Made any travel mistakes lately?

[cove]

kpc they could hit themselves with a missile failure.

 

[Gold60]

what did you wear on the tour ? it seems they are very particular with one's wardrobe choices for the day ?

I have been to the JSA / DMZ...very interesting place. I personally would be very nervous going now although I suspect all the North Korean missiles are aimed at Seoul and Japan

 

[kpc]

kpc they could hit themselves with a missile failure.

That is true...Pyongyang is also off my "to visit" list.

 

[kpc]

what did you wear on the tour ? it seems they are very particular with one's wardrobe choices for the day ?

Long pants....I think they were more strict for the women...no skimpy clothes including shorts! Our tour guide turned up in mini shorts to my surprise but she didn't go to the JSA.

 

[Gold60]

Thanks. for footwear, can/might one get away with a pair of newish/clean runners - velcro type that aren't normaly used for sp[ort /

Thanks. For footwear, might one get away with wearing velcro-tabbed runners - the type you wouldn't normally use for the gym/playing sports ?

Long pants....I think they were more strict for the women...no skimpy clothes including shorts! Our tour guide turned up in mini shorts to my surprise but she didn't go to the JSA.

 

[kpc]

Thanks. for footwear, can/might one get away with a pair of newish/clean runners - velcro type that aren't normaly used for sp[ort /

Thanks. For footwear, might one get away with wearing velcro-tabbed runners - the type you wouldn't normally use for the gym/playing sports ?

I should think so...IIRC that is what I wore. You should however confirm with your travel agency.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Thanks. for footwear, can/might one get away with a pair of newish/clean runners - velcro type that aren't normaly used for sp[ort /

Thanks. For footwear, might one get away with wearing velcro-tabbed runners - the type you wouldn't normally use for the gym/playing sports ?

What, no thongs? That'd rule out the vocal minoritory of Au flyers!

 

[henleybeach]

Jesus henners - that's a shocker of a story. Hope there's some way you can get some points back at least.

It's disappointing there's nothing that can be done for that at the airport though - Sue/Susan - you'd think there'd be flexibility for shortened versions of first names...

Unfortunately I've rang velocity twice and spoke to two operators about the points but answer is no and then a lecture about making sure the name is correct on ticket blah blah . Hard pill to swallow to see 220k points just gone , but the good news is , my parents got through checkin and boarded Qatar last night from Adelaide and are on their way to Abu Dhabi . Luckily they had a two day buffer before their cruise ! I have learnt a lesson.

 

[serfty]

I have a DMZ tour booked for Tuesday - watching closely. (part of the FlyerTalk Korea do)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hard pill to swallow to see 220k points just gone...

This seems harsh. The Velocity rules around refunds and cancellations are contradictory... first line says refunds and cancellations at any time before departure, but the second line says 'must be requested 24 hours before departure'. The airline had the power to reissue the ticket but chose not to. Unfair to keep to 220K?

 

[Gold60]

you may have to tread lightly through those minefields then ?? ....

I have a DMZ tour booked for Tuesday - watching closely. (part of the FlyerTalk Korea do)

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Beats me! Maybe CASA rules??? who knows.

CASA have nothing to do with ticketing, if anything it would be an IATA issue. Security/ID checking/DG's etc comes under OTS (Office of Transport and Safety) formerly known as DOTARS (Dept of Transport & Regional Services). This is the mob who randomly do spot checks at airports making sure CSA’s ask security questions etc.

But they would after the flight transfers to airport control, I assume. I don't think this is a simple "ticketing" issue. I think there are prohibitions and restrictions that are outside the airlines control.

I'm not really sure what all the hoo haa is about a flight being under 'airport control'. It's not like T-24 is heralded by a marching band with drum majorettes which at an airport like BNE would happen in excess of 100 times per day. Going back to by GDS help desk days I believe the eticket coupon would change from 'O' meaning open for use to 'A' meaning airport control at T-24 then 'C' once pax had checked in then eventually 'F' being flown once the flight was taken. I don't think that if a flight coupon was under airport control that it prevented the eticket from being reissued but TBH I can't remember.

Don't know about all airlines who use Altea but most airport staff should be able to access to flights approx 3 days out or T-80 for flight editing purposes eg seating groups WCHR pax etc once the names migrate across from the res system.
I think the terminology 'under airport control' refers more to airline reservations departments or pax not being able to do seat changes or other requests either through res or online via the MMB portal.

IMO T-24 aka 'airport control' is more about a loss of the ability to perform certain functions at that time meaning it has to wait until the pax are at the airport and the change made in the checkin system not the res system.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Security/ID checking/DG's etc comes under OTS (Office of Transport and Safety) formerly known as DOTARS (Dept of Transport & Regional Services).

Minor pedantry - the Office of Transport Security is an office within the organisation currently named the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, and formerly known as the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, prior to that the catchy Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, and pre-2008 as the Department of Transport and Regional Services.

 

[GarrettM]

kpc they could hit themselves with a missile failure.

Apparently they have.

North Korea missile launch attempt fails, South Korea and US Pacific Command say - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[Quickstatus]

Unfortunately I've rang velocity twice and spoke to two operators about the points but answer is no and then a lecture about making sure the name is correct on ticket blah blah . Hard pill to swallow to see 220k points just gone , but the good news is , my parents got through checkin and boarded Qatar last night from Adelaide and are on their way to Abu Dhabi . Luckily they had a two day buffer before their cruise ! I have learnt a lesson.

They saw the free 220k points and the potential to resell the seat at non discount prices or upgrading a passenger for even more points
Right up to the gate the airline could have reissued the tickets but decided not to.
Gate ticket reissues happen all the time.

Again an example of an airline hiding behind the rules rather than doing the right thing by the customer.

 

[straitman]

There has got to be a way to escalate the issue toward getting the points back. Too much 'money' to simply let go IMHO.

 

[henleybeach]

There has got to be a way to escalate the issue toward getting the points back. Too much 'money' to simply let go IMHO.

I would love to be able to contact someone at velocity , unfortunately the only options are a phone call to some random velocity rep or some generic email address which you will get a generic response ! My parents don't care even if they have to pay something .

 

[cove]

I was thinking those missiles on display may have been fakes as they might not want to nuke their leader by accident just yet. No I am not visiting the DMZ this week with Serfty.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I would be getting email addys for Producers of shock jock radio shows - the kinda thing they would love to get a hold of.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Unfortunately I've rang velocity twice and spoke to two operators about the points but answer is no and then a lecture about making sure the name is correct on ticket blah blah . Hard pill to swallow to see 220k points just gone , but the good news is , my parents got through checkin and boarded Qatar last night from Adelaide and are on their way to Abu Dhabi . Luckily they had a two day buffer before their cruise ! I have learnt a lesson.

There has got to be a way to escalate the issue toward getting the points back. Too much 'money' to simply let go IMHO.

Could try the Airline Customer Advocate for whatever that's worth. Doesn't cost anything so doesn't hurt to ask.