Thanks for the great feedback we have received over the last few months - it seems that you enjoy reading our publication as much as we enjoy writing it! Please feel free to forward the Gazette to anyone you think may be interested.

As a result of your feedback, we have made some changes to the format of the Gazette. The Gazette should now be easier to read and to navigate around - and most importantly - the ever-popular Points Calculator has now been incorporated in the newsletter. You will be need to be connected to the internet to use the calculator.

1. TRAVEL TIPS
 

Many travellers going overseas have heard advice about whether or not to get vaccinations against diseases such as malaria, smallpox, cholera and yellow fever. A definitive source on the Web is the World Health Organization’s guidelines at http://www.who.int/ith/english/country.htm. Each country is listed, and details about how early you need to get your needles are given.

Disabled travellers may find this link useful: http://www.access-able.com/. It details access information and travel resources about accommodation, attraction, transportation, equipment rental and repairs. There is also a list of travel professionals who are experienced in trip planning for people with disabilities. Their tips are very helpful - for example: ‘Plan for guide-dog restrictions. Some countries and states such as Hawaii either do not allow guide dogs for short visits or have quarantine requirements’.

To maximise your frequent flyer points on your trip, stay in hotels that reward your frequent flyer program. Charge items, such as meals, rental car and other services, at the hotel to your room or affiliated credit card (whichever works out better), so you’ll earn even more points.

In case you lose your checked baggage, you should always have a list of everything in there, in case you have to fill out a claim form. It can, and does happen and the last thing you’ll want is to forget to claim something important.

To get the best seat in your class, first check to see what kind of aircraft is used on your flight, and ring early to make your requests - you don’t have to wait until you check in.

Frequent travellers have noted that the seats next to the wings have the smoothest ride (for those affected by airsickness), bulkhead and emergency exit row seats have more legroom but less storage space, the seats immediately in front of the exit row don’t recline, and low number seats are first off the plane.

Transfers between flights cause about 40% of lost luggage.

Frequent flyers can often have difficulty finding a comprehensive travel insurance policy which can be used for multiple trips. Buying a separate policy for each trip gets very expensive! Columbus Direct have come up with an innovative solution - their Annual Frequent Travel Policy - which allows for multiple trips over a year. And the news gets even better - frequentflyer.com.au readers get a 10% discount. Visit http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/insurance.htm to find out more. (Note that to get the discount, you will need to book your policy from this link.)

Westpac is dropping its ATM fees on transactions on machines in the USA, UK, Canada and Germany. The overseas banks involved are: Bank of America, Barclays Bank, Deutsche Bank, and Scotiabank. The changes will not affect transactions made in Australia.

Problem: You love reading the Gazette so much that you don’t want to go away because you can’t access the Internet to read it. Never fear! A list of Internet Cafes can be found here: http://cybercaptive.com/.

Some travel experts have advised that if travelling overseas, it may be best not to use e-tickets. Why? Some countries require you have a paper ticket (and passport and visas) to get into their country. Double-check before you leave.

One final tip to all readers - this newsletter isn’t affiliated with Ansett, Qantas or any airline. If you have a complaint with a specific airline, you will have much more effect if you contact their customer service departments: http://www.qantas.com.au/contacts.html (Qantas), http://www.ansett.com.au/about/c_and_c_f.htm (Ansett) or [email protected] (Virgin Blue).

2. PRESS ROUNDUP
 

Qantas Takeover of Impulse

The ACCC announced that it would not oppose the Qantas takeover of Impulse Airlines. They indicated withdrawal of support by major investors had stopped Impulse from remaining viable and said the likely failure of the airline, coupled with a lack of alternative buyers, had influenced the decision.

Proposed Qantas Takeover of Air New Zealand

Qantas has indicated intentions to takeover Air New Zealand. Qantas said that a partnership between Qantas and Air New Zealand would result in both carriers maintaining independent operations and brands. Qantas is looking to buy as much as a 49 per cent stake in Air New Zealand, including the 25 per cent now owned by Singapore Airlines.

Rifts between Star Alliance and oneworld

Thai Airways and Air New Zealand may leave the Star Alliance. Thai Airways International said it would review its membership because it had lost business after Singapore Airlines joined Star last year. Thai Airways president Bhisit Kuslasayanon told reporters they had lost almost half of their operating revenue in South-east Asia after Lufthansa had diverted some traffic to Singapore Airlines.

Air New Zealand could be hit with a USD$25 million exit fee if it breaks away from the Star Alliance to join the rival oneworld grouping. Air New Zealand customers would also be prevented from transferring their Star Points across to fly on Qantas linkups. Their flights on Air New Zealand would continue to be accrued as Star Points during the notice period. Star is the largest of the world's global airline alliances.

Pilot Illusions

CASA held a series of talks in Melbourne and Canberra to discuss sensory illusions commonly experienced by 90-100% of pilots during flight. These illusions include a general feeling of disorientation, or a sensation of tumbling or rotating when they're not - or they might have visual illusions. The talks will be taken around the country to Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns Sydney and Perth. Details can be found here: http://www.casa.gov.au/hotopics/seminars/fsf.htm.

Qantas not flying to Canada

Qantas has ceased services to Canada. Code sharing with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines still exists between L.A. and Toronto, and L.A. and Vancouver. Oneworld (Qantas’ alliance) has a new Visit North America Pass, which uses fare zones to allow you to plan your own itinerary around North America. Fares range from US$70 to US$220. All flights must be with a oneworld partner.

Ansett expands code share network

From 1 July Ansett International will expand its code-share network in co-operation with Thai Airways and Lauda Air. Ansett will code-share between Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Bangkok on Thai Airways flights with daily code-shared connections from Bangkok to London and from Bangkok to Phuket. Ansett will begin code sharing on Lauda Air services between Sydney and Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur with code-shared connections between Kuala Lumpur and Vienna.

Ansett fleet back in air

Ansett Australia returned to its normal operating schedule on May 8, following formal advice from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority that it had lifted airworthiness directive suspensions on eight of the airline's 10 B767 fleet grounded at the beginning of Easter.

Security Issues

This month we have heard reports from readers using one of the oneworld alliance’s airlines that their planes have left without them, as they have been checked through as ‘on board’. Flight attendants have explained to the travellers that when they are in a rush to get the plane off the ground they resort to this technique. Obviously this is a major security issue, and we would like to hear from other readers if this has happened to them. Please email [email protected].

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