FIVE-STAR TREATMENT
Having recently had to miss an international flight due to circumstances beyond my control (but not claimable on travel insurance), I was concerned about the cost thrown away of a non-refundable flight and five-star accommodation.
After a couple of calls, AirAsia revealed that I could be reimbursed at least the taxes, a significant component of most fares. Hotels.com called the hotel and persuaded it to agree to reimburse the full cost of the booking.
With persistence, politeness and a reasonable excuse, non refundable doesn't always mean you can't get something, if not everything back.
Ross Duncan, Potts Point, NSW
STAYING MOBILE
On a recent trip from Albury to Proserpine and Hamilton Island via Sydney and Brisbane with Virgin Australia, my husband and I once again experienced exemplary assistance and service on all sectors which made for a most relaxing experience.
We have done this trip many times, but things have become a bit more complicated as my mobility is severely reduced and I require a wheelchair.
At all airports a wheelchair was waiting either in the air bridge or at the foot of the boarding stairs. We were boarded first but had to wait at our destinations until all other able-bodied passengers had disembarked; a small inconvenience but well worth it. It is also worth mentioning that Virgin prefers disabled passengers to book wheelchairs well in advance and for all sectors.
Thank you again, Virgin Australia.
Sibylle Texler, Harrietville, VIC
WHAT A PEARLER
Brian Johnston, I suspect I was on the same voyage as you from Amsterdam to Basel (Traveller, November 12) and I agree with everything you wrote in your feature.
I would, however, add that the crew of the Scenic Pearl was of the highest quality and this made a wonderful journey even more memorable. Their great attitude, first-class service and friendliness contributed much to a very special travel experience.
Ian Scobell, North Blackburn, VIC
NOW HEAR THIS
Doris LeRoy's letter (Traveller letters, November 12), makes an important point about security at airports, both domestic and international. As someone with two cochlear implants, I need – and ask for – a "pat search" when boarding flights, as the internal implant can set off airport security alarms.
Cochlear implant users are issued with a "Patient Identity Card", to explain about the implant to airport security staff. The point is that as bionic medicine makes further strides, airports need to become aware that more people are using bionic "spare parts", which could affect security equipment, setting off "false alarms".
As full-body security screening becomes more widespread, how will this equipment affect people with heart pacemakers, stents, cochlear implants, hip and knee replacements, and – in the foreseeable future – "bionic eyes"? I've already heard of other people with knee and hip replacements who've encountered this problem at airports, and there is a real need for security staff to be trained in a correct, and dignified, way of dealing with people using bionic medical devices.
Kaye Gooch, Prahan, VIC
As a traveller with artificial knees I can empathise with the sentiments expressed by Doris LeRoy. When transitting on to the Irish Republic I watched in astonishment as the young lady in front, who had not removed her belt, had to go back through the screening while her belt went separately and despite not activating any alarms the second time had a security officer pull up her top, put their hands inside her pants, and run them around her waist in full view of everyone.
My astonishment turned to horror as I was accorded the same treatment when only my knees had beeped at the hand-held sensor, a procedure that was repeated in similar manner some weeks later when I returned from Glasgow to board my flight home.
I have not experienced this type of search anywhere other than at Heathrow.
Kathy de Flon, Belmont NSW
I have two knee prosthesis and carry a plastic card with my name and type of implants. This card is quite useless and simple logic tells me I could still be carrying a weapon so I never get precious about being searched.
I feel compassion for the staff, just do it and let me move on. My only complaint is that my husband has to claim my hand luggage or it sits there unattended. If these inspections happen to pick up just one miscreant then it has been worth every second of my minimal discomfort.
Judy Jones, Thornleigh, NSW
NOT SO SPECIAL
I tried to book a Scoot BIZ seat on the "Tuesday Special" price and had the Scoot system cancel it on me. After entering all the details including credit card and verification I received an onscreen prompt saying it was confirmed with a booking reference number and seat numbers confirmed.
I come home later in the day looking for the confirming email and it was a no show. I checked my credit card and it had not been debited. I then rang the bank and transaction record showed it had been authorised;
I called Scoot to get explanation and was told someone had cancelled the booking. I double-checked their website and found seat prices had gone up by SGD107.
There was no way Scoot would honour the ticket even with a confirmation boarding reference.
Graeme Hooper, Toronto, NSW
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