Traveller Letters and Reader Tips: Qantas' international business lounge feels more like a dirty bus terminal

People looking for cheaper parking options at Melbourne Airport should be aware that if they book through a comparison site, such as looking4.com they will be hit with an international transaction fee on top of the parking cost. This is because the company running the site is based in the UK. A recent nine-day booking attracted an extra $3.63 on top of the $121 cost to park my car, and it was not mentioned anywhere on the booking receipt. A longer-term booking could incur a substantial additional fee that would not be apparent until they received their bank statement.

Greg Hardy, Upper Ferntree Gully, Vic

NO GO, TELCO

I am off to Europe and the UK for four months from June. I will be ditching my Australian phone number to avoid the $10 a day charged by my Telco and will use a local SIM card. My bank, CBA, has told me any Netcodes (2FA) for internet purchases will be sent to my Commbank App and not by SMS so I will not need my Australian phone number. Here's hoping the advice given is correct.

Rosie Jordan, Newport, Vic

DON'T BE DIM ON SIM

Don't bother with an overseas SIM card if you are a leisure traveller unless you are going to really remote places. Most accommodations provide reasonably reliable internet connections. Use internet-based services such as WhatsApp or FaceTime for calls and messages or if you need to call someone who isn't connected that way, use Skype to dial any number anywhere. Use international roaming for SMS so you can get your verification codes. When you connect to the corresponding local network there is also no problem in using a navigation app or making and receiving internet-based calls if your international roaming setting includes data. Even if you incur some roaming charges, the cost may be not much more than the cost of a local SIM. Just make sure before you leave that your service provider is aware that you are going overseas as you may have to top up your credit balance. Also inform friends and family (and any others who are frequent callers) that you will be overseas so that they can be contacted via an internet-based app.

Roy Randall, Rose Bay, NSW

WISE GUY

It is frustrating that more banks and credit and travel card providers don't follow the lead of the Commonwealth Bank and Wise by having the option of receiving two-factor authentication codes via their apps rather than to mobile numbers. Because the notifications go to the device rather than as an SMS to a mobile number, you can have peace of mind when using a different SIM in your phone while overseas.

Paul Fraser, Coogee, NSW

ROAD WORRIER

I read your letter of the week (Traveller Letters, February 4) concerning the tourist facilities on Victoria's Great Ocean Road with absolute horror. It has been 23 years since I visited the area and was totally aghast to hear of the situation described by your reader. I cannot believe there has been no improvement in 23 years. Is Visit Victoria asleep? Does it even exist? This is not just a state matter. National pride is involved. The Great Ocean Road is one of the wonders of the world and we need to treat visitors to it with respect and now.

Helen Knight, Wherrol Flat, NSW

TRAINS OF THOUGHT

I totally agree with Mark Smith in his cover story about the wonders of train travel in Europe (Traveller, February 11). I had a fabulous experience as a child in the 70s taking couchettes around Europe, from racing to get luggage onboard and passing each piece sibling to sibling, wandering through the train looking at all of the different passengers and waking up at night to see snow for the first time. A word of warning, though. It has changed now but, travelling from Bern to Budapest, my parents thought they had lost me when the train uncoupled the last few carriages crossing over to communist Hungary. Luckily, I was in the dining car getting snacks.

Michele Sharp, Queens Park, NSW

MOUSE TRAP

Wrong, Craig Tansley (Traveller, February 11). Anyone who has read John Steinbeck, and surely there are many of us, will be familiar with the name of San Luis Obispo, California.

Alan Whittaker, East Kew, Vic

TIP OF THE WEEK

ARCTIC OF APPROVAL

I recently returned from a Quark Arctic expedition which was delayed two years because of the pandemic. The trip was exceptional with an enthusiastic crew dedicated to our health, safety and enjoyment. There were many opportunities to see unusual wildlife (for instance, polar bears, musk ox, narwhals); to hike to the top of mountains (or just amble gently if physically limited) and to experience the geological marvels. Informative talks by knowledgeable and often humorous crew members added to the experience. Sadly, global warming is omnipresent with the booming sounds and sights of calving at the glaciers. Go now and bring back those 1000 plus photos as fabulous memories.

Hilary Johnson, Northcote, Vic

PACK MENTALITY

When we flew to Florida our bags did not arrive for some days later. The Daytona 500 was on and the airport was busy. Hence, we thought our bags were lost, but they were put on another plane coming to the same destination. I panicked a little as I'd packed some of my favourite things and had to go shopping for the essentials. I now don't pack my favourite things - I pack items that can be lost, although still I wouldn't want to lose them. I now also pack underwear, T-shirts, and PJs in my carry-on and anything else depending on where you are holidaying due to weather such as, say, swimmers. Do a list as to what to pack in your carry-on, just in case. I now call my carry-on the "JIC". One final tip is to check what festivals, car races, shows, public holidays, school holidays etc are on at and around your destination which you may want to avoid before booking.

Cheryl Lopresti, Maroubra, NSW

BORDERING ON RIDICULOUS

Your report on Geneva Airport (Traveller, February 5) omitted one of its most distinctive characteristics. It sits on the border between France and Switzerland and enables airline passengers to leave from or arrive into either country. However, despite the fact both countries are in the Schengen Area and thus border crossing is a non-event, this flexibility is not extended to other travellers. We arrived and dropped off a French hire car on the French side of the airport but were then not able to pass through it to catch a booked coach on the Swiss side, ironically from Geneva Airport to Chamonix in France. The same thing would apply to catching trains from the airport station. Our only alternative was an expensive taxi ride from one side of the airport to the other, around $70 as I remember.

Ian Mackay, Middle Park, Vic

MEMORY BANKS

Your article on Phu Quoc (Traveller, February 5) reminded me of travelling there and throughout Vietnam with my 12-year old daughter some years ago. Feasting by the sands of the stunning beach, Bai Sao, was definitely a highlight but it was the innocence of a childhood comment that often returns to me. On travelling in a crowded local bus along a riverside road lined with humble dwellings, she commented on how lucky the people were to live there by the river.

Heather Sirianni, Point Lonsdale, Vic

FLOWER POWER

Being a keen plants person, last year I immensely enjoyed two four-day wildflower trips out of Perth with Casey Tours (caseytours.com.au). The weather was perfect, we had a very knowledgeable leader, comfortable accommodation, and good company. Even the coach driver seemed to enjoy himself. Similar trips with Casey Tours are planned for next spring and I would highly recommend them, whether people are mad about wildflowers or not. I have already booked further trips for the Stirling Ranges and down to Margaret River.

Geoff Crowhurst, Thornbury, Vic

We give preference to letters of 100 words or less and they may be edited for space, legal or other reasons. Please use full sentences, don't use textspeak and don't include attachments. Email us at travellerletters@traveller.com.au and, importantly, include your name, address and phone number.

The Letter of the Week writer wins three Hardie Grant travel books. See hardiegrant.com

The Tip of the Week writer wins a set of three Lonely Planet travel books. See shop.lonelyplanet.com