This was published 8 years ago
Traveller letters: Don't feel sorry for millennials who can't afford mortgages
LETTER OF THE WEEK
There is another reason why millennials can't afford a house or a mortgage (Traveller, March 19) It's because they don't start saving as we did. We have six children, three of whom are overseas with one more leaving in a month.
A couple of them seem to be off for a break every couple of months. We love their lifestyle choices and respect them but not at the expense of feeling sorry they can't get a mortgage when they decide they want to settle down.
It's about choices. Society nowadays tells young people to choose not to be shackled. I don't feel any of our children feel things should be handed to them as they all work very hard in their own way.
But nor do I think we should continue to repress ourselves financially and limit our own desire to travel so they can have it all. As I've told them, there are no pockets in shrouds.
Hilary Cook-Geraerts, Armadale, VIC
CHILE RECEPTION
Returning recently from holidaying in South America my husband and I had to stopover for one night in Santiago where Australians have to pay a reciprocity fee of $US117 per person.
On arrival we tried to pay this fee by credit card (as we had done on a previous visit 12 months ago) but none of the credit card machines were operational and hadn't been for at least 24 hours.
Being at the end of our holiday, we didn't have the required amount in US dollars and were then told we had to seek the services of a police officer to escort one of us (the other one of us had to remain in the immigration area) outside to an ATM.
This was not an easy task either as no one wanted to take responsibility for the problem. It took some time and several attempts to find an operational ATM, get the required amount in Chilean pesos and then have them converted to $US234. All of this took one hour and 40 minutes.
Other travellers we subsequently met had the same experience later in the evening. I can't imagine what happened the next day when a Qantas plane load of Australians tried to enter Santiago. Maybe Chile could adopt the same system as Argentina whereby visitors could pay this fee via the internet before arrival.
Kim Richmond, Wahroonga NSW
CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT
This advice is for the hordes of Australians who find themselves at a loose end at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) after checking out of their hotel while waiting for the late evening flights home.
We've stayed in most of the LAX hotels on the way home from skiing in Colorado in recent years and the most recent was the Crowne Plaza. It was one of the best, as it has a stylish and comfortable sports bar and food court where five of us spent many hours in a quiet corner waiting our time. The hotel itself is an excellent tourist standard with frequent free shuttles to the terminal.
Dennis Leman, Gold Coast, QLD
CUTTING REMARKS
I had a similar experience a few years ago to your reader's letter (Traveller Letters, March 5-6) about US customs cutting zips on luggage. Travelling to Salt Lake City via LAX and despite have bought the recommended TSA luggage padlock the customs officers cut the zip to which the lock was attached.
This act made it impossible for me to ever lock the bag again. I was travelling with others who recommended not bother to lock my bags in future as if anyone wants to get in they will. Since then that is what I have done and always carry any valuables in hand luggage.
Jane Cox, Torquay VIC
LONE VOICE
I write to endorse the views of "singularly unimpressed". While my husband was alive we cruised at least once a year. Despite being on the highest level in Captains Circle on Princess, a high level on Holland America' s frequent sailing club, and in several other shipping lines' frequent sailors clubs, I have had to pay a 100 per cent surcharge on the two cruises I have undertaken on my own. I would love to cruise more often but find having to pay for two people prohibitive. Surely the shipping lines could make available some accommodation for singles at say a 10 per cent surcharge.
Beth Rose, Mosman, NSW
IRAN RUNAROUND
In January, when I was planning a trip to the US in September, I did everything in the right order: researched my options, got my approval to enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program, bought travel insurance, then started shelling out for international and internal flights, accommodation, train and car hire.
Many of these were non-refundable. A week or so later I happened to read in one of your publications that the US had changed the rules. I'd visited Iran on an organised tour in November 2011, and it transpired that I now required a visa.
This involved completing a lengthy online application then presenting myself at a US consulate and there were warnings not to pay for anything related to my trip until it had been approved.
My return trip to Sydney and the cost of the visa came to around $800, but worse, in the back of my mind, if the visa was not approved, I knew I'd be around $5000 out of pocket.
The good news is that it all went smoothly. The US consulate officer was cordial and friendly and I'm now looking forward to my trip. But I thought your readers might like a little reminder of what can happen if they have been to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 2011.
Graham Meale, Boambee East, NSW
WE WELCOME YOUR TRAVEL-RELATED OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES
The writer of the letter judged the best of the week will receive a Lonely Planet prize pack. See lonelyplanet.com.
Letters may be edited for space, legal or other reasons. Preference will be given to letters of 50-100 words or less.
Email us at travellerletters@fairfaxmedia.com.au and, importantly, include your name, address and phone number.
To read more Traveller Letters, click here.
Sign up for the Traveller newsletter
The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.