This was published 3 years ago
Traveller Letters: The problem with my Qantas flight credit
Qantas offered credits to passengers whose flights were cancelled due to COVID-19.Credit: Getty Images
CREDITS WHERE CREDITS ARE DUE
I am wondering if anyone else has had the experience in trying to claim some flight credits for a new flight from Qantas. Qantas gave us credits for two flight bookings that were cancelled by the airline due to the flight issues of the pandemic. This of course is accepted and understood.
I have now tried to claim part of one of these credits for a domestic flight in December but it is a booking for one person. The credits from Qantas are for a two-person booking, and the system keeps wanting me to make a booking for two in order to claim any of the credit. Trying to make the single person booking keeps giving me a two person booking against the credit.
Has anyone else experienced this situation or can advise how to do a single person booking from a double person credit?
Terry Waterson, Wahroonga, NSW
JAM SESSION
When mentioning places to go and visit, how often do I see "high tea" described as "Devonshire tea." You can't have a real Devonshire tea unless it is with clotted cream. Whipped or thickened cream doesn't make it, and it must be strawberry jam. Can someone tell me where I can get a real Devonshire tea in Australia? Even the best hotels don't seem to do it. And the difference between a Devonshire and Cornish tea? With Devonshire it is cream first followed by the jam whilst Cornish is vice versa.
Tony Saunders, Hunters Hill, NSW
CLEARING THE EIRE
Your correspondent is only half right about the "Great" in Great Britain (Traveller Letters, August 8). In French, both Britain and the French province of Brittany are called "Bretagne", so they had to differentiate between large and small (nothing to do with Ireland).
Herman Beyersdorf, Armidale, NSW
GREAT SCOTS
Not only does "Great" Britain" refer to the whole island (as per Daniel Defoe's A tour through the whole island of Great Britain) but North Britain in particular refers to Scotland, as in the North British Hotel in Edinburgh.
Rosemary Sharples, Penshurst, NSW
CANAL THERAPY
I am not one to normally involve myself in a tit for tat exercise but I cannot help but reply to P. Reynolds of Gilmore in the ACT (Traveller Letters, August 8), who makes the assumption that because we own a narrowboat in England we must be wealthy. As we found when considering our retirement options it is far cheaper to buy and run a narrowboat than a car and caravan in Australia. And we love doing it and working the canal system with its locks and bridges, which is quite physically demanding. Never a cucumber sandwich or strawberries and cream in sight.
As a recently-retired registered nurse I understand about infection control and viruses. And to the other respondent, I am quite aware of what "selfish" means. I could also make the assumption that P. Reynolds of Gilmour is a public servant as he comes from the ACT but I won't. Assumptions are dangerous .
Shelley Johnston, Allanson, WA
KEEP IT CIVIL
Please, Traveller, a little vetting of published letters. Arguments exist for and against our right to travel and debate should be encouraged. But there is no need for the petty, sarcastic letter from P. Reynolds. Keep the letters about the subject and not sliding into insults and belittlement.
Allan Roberts, Marrickville, NSW
RETURN SERVE
I've noted the letters talking about our right to travel overseas, and, yes, it's OK for you to personally take the risk of getting COVID-19 and paying for your quarantine on return. This is your choice and I don't have a problem with such a view. However, it misses the point.
If you come back to Australia with COVID-19, you are putting at risk your fellow airline passengers on the return flight, hotel quarantine staff and myriad other people you are near during your return. Even worse, if you become ill and end up in hospital, the medical staff also carry a risk of catching COVID-19 during your treatment. This is not just about you and your health choice, you are putting others at risk.
B. Kitchen, Geelong, VIC
HUNTER GATHERER
Despite some misgivings about the coronavirus situation, my husband and I headed to the Hunter Valley, NSW, earlier recently for a three-day getaway. We were delighted to discover that staff at our accommodation, restaurants and cellar doors we visited were all well-trained in social distancing and safe hygiene requirements - and made sure we all adhered to these. We encourage anyone tempted to travel there to go in the knowledge that you can be assured your health and wellbeing will be looked after. And you'll enjoy wonderful food, wine and hospitality, all while supporting that regional community.
Dianne Elliott, Newport, NSW
CLAIM GAME
Qatar Airways has now refunded my cancelled airfare (Traveller Letters, August 8) less credit card charges. Perhaps the four months waiting period is the norm. I had also lodged a claim though my credit card company and this may have spurred Qatar into action.
Lee Stiotis, Oatley, NSW
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