Made any travel mistakes lately?

[suze2000]

Well I'm trusting to Japanese efficiency, to an extent. The other thing is, the airline website allowed me to book it, and it's on the same PNR, so I guess if we miss our flight, they'll have to deal with it. Still I wouldn't want to find myself in a middle seat in whY because of this stuff-up.

 

[JessicaTam]

It might say that somewhere, but I don't see how that's feasible given that you'd usually be expected to have your bags checked in an hour or so before departure internationally. And you're looking at at least an hour on the bus between airports, ignoring any waiting time etc.

Even D>D would be so much of a stretch that it would fail more often than not.

On the other hand, a lot would have to go wrong to mess things up if you have 4.5 hours.

Both JAL and ANA state MCT of three hours for flights within their own groups.

Gah, don't mind me. 90 minutes is MCT for JAL within NRT.

180 minutes would be a tad more accurate.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think the HND-NRT MCT is 90 minutes.

I think it’s 180?

suze2000... 4.5 hours is PLENTY of time! The ‘limousine’ bus (dunno what’s ‘limousine’ about it) takes about an hour to maybe a little longer. I did it during peak hour and comfortably made a 3 hour transfer (about 45 minutes to spare before departure). Bus leaves from right outside the arrivals area, although IIRC i had to buy a ticket (vending machines were right by the bus stop).

If it’s all on the one ticket and you miss your flight either the airline will pay for an hotel, or your insurance will. No need to fork out of your own pocket

edited... just read the last page where 180 confirmed and same PNR.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

I meant to book an overnight stop in Tokyo on the way home as we have to change between Haneda and Narita and it is only 4.5hrs. I am honestly surprised JAL's website let me book it.

It is surprising and disappointing that JAL (an airline that literally bows to passengers) doesn't facilitate the transfer of passengers on a single PNR. Nonetheless, 4.5 hours is ample time to transfer between HND and NRT by own means.

JAL advised that if a flight is delayed such that you have less than 3 hours to transfer, then speak to the ground staff upon arrival to have the next flight changed.

 

[suze2000]

Thanks guys. I'll report back when I get back. It's not until January, so plenty of time for hubby to change his mind and ask me to fix the flights.

 

[Hvr]

Thanks guys. I'll report back when I get back. It's not until January, so plenty of time for hubby to change his mind and ask me to fix the flights.

I'd suggest doing any changes ASAP. Your travel time of January is a very busy time with school holidays and ski season.

 

[sudoer]

(dunno what’s ‘limousine’ about it)

It's the difference between a fully seated coach and a local (mostly standing) bus.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's the difference between a fully seated coach and a local (mostly standing) bus.

That makes sense

 

[JohnK]

Has something changed with Tullamarine Freeway/Citylink and Bell St exit? Looks like there were some changes in July 2017.

I missed the sign that mentions this is last exit (Bell St?) before toll and ended up on Citylink down near Brunswick Rd before realising and took ages to get back to Preston.

 

[Scr77]

Has something changed with Tullamarine Freeway/Citylink and Bell St exit? Looks like there were some changes in July 2017.

I missed the sign that mentions this is last exit (Bell St?) before toll and ended up on Citylink down near Brunswick Rd before realising and took ages to get back to Preston.

Yes, I think now you exit before DFO. It is sign posted, but much earlier than you would expect.

 

[suze2000]

JohnK, yes the exit is now almost immediately after the Essendon Fields exit and combined with the Bulla Rd/DFO exit. It sucks. Especially on weekends when there's a backup of people going to the DFO. You need to be in the left lane as you pass that new hotel and conference centre otherwise you will likely miss it. The signposting is terrible as well. There's a tiny matrix sign and if you miss it, you are SOL and yeah, you end up on the tollway.

It's also a little confusing once you exit as you have to then exit right to Bell St to avoid going up to the Bulla Rd lights. I really hate it. I feel like it was designed to confuse the max no. of people and thus cause thousands of unintentional Citylink tolls.

On the upside, when you head back to the airport on Bell St, you can now be in the left or the right hand lane on the on-ramp, instead of that bunfight there was before. (also keep in mind that if you are travelling at peak hour, sometimes it's faster to go up to the Ring Rd and get onto the Tulla from there - worth checking Google Maps before you set out)

 

[JohnK]

Yes, I think now you exit before DFO. It is sign posted, but much earlier than you would expect.

Saw the Bulla Rd exit but wasn't thinking I needed to get off. I didn't check Google maps that closely.

And yes I bet the whole idea was to keep people on the Toll road to pay the toll. Think Sydney City bypass a few years back.

 

[Renato1]

I booked Qantas Award flights for a one way trip to Tokyo next year, at a cost of about 1.1 cent a point relative to the cheapest standard fare.

But this week, that flight is on sale, so that I'm now only getting 0.5 cents a point on the points expended relative to the new price - ouch.

I'm wondering if I may have made a mistake too. I found a hotel in central Tokyo - four stars, 21 sq meter room, free breakfast and next to the subway - for $200 a night. Best deal I could find there. Only problem is - as I found out later - it is currently under construction.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[sudoer]

I booked Qantas Award flights for a one way trip to Tokyo next year, at a cost of about 1.1 cent a point relative to the cheapest standard fare.

But this week, that flight is on sale, so that I'm now only getting 0.5 cents a point on the points expended relative to the new price - ouch

If it's a classic award you could cancel (-5k points) and rebook for cash?

I'm wondering if I may have made a mistake too. I found a hotel in central Tokyo - four stars, 21 sq meter room, free breakfast and next to the subway - for $200 a night. Best deal I could find there. Only problem is - as I found out later - it is currently under construction.

Would you mind sharing the hotel name? I'm looking for a night of accommodation in Tokyo early next year and might check this out.

The Japanese are pretty good at meeting deadlines so I wouldn't be too concerned. If your reservation is very close to the scheduled opening date, maybe reserve a room with free cancellation at another hotel so you have a plan B?

 

[Renato1]

If it's a classic award you could cancel (-5k points) and rebook for cash?

Would you mind sharing the hotel name? I'm looking for a night of accommodation in Tokyo early next year and might check this out.

The Japanese are pretty good at meeting deadlines so I wouldn't be too concerned. If your reservation is very close to the scheduled opening date, maybe reserve a room with free cancellation at another hotel so you have a plan B?

Thanks for that.
I'll have to check what happens with the taxes and charges I paid - an instant credit, or a refund some time down the track.

The hotel is on Booking.com
Hotel Keihan Tsukiji Ginza Grande
104-0045 Tokyo Prefecture
Chuo-ku Tsukiji 3-5-4

Cheers,
Renato

 

[Solid]

Thanks for that.
I'll have to check what happens with the taxes and charges I paid - an instant credit, or a refund some time down the track.

The taxes and charges on QF get refunded to the credit card used, it usually takes a couple of weeks.

There is also a known glitch in the system (or was when I last cancelled a classic) where if it is a booking for 2 you get refunded one ticket only and have to chase up Qantas again. That took another few weeks.

 

[serfty]

It's 6K points to cancel these days & the $+++ gets fully refunded; aside from the multi PAX glitch, this can generally take between 36 hours and 36 days...

 

[Renato1]

The taxes and charges on QF get refunded to the credit card used, it usually takes a couple of weeks.

There is also a known glitch in the system (or was when I last cancelled a classic) where if it is a booking for 2 you get refunded one ticket only and have to chase up Qantas again. That took another few weeks.

Thanks - I shall keep an eye on the fare refund.
They have already refunded me the points less the cancellation fee points.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Buzzard]

Sort of travel mistake.
I arranged for my mobile mechanic to come to my place this morning and service my car. Only problem is that when you fly out of SIN on Wednesday night, you only get into ADL on Thursday.
Poor chap arrived only to find nobody home. Oops.

 

[VPS]

Sort of travel mistake.
I arranged for my mobile mechanic to come to my place this morning and service my car. Only problem is that when you fly out of SIN on Wednesday night, you only get into ADL on Thursday.
Poor chap arrived only to find nobody home. Oops.

Good thing he got a referral from you last week then