Traveller Letters: Airline demanded to speak only to injured child’s father

The dying kangaroo

We recently took a Qantas flight from Perth to Melbourne. My observations were that this is a brand that is not representative of the Australian way but a brand that has lost its way. The aircraft was old and dilapidated and well past its use by date. The tray table had not been cleaned. The aircraft was late and the information boards in the Perth airport did not reflect that. I observed that the onboard staff were putting on a brave face, but some were clearly unhappy and did not want to be there. What has happened to what was a premium brand? I’m embarrassed for all the loyal staff who have obviously been sacrificed in the name of profit or what they are calling productivity. Bring on a new chief executive and let’s get this once-great Australian icon back to number one position. It certainly does not represent value for money, or an overall pleasant experience.
Jenny Knight, Hawthorn, Vic

Airline with a baht

After all the negative reports on airlines, here is a good news story. We flew Melbourne to Phuket with Singapore Airlines with a tight connection in Singapore. We made the connection, but our luggage didn’t. On arrival in Phuket, a rep from the airline was waiting at the baggage carousel with a list of people in our situation. After filling out a form we were given TBH2500 (about $100), for our inconvenience. Our luggage came on a flight two hours later and was delivered to our hotel in Khao Lak one and a half-hours after we arrived – amazing considering Khao Lak is over an hour from Phuket.
Jenny Latimer, Bentleigh, Vic

Being there

After reading the letter from Christina Weston-Peyton (Traveller Letters, June 24) I can only fully endorse her comments on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. My great uncle is also interred in the Adelaide Cemetery between Amiens and Villers Bretonneux in France. My only visit came after a train ride from Paris to Amiens where a young lady in the local tourism office could not have been more helpful and offered to arrange a car to take me to the cemetery and then on to Villers Bretonneux. It turned out to be her father who spoke no English and was charming. I arrived at the Adelaide Cemetery where the fog was just lifting and a number of men were working in the gardens. I found the grave, using the map provided from the Commission and, while standing there, a workman offered me a small rose and a trowel. I planted the rose and, as I walked away, I realised I was the only member of my family who had ever been there.
Craig Willis, Boorolite, Vic

Every Witt way

Knowing that we would be heading to Amsterdam this year, I was pleased to read your editor Anthony Dennis’ review of the Kimpton De Witt hotel in Traveller late last year. Based on his recommendation, my husband and I stayed there last month for two nights and found it very comfortable. The food in the Celia restaurant was great, and they now have a happy hour between 4pm and 5pm with generous servings of wine and beer plus excellent appetisers from the kitchen.
Barbara Ryan, Caringbah South, NSW

Tip of the week: Top rates in the Top End

We’ve just returned from two weeks in NT and had a fabulous time. Darwin is such a vibrant city with so much on offer including markets, museums, festivals and great bars. When you head out of town, Kakadu, Nitmilmuk and Litchfield are all must-see stops but you need a car and this is where the Top End Visitor Information Centre in Darwin is fantastic. You get the best possible price for a rental car and they are the only people in Darwin offering unlimited kilometres on your hire. You can even book a rental car online via the centre and, while they are a little slow to respond, you’ll be surprised by their rates and offering.
Allen Perry, McKinnon, Vic

Overnight sensation

If arriving at Terminal 5 London Heathrow, beware of staying overnight at a Terminal 5 hotel, as taxis are costly (and there’s only one hotel within walking distance at the terminal). Earlier this year I found the minimum taxi cost was £20, even for a 10 minute ride. Both ways this adds nearly $80 to the overnight stay. Better to stay at a Terminal 4 hotel, as we did, as they are walking distance from the terminal. To get there, it’s a short free ride from Terminal 5 – you’ll need a credit card to open the gate which won’t be charged. You then take the free inter-terminal underground train which takes about 20 minutes.
David Greenall, Black Rock, Vic

Full bottle

Further to the Tripologist’s advice (Traveller, June 25) about travelling with a baby, the main caveat is to not rely on the airline for any baby-specific items. Bring enough nappies, snacks, formula, distractions and other items for the trip (regardless of whether the airline says they have supplies on board). We learned the hard way.
Betsy Richens, Greystanes, NSW

Hot stuff

Klaus Wowereit, a mayor of Berlin pointed out in 2003 that, while Berlin at the time may have been poor (arm), it was also “sexy”. Who can disagree? And, despite the building work at various railway stations and the continuing problems at the “new” (since October) Brandenburg Airport, Berlin is definitely still worth a visit. At present, the ladies’ loo in the baggage collection area is repeatedly out of service but hopefully someone has refilled both soap dispensers in the ladies’ further down from that area. Both machines dispensing public transport tickets are also out of order. But once you get through customs the very helpful staff at the travel centre (reisezentrum) can provide both tickets and advice.
Merran Loewenthal, Vienna, Austria

Wise advice

Readers should note the Wise debit card mentioned a couple of times recently in Traveller is not suitable for self-funded retirees as they require proof of income during the application process (similar to credit cards). There are debit cards available from Australian banks with much the same benefits and without the need to provide proof of income.
David Parker, Geelong West, Vic

Nab a Nib

My suggestion to seniors having difficulties obtaining travel insurance is to contact Nib travel insurance department. They seem to have good coverage for seniors, even for those with medical issues that will need to be disclosed to the company. My wife is mid-70s and I am OBE (Over Bloody Eighty) and both of us have health issues. We obtained 12 months’ travel cover for about $2000 (Australasian travel, elsewhere may cost more). Single travel cover would be probably under $500 for two people. A bonus if anyone also has Nib health insurance is that a 10 per cent discount applies.
Trevor Watkins, Dudley, NSW

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