Traveller letters: Tipping is just credit card theft and it's out of control

Daniela Scalcon, Cabarita, NSW

Why does Robin Humphrey tip people for doing jobs that she has paid for? The cost of accommodation covers room cleaning and other services.

Does she tip the hotel receptionist, pool cleaner or the chef? I doubt it. If staff were paid adequately there would be no need for tipping.

Lindsay Somerville, Lindsfield, NSW

We rarely require our room serviced every day and therefore leave the "do not disturb" sign on the door.

If we want our room made up we simply take the sign off the door and leave an appropriate tip depending which country we are in.

Peter Miniutti, Ashbury, NSW

ICELAND A NICE LAND

I spent the last days of the northern summer in Iceland, enjoying its clear air, mossy green rocks, grey-blue glaciers and black volcanic beaches.

Hiring a car gave a chance to explore beyond the big name sites, and interpretive signage was ubiquitous and helpful.

Some visitors had taken advantage of Icelandair's Atlantic stopover to spend a few days in this amazing landscape.

Sure, prices were high, but there are many levels of accommodation, from camping to class. In spite of unlocked doors, Iceland felt incredibly safe.

And there's so much to learn about the people and their history. I prepared by reading Richard Fidler and Kari Gislason's book Sagaland, and highly recommend it.

Elizabeth Hartnell-Young, North Melbourne, VIC

KEEP IT SIMPLE

With regards to James Cook's query regarding travel cards, I have a Citibank Simplicity debit card.

It can be used overseas for ATM withdrawals in a local currency that incurs no conversion or foreign transaction fees. It just withdraws the Australian dollar equivalent from your bank account.

Daryll Gigg, Chiswick, NSW

PRIDE OF THE FLEET

After arriving in Sydney from Melbourne on QF446 recently the airport was suddenly shut down due to a severe storm. As a result we were stuck on board for the best part of two hours.

The crew excelled. First Officer Umberto and the captain kept us updated on the weather and our status every 10 minutes and reassured passengers that ongoing flights were probably grounded so no need to panic.

Crew member Scott used his Japanese language skills to keep a large contingent of Japanese travellers updated and informed. The rest of the crew remained smiling and efficient.

This kept the atmosphere positive despite the major delay and I didn't hear one complaint from the passengers on board.

Well done, Qantas – customer service at its best!

Matt Petersen, Randwick, NSW

HOW LOW CAN YOU GO

I am amazed that anyone who books a flight with the lowest of the low budget airlines – as Tigerair is – expects all the perks of a premium airline, as did Philip Jaffe (Traveller Letters, September 8).

I checked out Tigerair and a return fare Sydney to Melbourne is $83. For that he expects that when a flight is cancelled due to bad weather that airline should have put him up in a hotel for two nights.

I do think that instead of a credit they should have offered him a refund on the return flight. Travellers don't need to be forewarned, as stated. They just need to read their contract and not expect a premium service from a budget airline.

Nigel Hourigan, Dandenong North, VIC

I have zero sympathy for Philip Jaffe in respect of his flight cancellation out of Melbourne with Tigerair.

Sorry, Philip, but the performances of both low-cost carriers (Tigerair and Jetstar) are well known when it comes flight cancellations, unless one has lived in a cave for the past 10 years.

You take an inherent risk in buying cheap. Flying Tigerair or Jetstar? We never have and never will.

Peter Reynolds, Gilmore, ACT

MASKED AVENGERS

My husband and I have just returned from a Mediterranean cruise, still coughing and spluttering. It happened from the day we arrived and it has been nearly three-and-a-half weeks now.

We put it down to the air conditioning on our long flight. I raised the idea of wearing masks but this was not considered to be worthwhile. It is.

Also check with your chemist for nasal sprays or similar to avoid contamination if possible. It took the edge off our holiday.

Helena Campbell, Tura Beach, NSW

WAITING GAME

Recently we travelled to Europe with Qatar Airways. Our flight from Melbourne was delayed and we missed our connecting flight to Berlin.

We had an eight-hour-plus wait in Doha airport. We had been told in Melbourne that we would be eligible for a hotel voucher in Doha.

Our request for a voucher in Doha was refused on the grounds that the hotels were an hour away and we would be better off to wait at the airport for our connecting flight in eight hours time.

Nine hours later we boarded our connecting flight and discovered that our fellow passengers had been given vouchers and ferried to and from the hotels, which were 20 minutes away.

Michael Canaway, St Leonards, VIC

WAY TO GO

I wonder how many readers have heard of Cobbold Gorge? And how many have actually visited?

Cobbold Gorge Village is an oasis off the Savannah Way in outback Queensland and the Gorge itself is, well, gorgeous. It's not easy to get to, but that's half the fun of it.

Perhaps it's time for Traveller to have a closer look at one of outback Australia's best-kept secrets?

Kirsten Walla, Vaucluse, NSW

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