Traveller Letters: Jetstar passengers beware this rule change

Starter and finish

We have the need to fly interstate a couple of times each year and usually travel Jetstar. Economy class has suited us provided we augment our booking with a “starter plus” bundle. Customarily the starter plus bundle has entitled us to 20 kilograms checked luggage, seat selection, some food and beverage and also loyalty points (Qantas Frequent Flyer points).

Jetstar passengers no longer earn Qantas points for “starter plus” fares.

Thinking we were familiar with the package rules, when checking as to why points were not credited for our recent return flights to Queensland, we now find the rules have been changed. Bookings with a starter plus bundle made from June 4 excluded the loyalty points. We now know: always check the rules each time a booking is being made.
Russ Riseley, Newhaven, Vic

Shining a Lite

Paul Sullivan (Traveller Letters, September 14) was surprised that his Qatar Airways business class ticket didn’t provide seat selection or lounge access. Looking at the Qatar website, this would have been a “Business Lite” fare. Qatar has offered multiple tiers of fares in both economy and business classes for quite a while. Qantas does the same, just as our domestic airfares come in tiers. While his travel agent certainly should have informed him, the lesson for all travellers is to do the online homework before booking, whether DIY or through an agent.
Jeanette Mollenhauer, Leonay, NSW

Editor’s note: our resident Tripologist, Michael Gebicki, recently took at look at the trend of airlines offering “unbundled” business class fares with reduced perks. Read more here.

Creature discomforts

So Virgin is planning to allow animals in the passenger cabin area (Traveller, September 12). Virgin already carries animals on their flights in approved carriers in the aircraft hold area. We used that service to bring our cat from Perth with no adverse impact on her or us. Why would Virgin risk antagonising the majority of their customers by allowing a few passengers to have their animal in a carrier at their feet? If this goes ahead, for many people it will be goodbye Virgin, hello (reluctantly) Qantas/Jetstar.
David Parker, Geelong West, Vic

Letter of the week: empty feelings

Weather-worn in Japan.Credit: Getty Images

The idea of buying old houses in Japan has been discussed with great enthusiasm by many Japanophiles recently. They are cheap, charming, and what could possibly go wrong? I’ve been living here for a couple of months now and, in a city where population decline has left its mark, as is the case across Japan, I have noticed many akiya, or empty houses, around my neighbourhood. It may sound like an appealing idea, especially when compared with the real estate scene in Australia, but taking on an akiya is not something I would do lightly. Many of these old houses are beyond repair; crumbling old shells, or would need so much money invested, it would barely be worth it. Buyer beware.
Margot Pope, Gunma, Japan

Fancy meeting you here

Further to your correspondence about coincidences while travelling overseas (Traveller Letters, September 14), during our first time in Barcelona we gathered for a bike tour and, while being introduced to the group, recognised a couple who had kids at the same school as ours but had moved to the Gold Coast 15 years ago. Despite annual trips to the Gold Coast we never ran into them but after the bike tour we randomly saw them again two weeks later in Capri!
Scott and Michelle Barron, Malabar, NSW

My husband and I once had a two-day stopover in Singapore on our way home from spending some time in the UK. Walking down a very crowded Orchard Road my husband said, “Isn’t that Ian?” I asked, “Ian, who?” It was my brother walking towards us. We thought he was surfing in the Seychelles at that time, and he didn’t know we were in Singapore.
Pamela Linnett, Twin Waters, Qld

Some years ago, I was in New York settling into my seat to see a stage show on Broadway. The lady next to me looked at me and asked “Melbourne or Sydney?” I had with me a Myer bag as it was big enough to carry all my necessities on a day trip to the Big Apple.
Marie Nash, Balwyn, Vic

Chapter and traverse

For fellow Australians planning long trips to Europe and a little daunted by the Schengen rules, be aware the bilateral agreements in place easily allow extended stays in a number of countries. After using 90 days to traverse from Iceland to Italy, we left Germany by air to the UK for a couple of days and returned with a warm welcome at immigration. The Schengen agreement dates from the early 1950s but is well known by German border officers. In theory, you should not travel into other countries during the second visit but with no checks on the road borders (at the moment) I suspect some side detours could be doable. That said, the new database scheduled for 2025 could confuse the issue.
Mark Latchford, Seaforth, NSW

Short but no so sweet

My husband and I enjoy taking short break holidays (Traveller, September 14) but find ourselves limited in where we can go as so many restaurants are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and in some places Wednesdays and Sundays, too. How can you take a mid-week break when you can’t eat dinner from Sunday to Thursday unless you self-cater or rely on fast or pub food?
Annette Gough, Parkville, Vic

Too long on Geelong

In reference to Traveller’s guide to short breaks, the Bellarine Peninsula is more than just Geelong. There are lovely towns such as Drysdale, Portarlington, St Leonards, Queenscliff, Barwon Heads – I could go on. There are also many wineries and restaurants outside the towns, with accommodation available throughout this beautiful Peninsula, not just Geelong.
Patricia Warren, Chelsea, Vic

Holding pattern

Mike Lacinski is not alone with debit card charges on hold (Traveller Letters, September 14). When I checked into my hotel in Canada, my Westpac Worldwide Wallet was swiped with anticipated charges. I left on August 27 and paid the bill, which was significantly lower than the anticipated charges. The hotel assured me that the pending charges, involving over $2000, would disappear within a few days, but they are still there and, according to the bank, remain for 30 days. Out of concern that the card would be refused while I was travelling, I added substantial sums to the account unnecessarily.
Patricia Howes, North Avoca, NSW

Just mask

I’m most astonished that your letter writer (Traveller Letters, September 14) thinks an airline “should advise passengers with respiratory problems to wear masks”. Whatever happened to the concept of personal responsibility? Surely these days it is up to someone who is immunocompromised to carry their own masks (and wear them) and at all times.
Maggie Wilson, Port Macquarie, NSW

Tip of the week: Shelf expression

The spiral stairs at Livraria Lello.Credit: Alamy

In the historic centre of Porto, Portugal, I visit arguably the most beautiful bookshop in the world – Livraria Lello, whose crammed bookshelves, enchanting spiral staircase and beautiful stained-glass ceiling are the stuff of fairytales. It’s so popular that even an entrance fee (deductible upon later book purchase) hasn’t discouraged lengthy queues. In complete contrast is a bookshop in the laid-back Italian fishing village of Camogli. Right on the seafront, the Libreria Ultima Spiaggia’s excellent bookstock includes a surprising collection on Antarctic exploration, the owner’s passion. I bought Georges Simenon’s The Venice Train, and days later, read this on the train to – well, not actually Venice, but elsewhere in Italy. Smiling, because Italy does that to a person.
Amanda Double, Hobart, Tas

Surprise, surprise

I was recently on a cruise from Vancouver, Canada, to Seward, Alaska. At the Alaskan port of Sitka, we went to the Beak Restaurant, which had been recommended by our guide. The food was indeed good and a pleasant surprise came when we received the bill and noted the advice on the bottom. “Beak is gratuity-free and does not accept tips.” I also saw a sign that advised if a tip was left that the money would be donated to a local charity. This was definitely a first for many US and Canadian restaurants we’ve eaten at over the years, particularly as current bills suggested tip amounts be calculated from “15 per cent to 22 per cent” If any fellow Traveller readers do visit Sitka, the Beak restaurant is highly recommended.
David Thompson, Manly, NSW

Eurostar performer

I’ve just returned from volunteering at the Paris Olympics. I was an equipier, or in English, “team member” or “crew mate”, in the transport team at Gare du Nord station. Our job was to meet and greet athletes, officials and press arriving mostly aboard the Eurostar train and then escort them to their pre-booked car, van or coach. It was a challenge to understand rapid fire French on a walkie-talkie, but it was worth the struggle. I met some great people and my team was an interesting mix of personalities, all happy and friendly types. I swapped some pins with them and my spoken English was often helpful too. I completed five eight-hour shifts in a smart uniform. It was a rewarding experience and I urge others to volunteer at future Olympics or similar events.
Janine Halls, Carnegie, Vic

Base camp

I agree with Stephen Doyle that Padua, Italy is a great base for exploring the region of Veneto (Traveller Letters, September 14), including the Palladian villas and Vicenza. And it really is close enough to Venice for a day trip but not nearly as crowded. I would just add that there is at least one other reason to visit Padova and it’s Giotto’s frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel – not to be missed, but book well ahead.
Kate McCaig, Surrey Hills, Vic

Feel the serenity

We have been holidaying in Santorini for the past five days and cannot get over the beauty and serenity of this island. It is our first time here and we are staying in an amazing boutique cave hotel, on the edge of the Caldera, in Imerovigli. The sea is like glass, the sunsets are spectacular, there is a full moon every night as we explore trendy bars and traditional tavernas. Santorini will be forever in our hearts.
Rhoda Schlag, Manly, NSW

Feel the love

Jim Walsh is quite correct about the hospitality of the Vietnamese people (Traveller Letters, September 14). Put simply, no matter their personal circumstances, they have an unwavering happiness and resilience. Perhaps it is a result of those very historical atrocities to which Jim referred. It is also correct that, like most countries these days, most of Vietnam’s youth crave success in the big cities but remain proud of their roots. My partner is Vietnamese and on several visits, I have been fortunate enough to see firsthand just how they enjoy life and all the traditions it brings, particularly out of the cities. As Jim says, our support for them is vital, and you won’t regret a visit to this wonderful country and its people.
Paul Soanes, Doreen, Vic

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