a refund from gotogate.com, we resorted to contacting our financial institution’s bank card division and went by way of the method of retrieving the funds that method. Our argument was that we had not obtained the service that we had paid for. Gotogate argued the purpose however the financial institution has paid us the cash again. Good luck, fellow traveller.
Kerry Vincz, Haberfield, NSW
TOP TIPS
A giant thanks for the assistance, concepts, ideas and inspiration you’ve got offered on this web page (Lonely Planet, the topic of your weekly prize, is my “bible” for my travels and it by no means failed me). Listed below are a few of my very own favorite journey ideas: all the time guide lodging that’s central, permitting you to have the ability to readily return to it throughout the day or night time; do study fundamental phrases within the language of the nation you’re visiting (it’s respectful and courteous); familiarise your self with the tradition’s dos and don’ts; all the time carry with you the handle and cellphone variety of the lodge the place you’re staying.
Annabel Fegan, Mornington, VIC
BUY AUSTRALIAN
I learnt from mates who learnt the arduous method, solely guide on-line with brokers accredited in Australia. I all the time examine on atas.com.au to make sure that they’re. You might be then lined by Australian legal guidelines to obtain credit or refunds.
Michele Sharp, Queens Park, NSW
WIN A SET OF TRAVEL BOOKS
The Letter of the Week author wins Hardie Grant journey books value greater than $100. For June, that features Final Biking Journeys: Australia by Andrew Bain; On the Himalayan Path by Romy Gill; and Rewilding Youngsters Australia by Melissa Mylchreest.
See hardiegrant.com
The Tip of the Week author wins a set of three nice Lonely Planet journey books, together with Final Australia Journey Record, The Journey Guide and Armchair Explorer.
HOW TO WRITE TO US
We give choice to letters of 100 phrases or fewer they usually could also be edited for area, authorized or different causes. Please use full sentences, do not use textspeak and do not embrace attachments. E mail us at travellerletters@traveller.com.au and, importantly, embrace your identify, handle and cellphone quantity.
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