This was published 7 years ago
Traveller letters: Cancelling a flight due to pregnancy and Zika virus, Singapore Airlines let me down
Singapore Airlines disappointed a Traveller reader.
ONCE BITTEN
Two recent experiences with different companies have shattered my expectations of the travel industry. After booking my trip, I found out I was pregnant, and then the Zika virus broke out in my destination, Singapore. After my host refused to refund more than 50 per cent of my pre-paid accommodation, Laura at Airbnb organised a full refund efficiently and compassionately. In contrast, after suggesting I send them a medical certificate, Singapore Airlines refused to acknowledge it and insisted I pay a cancellation fee of $200 a ticket to refund my flights. All their interactions with me were impersonal, apathetic and completely frustrating.
Caroline Mahoney, Camberwell, VIC
LETTER OF THE WEEK
CHECK THE DATES
After reading the letter from Judith Godard-Rowell (Traveller letters, November 5) I thought readers would be interested to learn of my experience at the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel near Narita Airport, Japan. Being a member of the IHG Club, I chose this hotel as a stopover on my way home to Australia from London, and had booked and paid for my accommodation through the hotel website. However, when I arrived they could find no record of my booking. I then produced my voucher, and it was pointed out to me that I had booked the hotel for the previous day! Was this a problem? Not at all, the receptionist booked me in, gave me the keys to my room and wished me a pleasant stay with no charge for the room for that day. Was I lucky or is this the norm, provided there are rooms available?
Sandra Jurkovic, Engadine NSW
BALI LOW
Caroline Gladstone's feature on Bali (Traveller, November 5) was disappointing. To participate in and promote an orang-utan "experience " is naive at best. Does she really believe these gentle creatures enjoy being manhandled day in, day out? The exploitation of animals for profit is wrong – they suffer so you can get a holiday snap?
Linda Lawson, Glen Iris, VIC
TAKEN FOR A RIDE
My wife and I recently arrived home at Sydney from Athens flying business class on Emirates. After customs we went to meet our complimentary limo driver only to be told that no driver wanted to go to Lavender Bay on the lower north shore and that we must take a taxi and send the bill to the limousine company for reimbursement. Two weeks later and after a series of emails we have not heard a word from the airline and we are still waiting for our refund – other Emirates travellers be warned.
Ian Muir, Lavender Bay, NSW
THE LONG HOP
I returned from Europe on November 5, 2016, travelling Qantas QF2. I was not looking forward to the flight from London, having endured an unpleasant outbound journey on another (unrelated) airline. I dreaded travelling with so many other passengers on the A380-800.
The attendants throughout the flight were excellent – cheerful, respectful and considerate. I rarely sleep on aircraft, despite a flat bed; during the night I called on the attendants several times for refreshments and snacks. Nothing was too much trouble in catering to my requests or those of my fellow passengers.
Congratulations to Qantas staff and to Qantas on the selection and training of its staff.
Phillip Calvert, Leichhardt, NSW
BAG LIMITS
We are unhappy with customer service on our first experience of Etihad Airways. We landed in Dublin without our checked luggage; it arrived three days later and we were compensated $US80. Returning from Rabat to Melbourne we checked in an additional 16kg bag. On its website, Etihad states that two bags up to 23kg per person are allowed for travel to/from Africa in economy, but we were charged $US320.
We queried the charge with a Melbourne staff member who confirmed the two piece allowance but said feedback had to be provided via the website. This resulted in an automatic reply and follow-up email stating that a guest relations team member would be in touch "as soon as possible". Six weeks on and we are still waiting...
Robyn Benson, Mount Martha, VIC
FROM RUSSIA, WITH LOVE
I recently returned from a 13-day tour of Russia with Goldenring Cruises, an affiliate of Travel All Russia. From the moment of my online request for further information, until the end of the tour, I could not have been more satisfied.
The trip was extremely well organised, with five-star hotels in Moscow and St Petersburg and a very comfortable cruise ship, the Volga Dream. Our Moscow hotel was a five-minute walk to the Bolshoi and Red Square, and in St Petersburg an equally short walk to the Hermitage.
There were about 85 passengers on board (it can accommodate about 109), and we were treated to excellent food, an amazing crew and lots of opportunities to learn about Russian people and their culture. On offer were Russian language classes (great fun), a cooking class, a tea ceremony, a hilarious demonstration of the many ways to drink vodka, and a series of fascinating talks from a terrific Russian professor about aspects of Russian history and political life since the Soviet era. The whole tour was extremely good value.
Judith Downie, Lower Templestowe, VIC
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