Traveller Letters: I wasted my Qantas points on a hotel booking
Each week Traveller publishes a selection of rants, raves and travel tips from our readers. See below on how you can contribute.
Pointless points spend
One Traveller reader was unhappy with the cost of booking a hotel with Qantas.
I recently made a hotel reservation through Qantas Hotels, so I could use some Frequent Flyer points. The quoted price for a one-night stay in the Sydney CBD was $305, reduced to $272 when I used about 5600 Frequent Flyer points. A week later, I needed to ring the hotel and went to their own website to find the number. Imagine my surprise and disappointment to find that if I’d booked directly with the hotel, I would have paid only $144 and kept my Frequent Flyer points. I’ve learned my lesson – caveat emptor.
Merona Martin, Meroo Meadow, NSW
Buyer beware
We were flying out to Vietnam recently on a 6.45am flight so we booked two rooms to stay at Rydges Sydney Airport for the evening before the flight. It was some months prior and the rate was $360 a room – “the best flexible rate”. I confirmed the booking as requested and paid in full the day before, not thinking to check the rate. On the day of our check-in the rate on Booking.com was $186. I contacted the hotel but was informed nothing could be done as $360 was the best rate “at the time of booking”. We paid almost double for our rooms. Travellers, beware.
Lyndall Jones, Booker Bay, NSW
Letter of the week: My tip? Don’t hide your fees
The tip? Gratuities need some clarity.Credit: iStock
If there is one topic bound to invoke emotive discussion, it’s tips and gratuities when travelling. I’ve just returned from a 10-day cruise with one of the major companies and it was only by chance overhearing another passenger that I discovered that my wife and I had each been levied $US18 a day as a compulsory staff gratuity – amounting to some $500! A detailed examination of my documentation failed to find any mention of this, but I did eventually find it hidden in one of the numerous drop-down menus on the company website. A visit to the ship’s purser soon sorted it out and the amount was removed, replaced by a more realistic amount we were happy to pay.
I’ve since discovered that some less scrupulous companies not only don’t tell you about the charge, but make a point of adding it to your account on the last or second last night, with the idea being that even if you do check your account regularly, you’re more likely to overlook these late additions. A more transparent scheme is clearly needed.
Ross MacPherson, Seaforth, NSW
Gluten for punishment
As a vegetarian with coeliac disease, I can’t agree with the positive review of Emirates business class (Traveller, November 19). Vegetarianism is my choice; coeliac disease is not. On my recent Sydney-Europe flights, meat was the only option in all my gluten-free meals. Each meal involved tedious conversations with stewards about whether they could substitute vegetarian dishes from other menus. They knew nothing of gluten contamination or the possible unpleasant (but not deadly) consequences of a gluten attack. My solution is to ignore askance looks from other travellers and pilfer gluten-free food from the lounge buffet to take on board. My British Airways Business Class flights last year were no different.
Jane Mills, Bondi, NSW
Jetstar staff can be stars
A huge call-out to Jetstar after a cancelled flight from Hobart to Sydney which I was quickly rebooked on, all via SMS. It had all the look and feel of a charter flight. The customer service manager had arranged for lots of food on board – all offered at a discount and every passenger was given a $10 voucher, and we all received a drink and cake. There were none of the usual baggage rules at boarding – fast on and fast off. A few passengers were concerned about connecting flights and the crew had them at the front for speedy departure. We are quick to knock them when they get it wrong, and they do. But I’m happy to applaud loudly when they get it so right, demonstrating their commitment and obligation to passengers.
Ingrid Thompson, Enmore, Sydney
Virgin’s personal touch
I annoyingly often need to change domestic Virgin flights, no stress involved, phone answered promptly, incredibly polite helpful person deals with the change swiftly and professionally, seat allocation is discussed with genuine consideration, and I have a confirming email and peace of mind within minutes.
Susie Holt, South Yarra, Vic
Strife in the fast lane
Muscat Airport … spend the money for the express lane.Credit: iStock
Two articles – queuing at Haneda Airport (Traveller, November 26) and cheapskate coffee (Traveller, November 28) – triggered memories from our midnight flight arrival in Muscat, Oman, earlier this year. Initially impressed by the airport (clean and modern, not as pretentious as those of its neighbours Dubia and Doha), we were taken aback upon reaching immigration to find a sea of people queuing.
After a short while in the queue, we noticed there was an express lane at a cost of OMR10 ($40) each. We were then in a pay-or-save dilemma – do we pay (in our case for an otherwise free service, just to get to our hotel earlier) or take the cheapskate option? To our eventual regret – queuing took nearly two hours – we chose to save $80. Given the same situation again, we’d pay and get some extra sleep.
Greg Dunmill, Hurstbridge, Vic
Tip of the week: High praise
Bergamo and its magnificent cityscape.Credit: iStock
Some time ago, Michael “The Tripologist” Gebicki wrote about Milan being a big fairly dull city and recommending that travellers stay in the small perched town of Bergamo, an hour by train from Milan. As I was organising a trip to Italy at that time, I took note.
Bergamo turned out to be one of the loveliest places I’ve been. I stayed in a bed and breakfast in an old palazzo and spent my days wandering the ancient streets. I did pop down to Milan for a few hours but couldn’t wait to get back. I am now inspired to seek out these places near big cities. I was travelling alone and felt somehow more comfortable in this smaller space. A later recommendation from Michael was Orvieto, another small town between Rome and Florence. Again, it was so lovely I am taking the family there next year. Thank you Michael, you’ve changed the way I now travel.
Jo Peel, Balmain, NSW
Medina crush
Beware of traffic in Marrakesh’s medinas. Credit: iStock
Having just been to Marrakesh in Morocco I was impressed by many of the outstanding buildings there, some dating back centuries. However, I would never ever want to go back again. Why? You take your life in your hands when you visit the medinas and souks. These tiny streets are filled with very aggressive and forceful motor bike riders that speed and push through regardless. Do not suddenly turn around or step out of a store – it may well be the last thing that you do. My advice is choose another city to visit the medinas and souks.
Vince Vozzo, Elwood, Vic
Nice in Nice
We have just returned from a holiday in Europe which included hiring a car in Nice. We spent a week driving around the south of France. I have only positive comments to make about French drivers: they are courteous and patient. As many of the roads are single lane, they will wait for you to reverse park or pull out of a park, which sometimes takes a lot of manoeuvring. Don’t be afraid to hire a car, remember my motto if you haven’t driven on the “other” side of the road – “DIM or driver in the middle”, stick to the speed limits and be kind to other drivers. Maybe the narrow lanes and narrow roads make for better drivers?
Susie Mioni, Hawthorn East, Vic
Back to the future
In 1975/76 while working in Rome, friends sometimes took us to an old farmhouse in Montefollonico, Tuscany, which they looked after for other friends on a posting in South America. This year, when looking for somewhere in Tuscany to stay for a few days, we were delighted to find that the old farmhouse is now Podere La Paolina and we stayed there for five nights. The present owners are the children of the friends’ friends and were delighted to welcome us back and to see our photos taken nearly 50 years ago. Sometimes, going back is very special.
Graham Hannaford, Ainslie, ACT
The Letter of the Week writer wins three Hardie Grant travel books. See hardiegrant.com
The Tip of the Week writer wins a set of three Lonely Planet travel books. See shop.lonelyplanet.com
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