Traveller Letters: When it comes to prices, what goes around comes around

MOUNTAIN TENSION

Oh, Brian Johnston and Catherine Marshall - your contributions to the "Lost worlds" cover story (Traveller, November) evoked major fernweh (far-sickness) and tearful nostalgia as we too are desperate for mountains and enjoyed New Year 2020 in Austria's Arlberg. This is the first December in nine years that we're not heading off to magical Europe. We'd planned to hunt down the Northern Lights this year but instead we'll be grateful for our staycation in stunning Sydney and to enjoy some armchair travelling.

Rhoda Silber, Manly, NSW

HAIR OF THE DOG I

In response to Rosemary Macey's comment that "there are very few people who are allergic to pet hair" (Traveller letters, November 7), there are probably more than she thinks. My wife, for example, was allergic, but that did not prevent us from being owned by two cats. Personally I would find it quite disgusting if I found dog hair in the bedding; I once dumped a girlfriend because she insisted on allowing her dogs to sleep in the bed.

Dave Horsfall, North Gosford, NSW

HAIR OF THE DOG II

Rosemary Macey (Traveller letters, November 7) in her letter about pet hair made the inaccurate claim that very few people are allergic to pet hair. While this is a travel site, I am surprised that neither she nor the editors checked the accuracy of her claim. There is unfortunately a lack of scientific studies in this area. Around 20 per cent of Australians have a pet allergy, mostly to cats and dogs, and mainly to saliva on dander and hair. European estimates range from 10 to 56 per cent of citizens being sensitive to animal hair. Whichever way you look at it, these figures hardly represent "very few people".

Tim Lucas, Melbourne, VIC

HAIR OF THE DOG III

The Element Hotel Richmond, Melbourne, which opened last year, was mentioned in a recent edition of Traveller. Pets are welcome there but unfortunately our dog was just over the hotel's 20 kilogram limit. Nevertheless we decided to spend a night there. It is a beautiful modern hotel and tastefully decorated with lovely public places in which to sit and relax. The rooms were comfortable with everything you could want or need and the beds are heavenly. There was even a spa on the balcony that was very relaxing and pleasant to sit and chill overlooking expansive parklands. The staff were friendly, patient and accommodating with the location lending itself to interesting and wonderful walks along the Yarra River and around the trendy shopping strips of Swan Street and Bridge Road. Bicycles are available from the hotel and it is just a short tram ride to the city centre. Thank you Traveller for bringing this hidden gem to our attention.

Jennifer Richtman, East St Kilda, VIC

GOOD POLICY

Early November a surprise email arrived from Cover-More stating that I may be eligible for a refund for a policy I took out for a single trip to Kyrgyzstan in August this year. Like all trips it had been cancelled. I applied for a refund and the same day the total premium amount ($703) was credited to my credit card. I am a happy customer.

Fiona Hainespettet, Pullenvale, QLD

BAD POLICY

Correspondents have been writing about certain travel insurers and credit cards (Traveller letters, October 31). I had an experience with Allianz that has left me wary and disappointed. For very many years I have been covered for travel insurance with an ANZ Platinum credit card. For many years they were underwritten by QBE insurance. QBE were fantastic when it came to covering pre-existing conditions, and there was opportunity to speak to somebody and there was nuance with details. Then Allianz took over, you can no longer talk to anybody, there is no nuance in the online questions and I am now written off for cover. Given that nothing in my history has changed, why will they now not cover conditions that QBE always did? This is a big loss for the consumer who may pay extra fees to be able to get insurance with their credit card.

Judy Hungerford, North Curl, NSW

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