Latest news with #DocHoliday
Courier-Mail
26-06-2025
- Courier-Mail
The best Travel Money cards in 2025
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions. For many years I have used CommBank Travel Money card without any problems, but I'm thinking better options may be available. Can you recommend any alternatives? I receive a lot of emails about travel money cards, so it's probably best if I start by addressing some of their key pros and cons. Avoiding exchange rate fluctuations during your travels is a major benefit, since you effectively 'lock in' your money before you depart Australia (helpful when the Aussie dollar is falling faster than the Ozempic supply). X SUBSCRIBER ONLY Depending on the card you choose, you can have easy access to multiple currencies on the same card and you don't have to risk using a card that's linked to your Australian bank account while you're travelling overseas. It also means you avoid multiple currency conversion fees and you don't have to carry large amounts of cash. Of course, the disadvantages of travel money cards are nothing to sniff at. Some merchants may not accept travel money cards, or the currency of the country you're visiting may not be supported. There are plenty of fees associated with using a travel money card (everything from opening and reloading the card to ATM withdrawals and cashing out the balance of the card), lengthy load times where you will not have access to your cash, and limits on pre-authorisations. Comparison sites such as Canstar look at the pros and cons of using a travel money card compared with credit and debit cards and I'd urge every reader intent on travelling overseas to read through their options. Some merchants may not accept travel money cards, or the currency of the country you're visiting may not be supported. For your specific situation, I will say that Choice, too, compared travel money cards recently and found the CommBank Travel Money Card is one of the better options, particularly since it only charges users in one instance ($3.50 for ATM withdrawals overseas). If you were to compare this product with any other, I'd recommend looking at the Wise Travel Card, which lets you hold, spend in and convert 40 currencies – significantly more than the 16 currencies your current card holds. One thing to watch here, however, is that while free ATM withdrawals are advertised, it's only up to $350 a month, before you start attracting charges. You may also wish to look at Revolut Travel Card, which holds 30-plus currencies and remains a popular choice. Airlines such as Qantas are working with banks to find a solution. We booked our family holiday and found we were charged twice by the airline, with the second amount (later cancelled) showing as a 'pending charge', which caused our account to be overdrawn. How common is this practice? I've had this happen to me and it's incredibly frustrating (not to mention anxiety-inducing). Having had a chat with various airlines about 'the double dip', it seems that they're just as frustrated by what is a banking issue that is largely out of their control. Essentially, this happens when the authorisation doesn't drop off at the time of the payment being captured. Airlines such as Qantas are working with banks to find a solution, but in the meantime, it's a good idea to keep an eye on your account balance any time you book a holiday and to contact your bank immediately should you notice an authorisation set to cause financial chaos. You can explain the situation to your bank and ask them to remove it immediately. While banks have varying policies regarding how they go about this, and whether they'll need clarification from the travel provider, you should be able to get this sorted fairly easily. I find pleasantries and a cheerful manner go a long way to getting what you want. Good luck! I arrived in Mongolia a carnivore yet swiftly became a born-again vegetarian. I'm interested in a tour to Mongolia. Would you recommend it for vegetarians? I arrived in Mongolia a carnivore yet swiftly became a born-again vegetarian for the duration of my trip (it turns out that boiled and fried sheep tail is not for everyone) so yes, it can be done. I did it on the fly, popping into supermarkets in Ulaanbaatar and stocking up on canned vegetables and noodles, but it's best to let your tour leader know when you first book that you have dietary restrictions. Where possible, they will call ahead to find vegetarian alternatives to traditional khuushuur, tsuivan and buuz at any stops you make. The one thing that will mean the difference between a digestible meal and one that might even be enjoyable? A bottle of sriracha (or any other sauce you prefer), which you can apply liberally to anything that's placed before you. Mongols might be among some of the warmest people I've encountered on my travels, but they are not known for their love of seasoning. Need help? Doc Holiday is on duty to answer your travel questions. Email docholiday@ Personal replies are unfortunately not possible. Originally published as Doc Holiday: What travel money card is best?
Daily Telegraph
26-06-2025
- Daily Telegraph
The best Travel Money cards in 2025
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions. For many years I have used CommBank Travel Money card without any problems, but I'm thinking better options may be available. Can you recommend any alternatives? I receive a lot of emails about travel money cards, so it's probably best if I start by addressing some of their key pros and cons. Avoiding exchange rate fluctuations during your travels is a major benefit, since you effectively 'lock in' your money before you depart Australia (helpful when the Aussie dollar is falling faster than the Ozempic supply). Depending on the card you choose, you can have easy access to multiple currencies on the same card and you don't have to risk using a card that's linked to your Australian bank account while you're travelling overseas. It also means you avoid multiple currency conversion fees and you don't have to carry large amounts of cash. Of course, the disadvantages of travel money cards are nothing to sniff at. Some merchants may not accept travel money cards, or the currency of the country you're visiting may not be supported. There are plenty of fees associated with using a travel money card (everything from opening and reloading the card to ATM withdrawals and cashing out the balance of the card), lengthy load times where you will not have access to your cash, and limits on pre-authorisations. Comparison sites such as Canstar look at the pros and cons of using a travel money card compared with credit and debit cards and I'd urge every reader intent on travelling overseas to read through their options. Some merchants may not accept travel money cards, or the currency of the country you're visiting may not be supported. For your specific situation, I will say that Choice, too, compared travel money cards recently and found the CommBank Travel Money Card is one of the better options, particularly since it only charges users in one instance ($3.50 for ATM withdrawals overseas). If you were to compare this product with any other, I'd recommend looking at the Wise Travel Card, which lets you hold, spend in and convert 40 currencies – significantly more than the 16 currencies your current card holds. One thing to watch here, however, is that while free ATM withdrawals are advertised, it's only up to $350 a month, before you start attracting charges. You may also wish to look at Revolut Travel Card, which holds 30-plus currencies and remains a popular choice. Airlines such as Qantas are working with banks to find a solution. We booked our family holiday and found we were charged twice by the airline, with the second amount (later cancelled) showing as a 'pending charge', which caused our account to be overdrawn. How common is this practice? I've had this happen to me and it's incredibly frustrating (not to mention anxiety-inducing). Having had a chat with various airlines about 'the double dip', it seems that they're just as frustrated by what is a banking issue that is largely out of their control. Essentially, this happens when the authorisation doesn't drop off at the time of the payment being captured. Airlines such as Qantas are working with banks to find a solution, but in the meantime, it's a good idea to keep an eye on your account balance any time you book a holiday and to contact your bank immediately should you notice an authorisation set to cause financial chaos. You can explain the situation to your bank and ask them to remove it immediately. While banks have varying policies regarding how they go about this, and whether they'll need clarification from the travel provider, you should be able to get this sorted fairly easily. I find pleasantries and a cheerful manner go a long way to getting what you want. Good luck! I arrived in Mongolia a carnivore yet swiftly became a born-again vegetarian. I'm interested in a tour to Mongolia. Would you recommend it for vegetarians? I arrived in Mongolia a carnivore yet swiftly became a born-again vegetarian for the duration of my trip (it turns out that boiled and fried sheep tail is not for everyone) so yes, it can be done. I did it on the fly, popping into supermarkets in Ulaanbaatar and stocking up on canned vegetables and noodles, but it's best to let your tour leader know when you first book that you have dietary restrictions. Where possible, they will call ahead to find vegetarian alternatives to traditional khuushuur, tsuivan and buuz at any stops you make. The one thing that will mean the difference between a digestible meal and one that might even be enjoyable? A bottle of sriracha (or any other sauce you prefer), which you can apply liberally to anything that's placed before you. Mongols might be among some of the warmest people I've encountered on my travels, but they are not known for their love of seasoning. Need help? Doc Holiday is on duty to answer your travel questions. Email docholiday@ Personal replies are unfortunately not possible. Originally published as Doc Holiday: What travel money card is best?
Daily Telegraph
12-06-2025
- Daily Telegraph
What's the best family stay in Rarotonga?
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions. Can you suggest some good family accommodation options in Rarotonga? The island doesn't seem to have any familiar chains and we're not sure what will work best for our family. One of the things I love most about the Cook Islands is how little it has changed since I first began visiting in the '90s. Unlike its South Pacific and French Polynesian neighbours which have big hotel names such as Accor, IHG and Marriott, the Cook Island locals prefer smaller, more intimate properties which lend themselves to a sense of place. Now that Jetstar has added a fifth weekly seasonal service between Sydney and Rarotonga, it's expected some 47,000 Australians will visit the Cook Islands in 2025 (up from 36,383 in 2024). That's perfect timing really, because the island's first five-star property, the Grand Resort Rarotonga is scheduled to open at the later end of this year. If you're planning to visit earlier, I recommend the Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium, which offers a wealth of activities for the whole family (and some of the island's best snorkelling). Nautilus Resort, Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa and Pacific Resort Rarotonga are also excellent options covering various price points. Would you consider staying in a self-contained bungalow? That's always my first choice when I'm in Rarotonga with my own family as it gives me the option to occasionally tap out of eating my body weight in ika mata and fish and chips three times a day, plus I enjoy having the space. I speak highly of Tuoro Holiday Villas, Are 'Rimaira Beachfront, Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments and Pacific Palms Luxury Villas, but you can also find affordable bungalows (usually with their own in-ground pool) on Airbnb, NZ Holiday Homes and My preferred spots are usually near Muri Lagoon, but the island is so small (just over 30km in circumference) that driving here and there is easy. Just be sure to get in early with a rental car if you're travelling with a larger family. My wife has dementia and gets lost easily when using public bathrooms with two-sided entrances. I have booked flights to Laos and I'm wondering if it would be permissible for me to enter the female WC to be with her? I'm 75 and my wife is 80. Unisex toilets have begun popping up in some of the destinations you mention in your email, but your best bet – where possible – is to use bathrooms in Western-style restaurants and hotels. It doesn't matter if you're not eating or staying there; people aren't heartless and it's a rare human who'll turn down your request if you explain the situation. Just be sure to have a sentence or two about your wife's condition printed in the local language on a card you can show them if you get approached. If you find yourself with no choice but to use a two-sided public toilet, you could ask a staff member (sometimes they are manned) or another English-speaking tourist to keep an eye on her (I would have no problem with someone approaching me with this request and I can't imagine I'm alone). Following your wife into a women's WC should only be your last resort but honestly, an awkward moment or two is better than the stress of having your wife go wandering. Again, remember you'll have your card handy to explain your presence. My daughter is travelling around Europe between her studies in the UK but it seems she's about to overstay her 90-day visa-free allowance in the Schengen Area. What can she do? You and your daughter have every right to be concerned. While Australians can enjoy up to 90 days of visa-free travel in the Schengen Area within any 180-day period, those who overstay may be fined, deported or banned. Depending on which countries she's planning to visit during her break, she does have a couple of options. She could travel around non-Schengen countries such as the United Kingdom, Albania, Turkey and Croatia (among others), which will let your daughter make the most of her time away while she waits for the Schengen clock to reset. However, if she's keen to stay within the Schengen Area, she could travel to countries which either have a bilateral agreement in place, allowing eligible travellers to stay for an additional 90 days within that specific country after using up their 90 days in other Schengen countries. Or, she can apply for a long-stay visa such as the Type D (also known as Long-Stay Visa) for the likes of Italy and France. There are a few caveats with these, so they may not be appropriate. That said, they are well worth looking into. Need help? Doc Holiday is on duty to answer your travel questions. Email docholiday@ Personal replies are unfortunately not possible. Originally published as Doc Holiday: What's the best family stay in Rarotonga?
Courier-Mail
12-06-2025
- Courier-Mail
What's the best family stay in Rarotonga?
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions. Can you suggest some good family accommodation options in Rarotonga? The island doesn't seem to have any familiar chains and we're not sure what will work best for our family. One of the things I love most about the Cook Islands is how little it has changed since I first began visiting in the '90s. Unlike its South Pacific and French Polynesian neighbours which have big hotel names such as Accor, IHG and Marriott, the Cook Island locals prefer smaller, more intimate properties which lend themselves to a sense of place. Now that Jetstar has added a fifth weekly seasonal service between Sydney and Rarotonga, it's expected some 47,000 Australians will visit the Cook Islands in 2025 (up from 36,383 in 2024). That's perfect timing really, because the island's first five-star property, the Grand Resort Rarotonga is scheduled to open at the later end of this year. If you're planning to visit earlier, I recommend the Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium, which offers a wealth of activities for the whole family (and some of the island's best snorkelling). Nautilus Resort, Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa and Pacific Resort Rarotonga are also excellent options covering various price points. Would you consider staying in a self-contained bungalow? That's always my first choice when I'm in Rarotonga with my own family as it gives me the option to occasionally tap out of eating my body weight in ika mata and fish and chips three times a day, plus I enjoy having the space. I speak highly of Tuoro Holiday Villas, Are 'Rimaira Beachfront, Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments and Pacific Palms Luxury Villas, but you can also find affordable bungalows (usually with their own in-ground pool) on Airbnb, NZ Holiday Homes and My preferred spots are usually near Muri Lagoon, but the island is so small (just over 30km in circumference) that driving here and there is easy. Just be sure to get in early with a rental car if you're travelling with a larger family. My wife has dementia and gets lost easily when using public bathrooms with two-sided entrances. I have booked flights to Laos and I'm wondering if it would be permissible for me to enter the female WC to be with her? I'm 75 and my wife is 80. Unisex toilets have begun popping up in some of the destinations you mention in your email, but your best bet – where possible – is to use bathrooms in Western-style restaurants and hotels. It doesn't matter if you're not eating or staying there; people aren't heartless and it's a rare human who'll turn down your request if you explain the situation. Just be sure to have a sentence or two about your wife's condition printed in the local language on a card you can show them if you get approached. If you find yourself with no choice but to use a two-sided public toilet, you could ask a staff member (sometimes they are manned) or another English-speaking tourist to keep an eye on her (I would have no problem with someone approaching me with this request and I can't imagine I'm alone). Following your wife into a women's WC should only be your last resort but honestly, an awkward moment or two is better than the stress of having your wife go wandering. Again, remember you'll have your card handy to explain your presence. My daughter is travelling around Europe between her studies in the UK but it seems she's about to overstay her 90-day visa-free allowance in the Schengen Area. What can she do? You and your daughter have every right to be concerned. While Australians can enjoy up to 90 days of visa-free travel in the Schengen Area within any 180-day period, those who overstay may be fined, deported or banned. Depending on which countries she's planning to visit during her break, she does have a couple of options. She could travel around non-Schengen countries such as the United Kingdom, Albania, Turkey and Croatia (among others), which will let your daughter make the most of her time away while she waits for the Schengen clock to reset. However, if she's keen to stay within the Schengen Area, she could travel to countries which either have a bilateral agreement in place, allowing eligible travellers to stay for an additional 90 days within that specific country after using up their 90 days in other Schengen countries. Or, she can apply for a long-stay visa such as the Type D (also known as Long-Stay Visa) for the likes of Italy and France. There are a few caveats with these, so they may not be appropriate. That said, they are well worth looking into. Need help? Doc Holiday is on duty to answer your travel questions. Email docholiday@ Personal replies are unfortunately not possible. Originally published as Doc Holiday: What's the best family stay in Rarotonga?
Daily Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Daily Telegraph
How to deal with lost luggage: Always take this photo before flying
Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions. On a recent holiday, our luggage was mistakenly sent to another city where it remained for five days, but our claim for compensation for out-of-pocket expenses has been denied by the airline. What are our options? I was quite annoyed when I read your email. There's nothing worse than 'Sorry, but there's nothing we can do' from a service provider. So annoyed, in fact, that I emailed my contacts at the airline right away to understand why your claim was denied. Long story short, it seems wires were crossed during communications between the two airlines operating the codeshare, but you'll be happy to know that the issue has now been resolved and they will be in touch this week to reimburse you for your out-of-pocket expenses. Contacting the airline in question is always the first step in situations like these, but it's helpful to remember that travellers can also make a claim for delayed luggage through their travel insurance, provided this is included in their policy. A claim can usually be made 12 hours after a bag first goes AWOL and this type of benefit (designed to cover the cost of day-to-day essentials such as toiletries and underwear) is generally excess free. Of course, you'll need to show your insurer you've first tried to resolve the issue with your airline and provide them with any relevant documentation that you've shared with the airlines. You'll also need to provide copies of the receipts for any essentials you wish to claim. If reimbursement through your insurer remains fruitless, you can take your complaint to the Airline Customer Advocate which provides a free and independent service to eligible customers of major Australian airlines by facilitating the resolution of unresolved complaints about airline services. You can also file a report with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. The ACCC will not resolve individual complaints, but the collective data from such reports informs what they investigate and what enforcement action they'll take. Yep, filling out the form is all about playing the long game. This is a timely reminder to photograph your open luggage before checking it in. You're always going to be asked for descriptions and/or proof that you own, and were travelling with, the items you are claiming (in lost baggage claims), so taking a few snaps can take a few stressful steps out of the equation. It's about an hour's drive from Rotterdam Cruise Terminal to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. I'm taking a cruise that ends in Rotterdam. Is it better for me to fly to London to get back to Sydney? I'm not young and don't want to take my luggage on a train to a more major airport to get home. No need to fly to another major airport; it's about an hour's drive from Rotterdam Cruise Terminal to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, or with a direct high-speed train from Rotterdam Central Station, it takes just over 30 minutes. I know you said 'no trains please' but it could actually be the easiest option for you because the Dutch rail operator NS International offers a variety of services for passengers with limited mobility, including luggage assistance and help boarding and disembarking. You'll just need to let them know you need help at least 24 hours before boarding the train by calling 030 235 78 22. Don't forget that your cruise line is likely to offer either a straight shuttle service to Schiphol, or a shore excursion which finishes at the airport too. Holland America, for example, has an Easy Rotterdam with Airport Transfer shore excursion you can book which will take in the city's top sights before getting you to the airport in time for your flight. Private transfers are also available to book (check out Transfeero and Suntransfers), although prices vary widely depending on the company you book with. You also have the option to spend a few days in London before making your way home. If you're keen to avoid travelling to nearby Amsterdam altogether, you can fly to London City from Rotterdam The Hague Airport where you can catch the train across to Heathrow (the Heathrow Express makes the journey in around 50 minutes, if you're pressed for time). You also have the option to spend a few days in London before making your way home. If you'd prefer to tack on a few extra days of holiday time but would prefer a somewhat cheaper destination, you could also consider flying from Rotterdam The Hague Airport to either Lisbon or Istanbul. Both cities offer plenty of sights to see at a significantly lower price point than London and flying with Qatar Airways or Turkish Airlines is always a wonderful experience. Something to think about. Need help? Doc Holiday is on duty to answer your travel questions. Email docholiday@ Personal replies are unfortunately not possible. Originally published as Doc Holiday's expert guide to dealing with lost luggage
