Made any travel mistakes lately?

[henrus]

I haven't been through the process myself but I thought I had read ALL Plus China wasn't a particularly easy process?

It’s got better, you need to download and use WeChat to scan the Accor code, after that you can login using normal Accor username/password and purchase.

 

[Seat0B]

It sounds like you are chasing status points not nights? If the latter Platinum can be gained/retained quite easily through Accor plus and all plus China.

Thanks @henrus - it looks like the ALL Plus China would need stays in China which are not in my current plans.

 

[kileskus]

Realised at boarding gate on return to Australia that I don't have my Australian passport. Checked in online with memorised passport number so the physical copy could be anywhere in the world as I've been travelling around three continents on my other passport.

Not a big deal but I've got 10+ hrs ahead of ruminating about the bureaucratic welcome home.

Drinks trolley has come thankfully, and they have some good Canadian whiskey.

 

[Seat0B]

Realised at boarding gate on return to Australia that I don't have my Australian passport. Checked in online with memorised passport number so the physical copy could be anywhere in the world as I've been travelling around three continents on my other passport.

Not a big deal but I've got 10+ hrs ahead of ruminating about the bureaucratic welcome home.

Drinks trolley has come thankfully, and they have some good Canadian whiskey.

Let us know what happens on arrival please @kileskus. You seem very calm about this. I would be rather stressed.

 

[RooFlyer]

@kileskus - have you cancelled the passport?

@Seat0B (you likely know this ...) if you have to lose your passport anywhere, coming back to Oz is the best place to do it. Passports are merely an identifying document. A citizen cannot be refused entry - its just a matter of sitting down with those nice border people and proving who you are!

 

[SBD]

@kileskus - have you cancelled the passport?

@Seat0B (you likely know this ...) if you have to lose your passport anywhere, coming back to Oz is the best place to do it. Passports are merely an identifying document. A citizen cannot be refused entry - its just a matter of sitting down with those nice border people and proving who you are!

I haven't traveled very widely but I'm surprised you could board easily without at least flashing a physical passport at somebody, even if just for an ID match with the boarding pass (electronic or paper). Out of interest @kileskus what ID did you show at the point of departure? Hope it goes smoothly on arrival... SBD

 

[sudoer]

I'm surprised you could board easily without at least flashing a physical passport at somebody, even if just for an ID match with the boarding pass (electronic or paper).

I initially thought the same but they mention having a second passport so presumably they used this.

The gate check doesn't verify the passport used for check-in is the same doc presented.

 

[henrus]

Let us know what happens on arrival please @kileskus. You seem very calm about this. I would be rather stressed.

It’s a rather normal process made even easier if you have an Australian drivers license on you. You’ll find that if there aren’t many around you’ll be through without much delay (they know you’re coming).

Every airline can uplift passengers back to Australia without a passport (provided they call the special number and get approval to do so) but you’ll find that many won’t (for example EK more hesitant than QF pending issues of flights that stop somewhere like QF2).

 

[kileskus]

Yes, it was just proving my citizenship and a slap on the wrist. The stamps are probably the biggest loss - but can always visit those countries again. Note to self: bring driver's license and Medicare card on future trips overseas.

Another dual CAN-AUS citizen friend of mine has a sketchy track record with her Australian passports (has a reduced validity limit now due to multiple losses, and once came home with an emergency passport and jetted off again with it without applying for a proper passport...). She relayed to me advice she's received at one consulate that some airlines can deny boarding as technically they have a duty to ensure correct immigration documents are in place. However, if you get there early and explain what happened, and they call the relevant authorities (for example, in Canada the border authority deals with foreign passports that are found) and you show some proof of Australian citizenship, they will sometimes let you through. Qantas are fairly lenient, while Air Canada reportedly has denied [return to Australia] in the past. Problems arise if you transit through the US.

There was an article recently published on attitudes towards flag carriers. This is one of the reasons your own flag carrier comes in handy I guess. I didn't have any issues at the gate, but had there been issues with check-in or boarding at least I was flying QF.

My friend also says you can't just get an Australian ETA on a foreign passport and return like that (though I don't know if this is a 'well you shouldn't' or a technically can't).

 

[Flashback]

Yes, it was just proving my citizenship and a slap on the wrist. The stamps are probably the biggest loss - but can always visit those countries again. Note to self: bring driver's license and Medicare card on future trips overseas.

Another dual CAN-AUS citizen friend of mine has a sketchy track record with her Australian passports (has a reduced validity limit now due to multiple losses, and once came home with an emergency passport and jetted off again with it without applying for a proper passport...). She relayed to me advice she's received at one consulate that some airlines can deny boarding as technically they have a duty to ensure correct immigration documents are in place. However, if you get there early and explain what happened, and they call the relevant authorities (for example, in Canada the border authority deals with foreign passports that are found) and you show some proof of Australian citizenship, they will sometimes let you through. Qantas are fairly lenient, while Air Canada reportedly has denied [return to Australia] in the past. Problems arise if you transit through the US.

There was an article recently published on attitudes towards flag carriers. This is one of the reasons your own flag carrier comes in handy I guess. I didn't have any issues at the gate, but had there been issues with check-in or boarding at least I was flying QF.

My friend also says you can't just get an Australian ETA on a foreign passport and return like that (though I don't know if this is a 'well you shouldn't' or a technically can't).

Technically / legally can't.

 

[luxury-lizard]

@kileskus - if you bring too many additional pieces of ID with you when travelling you can lose the lot. It happened to me a few years ago in Croatia when the safe in the holiday apartment I was staying in was stolen (yes - the whole safe - ripped out of the cupboard) - so I lost both my CAN and AUS passports, driver's license, credit cards, cash, jewellery, car keys (car was still at home, haha ....) I was able to get an emergency passport without any ID as I had a photo of my passport on my phone. On returning to OZ - getting a new passport was tricky as I had no identification (temporary passport did not count as ID)- fortunately I had left my Medicare card at home and just as I arrived home my DL expired so I could renew it online and once I received the new one I had sufficient ID to apply for a new passport. (Lot of lessons learned in this event - mainly don't leave all your valuables in one place, no matter how secure you think it is, and don't bring anything you don't need when travelling and NO jewellery unless you are wearing it all times).

 

[sudoer]

just as I arrived home my DL expired so I could renew it online and once I received the new one I had sufficient ID to apply for a new passport.

I don't know if all states provide this option, but NSW DL renewals now include tickbox to order a "Photo Card" for minimal additional cost - from memory about $5.

Highly recommend it for these sorts of backup situations, or if providing ID to less reputable organisations, or even a boozy night out!

 

[JohnK]

Not a travel mistake but I had day trip to Sydney 2 days ago and I've lost my Driver's licence. (First time ever)

- Use licence as ID at BNE Virgin Priority check-in
- Hire car at Mascot Simba office

Put licence back in phone leather wallet where I've stored it since using a phone wallet a few years ago.

In VA lounge I was sitting in the low chairs near bar and dropped phone. I notice that drivers licence is missed. I checked everywhere.

I'd actually dropped phone 4-5 times that day but that's another story. Visit dad in hospital, home with mum/brother, went to CBA branch in mall, back to Simba and then airport. Didn't use licence again.

I think I can order drivers licence online. Will they deliver to Sydney address or can I ask for delivery to Brisbane. Brother can send to Brisbane anyway.

* Starting to get very forgetful and more clumsy by the day *

 

[Franky]

Not a travel mistake but I had day trip to Sydney 2 days ago and I've lost my Driver's licence. (First time ever)

- Use licence as ID at BNE Virgin Priority check-in
- Hire car at Mascot Simba office

Put licence back in phone leather wallet where I've stored it since using a phone wallet a few years ago.

In VA lounge I was sitting in the low chairs near bar and dropped phone. I notice that drivers licence is missed. I checked everywhere.

I'd actually dropped phone 4-5 times that day but that's another story. Visit dad in hospital, home with mum/brother, went to CBA branch in mall, back to Simba and then airport. Didn't use licence again.

I think I can order drivers licence online. Will they deliver to Sydney address or can I ask for delivery to Brisbane. Brother can send to Brisbane anyway.

* Starting to get very forgetful and more clumsy by the day *

Tell me about it - it's called the 'ageing process!!!'

 

[jastel]

Not MY mistake but it seems the hotel didnt attach my hire cars rego to the booking.
The Parking Lot Police gave me a 100pound fine for staying in a 99pound hotel!

Then Hertz kindly paid it for me and added on a 42 pound "admin" fee which means I cant appeal it.

I have fired off a cranky email saying why the hell would I sleep 16 hours in a coughpy little vauxhall car with my 80 year old mother, parked outside a hotel, instead of INSIDE the hotel I have already paid for???

To top it off the car park was not even remotely full.

 

[Flashback]

Not MY mistake but it seems the hotel didnt attach my hire cars rego to the booking.
The Parking Lot Police gave me a 100pound fine for staying in a 99pound hotel!

Then Hertz kindly paid it for me and added on a 42 pound "admin" fee which means I cant appeal it.

I have fired off a cranky email saying why the hell would I sleep 16 hours in a coughpy little vauxhall car with my 80 year old mother, parked outside a hotel, instead of INSIDE the hotel I have already paid for???

To top it off the car park was not even remotely full.

Welcome to the UK, where parking charges are everywhere.

 

[VPS]

Not MY mistake but it seems the hotel didnt attach my hire cars rego to the booking.
The Parking Lot Police gave me a 100pound fine for staying in a 99pound hotel!

Then Hertz kindly paid it for me and added on a 42 pound "admin" fee which means I cant appeal it.

I have fired off a cranky email saying why the hell would I sleep 16 hours in a coughpy little vauxhall car with my 80 year old mother, parked outside a hotel, instead of INSIDE the hotel I have already paid for???

To top it off the car park was not even remotely full.

Is there any way to get the money back from the hire car company

 

[jastel]

I only sent it off today...
Hertz happy they got money
Parking happing they got money
Hotel happy they got money
Cant see any one of them bothering to upset the system....

 

[Flashback]

I only sent it off today...
Hertz happy they got money
Parking happing they got money
Hotel happy they got money
Cant see any one of them bothering to upset the system....

The hotel doesn't get any money, it goes all to the parking firm just FYI.

 

[jastel]

I paid for the Hotel, they got money...but not from the fine.
My point was why would I sleep in the car when I paid for the hotel.