Made any travel mistakes lately?

[henrus]

might not twig in the moment, but is there ever a JQ codeshare on QF metal? I know the other way around there would be...

There used to be on some regional flights like TSV-CNS to connect to JQs Japan flights.

 

[Flashback]

Maybe save them and try i nanother country later?

I'm not a fan of using cash, but when it is needed prefer to withdraw small amounts in local currency, and use it quickly. Never liked that some places only want pristine notes, nothing about the way cash is handled leaves them perfect after first use.

USA is the only country I can think of, as they are less fussy. Other countries seem to demand crisp, fresh notes. Laos is especially bad in this regard. At $4 USD per withdrawal small amounts aren't an option otherwise the fees really add up. Also took 5 ATMs before we found one that worked. Reminds me of Nepal and India in that regard.

 

[Cossie]

Back in the UK it might be possible. It is a pain, I bought US $ years ago, all old notes, Laos, Myanmar wouldn’t take them. A big pain in the nether regions.

 

[Flashback]

Back in the UK it might be possible. It is a pain, I bought US $ years ago, all old notes, Laos, Myanmar wouldn’t take them. A big pain in the nether regions.

Actually it was Myanmar we had big issues, not Laos.

Good news, tried a private banking part of one of the banks and they swapped them as the machine they ran them through verified, once the manager approved it also. Money is now duly sitting in our waterproof hiking bag!

 

[cambriamarsh]

Not mine, but today our Finance Director went to the airport (at 5:30am as well) 7 days early

Can't he count?

 

[Seat0B]

We've never had any issues with any of our escapes, nor did I have a problem getting a refund when covid scuttled our plans. Getting the transfer sorted took some effort but they came good.

We've had a good run with Luxury Escapes

I’ll add that we have also only had good results with LE, happy to recommend.

Well I'm glad you've all had a good run. Maybe I need to try again.

We have had 2 bookings with them run smoothly (Australian staycations) and 2 internationals where both encountered problems when trying to cancel for various reasons - despite both being "fully refundable" and aggressively marketed as such. Getting an actual refund not LE credit took a lot of time effort and energy and threats of escalation, despite the "money back guarantee, no questions asked" status of the offered packages - and yes I read the small print carefully and screen shotted the conditions, which proved to be VERY necessary in getting the refund we were entitled to.

 

[Hvr]

I was wondering why the hotels in Paris were so expensive later this month.

I've just realised that the Rugby World Cup is on.

My hotel is not cheap! But it's booked and the train seats have been reserved so nearly time to enjoy my visit.

 

[n7of9]

I broke one of my own very basic rules (always book direct with the hotel) which could have had a bit of a dangerous outcome.

I'm currently on a 10-day Red Centre roadtrip. I paid cash for all my VA DSC J flights, so to save a bit of money I booked some of my accommodation using velocity points via Rocket. I get to Middle-of-nowhere Lodge this afternoon after driving all day, and the place had shut down - not closed for the evening, actually not operating for the last 3 months. The closest mobile reception was 100km away, and the closest fuel 130km. If I'd arrived closer to sundown with less fuel, I would have been in capital T trouble.

I'm now safely in bed at the Alice Springs Hilton, but a little freaked out over what could have happened.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It is why the polymer notes are so great, get wet no problem, accidently go through washer and dryer no problem. The world really should get on board with adopting them if they are going to insist on still using cash.

Lol. Maybe trying to discourage money laundering

 

[Flashback]

Back in the UK it might be possible. It is a pain, I bought US $ years ago, all old notes, Laos, Myanmar wouldn’t take them. A big pain in the nether regions.

And in an interesting twist....

BRICS: 21 Countries Officially Agree to Ditch the US Dollar in 2023

BRICS: A total of 21 countries from BRICS and ASEAN have officially agreed to ditch the US dollar for global trade in 2023 alone.

watcher.guru

 

[JohnM]

I broke one of my own very basic rules (always book direct with the hotel) which could have had a bit of a dangerous outcome.

I'm currently on a 10-day Red Centre roadtrip. I paid cash for all my VA DSC J flights, so to save a bit of money I booked some of my accommodation using velocity points via Rocket. I get to Middle-of-nowhere Lodge this afternoon after driving all day, and the place had shut down - not closed for the evening, actually not operating for the last 3 months. The closest mobile reception was 100km away, and the closest fuel 130km. If I'd arrived closer to sundown with less fuel, I would have been in capital T trouble.

I'm now safely in bed at the Alice Springs Hilton, but a little freaked out over what could have happened.

Would that be Glen Helen? Closed while they try to sort water supply issues: Outback resort closes after water transportation costs make facility economically unviable

Bad that you were not advised.

 

[leadman]

Not a mistake, but almost a classic from MU! I have a conference in Northern China starting on 12/9, and they are going to get me there on 17/9!!!! So I had to make the extremely hard decision to stay another week in the Sofitel Angkor Wat.

"Dear Mr./Ms.xx_xx_X, we regret to inform you that your flight MU514 departing from ANGKOR WAT to SHANGHAI PUDONG on 10/09/2023 has been cancelled due to the reason of airlines. Your new flight schedule is flight MU514 departing from ANGKOR WAT at 23:10 on 17/09/2023 and arriving at SHANGHAI PUDONG at 04:40 on 18/09/2023....................
This message is automatically sent by the system, please do not reply."

Also funny is that they haven't changed the other three legs, so I will be back before I start!

 

[n7of9]

Would that be Glen Helen? Closed while they try to sort water supply issues: Outback resort closes after water transportation costs make facility economically unviable

Bad that you were not advised.

Yep, I booked before they closed. And as of yesterday when i checked online, you could still book it on 3rd party booking sites.

Post automatically merged: Sep 10, 2023

Not a mistake, but almost a classic from MU! I have a conference in Northern China starting on 12/9, and they are going to get me there on 17/9!!!! So I had to make the extremely hard decision to stay another week in the Sofitel Angkor Wat.

"Dear Mr./Ms.xx_xx_X, we regret to inform you that your flight MU514 departing from ANGKOR WAT to SHANGHAI PUDONG on 10/09/2023 has been cancelled due to the reason of airlines. Your new flight schedule is flight MU514 departing from ANGKOR WAT at 23:10 on 17/09/2023 and arriving at SHANGHAI PUDONG at 04:40 on 18/09/2023....................
This message is automatically sent by the system, please do not reply."

Also funny is that they haven't changed the other three legs, so I will be back before I start!

Due to the reason of airlines

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

You must realize/realise in that part of the world, grammar and English are not the best.

 

[Buzzard]

I arrived at my hotel rather late and somewhat tired. The room was hot so I adjusted the air con settings. Nothing was happening and I added up sleeping in a hot room with the window open for some air circulation.
In the morning I reported the issue to reception. The solution was simple, turn the air con on!
I have never come across a controller where you can change the mode, fan speed and temperature when the system is off. The green light indicates on.

 

[dairyfloss]

I arrived at my hotel rather late and somewhat tired. The room was hot so I adjusted the air con settings. Nothing was happening and I added up sleeping in a hot room with the window open for some air circulation.
In the morning I reported the issue to reception. The solution was simple, turn the air con on!
I have never come across a controller where you can change the mode, fan speed and temperature when the system is off. The green light indicates on.

I could have helped you with that one - it's the same controller I have on the top level of my house

 

[SYD]

I arrived at my hotel rather late and somewhat tired. The room was hot so I adjusted the air con settings. Nothing was happening and I added up sleeping in a hot room with the window open for some air circulation.
In the morning I reported the issue to reception. The solution was simple, turn the air con on!
I have never come across a controller where you can change the mode, fan speed and temperature when the system is off. The green light indicates on.

Green for “Green friendly” ie off.

 

[Buzzard]

Green for “Green friendly” ie off.

Except in this case if the green light isn't on, neither is the air con.

 

[SYD]

Except in this case if the green light isn't on, neither is the air con.

But that’s how most work. Turn on and get the light.

I read your comment as “On“ had no indicator….

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm communicating with LE and the transfer company in Bali for my transfer next month.

First come the vouchers, both are for hotel to airport, not one each way.

Then the meet the driver instructions. Seem OK, until I reconcile with Google Street view, where you can follow the path from customs through the duty free out to the meeting area. The sign they picture to look out for is taken from the drivers (outside) point of view - I must walk under it from the other direction.

I query this and the original instruction to "bear left after you exit from customs" is now "go right as you exit from customs and meet next to the elevator" - which as far as I can tell, is to the left.

I'll manage - overthinking it too much!