Qantas passenger's $6,000 ordeal after worker's 'typo' in booking system: 'Heartbroken'
Nadia Hall, 40, and her partner had spent many months planning their trip to the UK to celebrate her milestone birthday and reunite with family after decades apart.
After waiting on the standby list, the duo were overjoyed when they were allocated seats and hopped on their flight at Perth airport on May 5. However, a medical emergency forced the plane to divert to the Maldives. After hours of waiting for instructions in the airport, an email pinged on Nadia's phone.
"Eight hours after landing, we got an email saying that Qantas couldn't rebook us. There was no reason or anything, and it said that we had to call them, which we weren't able to do [without phone service in the Maldives]," the Melbourne woman told Yahoo News.
The pair frantically tried to speak to airport staff, but they simply "shrugged" and were unable to assist, with no Qantas workers in sight.
After retrieving their luggage, Nadia and her partner looked around and quickly learnt they were alone in the now-busy airport, with none of the passengers from their original flight waiting around like them.
Devastated, the couple decided they would need to simply fork out money to book flights back to Australia — with the delay meaning there was limited availability on London flights.
"We spent some time looking at different flights to London and whatnot, but because so many people had to be booked, all of a sudden, there wasn't much available," she explained. "It also would have been another day and a half or so of travelling [to get to London], and I've got a number of chronic illnesses... by the time I got there, I would have been destroyed."
Their trip home took them to Kuala Lumpur, Auckland and finally to Melbourne, with Nadia calculating she spent 65 hours awake and 34 hours in the air while doing a loop through five time zones just to arrive back home again.
After chasing Qantas, a worker allegedly confirmed on the phone that the airline had rescheduled the pair onto a trip to London. However, Nadia never received notification because her email had been incorrectly inputted into the system by a Qantas staff member.
"I don't like to throw the word traumatised around, but given what this trip actually meant to me... It was my source of joy for so long... I'm heartbroken," she said. "Something so tiny took away something so big."
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Nadia said she was $6,109 out of pocket after spending over $5,000 on return flights to Australia, and $200 on their insurance excess to claim back money they'd spent for activities in London they never got to enjoy.
The flight from Perth to London that was diverted cost the pair just over $800 — as Nadia is a previous Qantas worker and receives staff discounted travel — and she would like to claim back this cost too, given it never got them to their intended destination.
Finally, two months after setting off for the trip back in early May, Qantas confirmed to Yahoo on Friday that it will issue a full refund to Nadia following the administrative error.
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I've been to more than 35 all-inclusive resorts. Here are 10 mistakes I always see first-timers make.
I've stayed at all-inclusive resorts around the globe and seen first-timers make the same mistakes. Check out water-sport rentals and amenities at sister properties — and pack an insulated travel mug. Don't go overboard with frozen drinks or fill your plate during the first pass at a buffet. Vacationing at an all-inclusive resort is very appealing for many travelers — and with good reason. Being able to budget before you arrive and not having to worry about toting around cash or credit cards can alleviate a lot of travel headaches. As a travel writer, I've been to dozens of all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico, the Maldives, and more. During my stays, I see guests overlook many details that could make their sojourns more enjoyable. Whether you're planning your first trip to an all-inclusive resort or this is already your preferred style of vacation, here are 10 mistakes to avoid. Not every all-inclusive resort is designed equally. Some have gorgeous pools and underwhelming beaches, or vice-versa. Some cater to families with dedicated kids' and teens' clubs and activities, but others prohibit guests under 18. I've stayed at resorts that run the gamut. The point is that having everything included in and of itself isn't necessarily enough of an appeal. Think about what you're looking for in a vacation, do your research, and look beyond the slick marketing and touched-up, wide-angle photos on the resort's website. The term "all-inclusive" doesn't mean what it used to. These days, some resorts offer upgraded rooms and suites in certain areas of the property, with perks that may include butler service and dedicated lounges, restaurants, pools, or beach areas for these VIP guests. Although spending more for these amenities isn't for everyone, they can bring a sense of luxury and civility to your vacation, especially if you're staying at a crowded resort where guests are forced to set out towels before breakfast to claim lounge chairs. You may have access to a slew of restaurants at your resort, but that doesn't mean you can roll up to the host stand and automatically get a table, especially at peak dinner times. Remember, everyone wants 7:30 p.m. To avoid disappointment, book tables for the popular spots right after you check in or before you arrive, if that's an option. Keep in mind that depending on how many nights you're staying, you may be entitled to only a limited number of reservations for the à-la-carte concepts, so choose wisely. My advice is to prioritize places that serve local cuisine. After all, you can get steak or pasta just about anywhere. All-inclusive resorts are often known for over-the-top buffets any time of day, with omelet and freshly-pressed-juice stations at breakfast and salad bars, local specialties, carving stations, and all the desserts at lunch and dinner. Grabbing a plate and reaching for the serving spoons before giving the area a look-see is a rookie move that can also lead to overeating and wasting food. Before tackling a buffet, take a walk around, as options can change not only from meal to meal but daily as well. And make it a point to take a spoonful of something you've never tried. I used to roll my eyes at resort guests who'd tote their travel mugs up to the bar to be filled with their beverage of choice. I thought they were being overly indulgent and exploiting the concept of "all-inclusive" — but now I think they're on to something. For one thing, insulated tumblers keep drinks colder for much longer and reduce the number of trips to the bar. Beyond that, they're more environmentally friendly than all those single-use plastic cups. If you're bringing your Stanley and asking the bartender to fill it, though, tip them for going above and beyond. Speaking of tipping, I'm aware that some all-inclusive resorts invite guests to "leave their wallets at home." But unless the property you're staying at has a strict policy against it, small tips can go a long way. Tipping the bartender at a crowded swim-up or lobby bar when you first order, for example, can result in quicker service for your second and third rounds. If you have a fabulous server at dinner, it's a nice gesture to leave them some cash on the table. And don't forget about the housekeeping staff, who keep your room free of sand and endlessly replenish your towels. Not all drinks at all-inclusive resorts are created equally. I often suggest a stop at the lobby bar, which tends to stock top-shelf liqueur. Upgrade your piña colada by requesting it with dark or aged rum instead of white, which gives it much more flavor. If you see Aperol or Campari on the back bar, you can be sure to get a decent spritz. Craft your own low-ABV libation by asking for sauvignon blanc or rosé mixed with club soda and a dash of simple syrup, garnished with a lemon wedge. Definitely try the local beer or wine if it's available. A piña colada is decidedly delicious — I like to have one mid-morning, which I half-jokingly refer to as a "breakfast smoothie." But if you keep hitting the swim-up bar to order blended concoctions, you're probably going to end up drinking a zillion calories and getting a stomachache or killer hangover to boot. If you're on a quest to keep the buzz going, maybe switch things up a bit with a spirit mixed with soda water or a wine spritzer. Don't forget to hydrate with actual water to counter the effects of all that heat and sunshine. Some resorts are part of sprawling complexes with several adjacent properties owned and operated by the same parent company. If your stay includes reciprocity (such as a "stay at one, play at three" policy), you'll get access to other facilities, including additional pools, fitness centers, beach areas, and restaurants. Making use of them is a great way to avoid boredom and make it seem as if your vacation includes stays at multiple hotels. Although Jet Ski, hoverboard, and parasailing rentals can be pricey, your all-inclusive may allow you to borrow simpler equipment such as stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, floats, and even Hobie-Cats at no extra cost. Still, I often see them lined up on the beach all day, barely being used. Consider signing the waiver, donning a life jacket, and just trying them. If you're staying at a place where these water sports are popular, add your name to the wait list first thing in the morning. Read the original article on Business Insider
