This premium economy felt more economy than premium

Paper aeroplane

With the volatile situation in the Middle East, we sadly decided not to use our preferred carrier Emirates, and give Cathay Pacific a go via Hong Kong to Europe. We had recently flown premium economy with Emirates, and it was well worth the extra expense. Cathay Pacific’s version of premium economy felt no different to regular economy. There were no separate toilet facilities with those in the economy section the only ones on offer, and quite a long way back in the aircraft. The flight got off to a bad start when drinks service was a “glass” of wine in a cardboard takeaway cup; this continued all through every meal service to Paris. The cabin crew offered no alternative when we asked.
Greg Vale, Kiama, NSW

Talking Turkey

I recently flew business class with Turkish Airlines between Istanbul and Sydney with a defective seat and screen, which should not have been sold. I had my seat changed at the last minute, without explanation, a problem exacerbated by language difficulties. My new seat was a faulty, non-reclining one and there was apparently no other one available. The discomfort meant my health suffered, too, as I’m elderly and only fly long-haul on lie-flat seats. The Turkish Airlines crew advised I’d be compensated but didn’t stipulate how. Claiming compensation proved difficult using the airline’s online feedback. It was also difficult to make direct contact with customer service. I was finally offered a discount for a future booking, but was refused other compensation, such as a refund.
Rob Darl, New Farm, Qld

Letter of the week: Higher calling

In response to Brian Johnston’s story on travel obsessions, on my recent trip to Montenegro the cable-car ride in Kotor was 1350 metres high with a roller coaster at the top of the mountain and a splendid view below. During a previous visit to Sapa, Vietnam, a cable car took us to the Buddhist prayer and spiritual complex at the summit of the 3147-metre Mount Fansipan for an incredible outlook. However, being at the top of the Eiffel Tower and seeing Paris below during the Olympics surpassed all else. The passion for experiencing surprises from the top is a life’s-best memento box for this solo senior traveller.
Iwona Liberte, Malvern, Vic

Weighty matter

I’d like to argue that Brian Johnston’s disdain for carry-on luggage in his recent story does not apply to legitimate weights of seven to eight kilograms. We only took carry-on luggage for our last 21 overseas trips which ranged from two to four weeks and even travelled above the Arctic Circle four times. Using packing cubes for clothes, one extra pair of shoes and any toiletries in travel containers was enough for our needs. I’m only 155 centimetres tall and can put my bag into an overhead locker easily.
Judi Rosevear, Wantirna, Vic

Right royal

In relation to your story by Brian Johnston on travel obsessions, it was a pub meal in Murrurundi, NSW, that led to our own consuming passion. After learning that “Royal Hotel” is the most common pub name in Australia, we decided we’d try to visit each one. Some are now closed, others demolished, but with a bit of research our list comprises an impressive 255 locations. Each visit is recorded with photos and whether we enjoyed a cold drink, a counter meal or an interesting chat with the publican, and so far, we’ve ticked off 136 locations, with Thursday Island the most challenging to reach. There’s a bonus too, as our obsession takes us to towns we’ve never heard of.
Roxanne Le Blanc, Croydon Vic

Space invaders

I am sick of people giving hints to travellers about how to get around airline hand-luggage rules. People are just trying to get away with not paying for more expensive fares or not waiting at the carousel. Those of us who follow the rules often find we are the ones who can’t fit our hand luggage in the overhead locker. I was on a flight from Dubrovnik to Vienna with Austrian Airlines when I found no room for my hand luggage. I asked the crew for help and the flight attendant advised that I just had to put it under my feet for the flight. I did so, and it was very uncomfortable, though fortunately, it was not a long flight. I took photos and sent them to the airline when I got home, but there was no real response of any satisfaction. Next time I’ll ask who has the big case taking up all the space and ask them to put it under their feet.
Glenda Nicholson, Nunawading, Vic

Bad sign

At Narita Airport, I was surprised to see Qantas staff holding handwritten placards offering last-minute paid business-class upgrades reminiscent of a bazaar. Having already paid for an economy fare, I was approached and offered the final business-class seat to Brisbane for an additional $2500. While airlines understandably monetise unsold premium seats, the overt “upgrade hawking” felt oddly inconsistent with the polished image Qantas projects. By contrast, Philippine Airlines offered me upgrade bids discreetly online before departure. Are modern full-service airlines becoming increasingly transactional at the gate?
Joseph Ting, Carina, Qld

Road warrior

I refer to a letter entitled “Don’t look down” (Traveller Letters, June 20) describing a drive made down the Pacific Coast Highway in California. It is one of the most fascinating drives to be enjoyed in the US. I once spent seven weeks on the West Coast of the US driving from Seattle to San Diego, spending a whole day driving from San Francisco across to the coast and picking up the coastal highway. I turned off just past the Hearst Castle inland to Bakersfield then down into East Los Angeles. One experience I won’t forget is pulling into a layby to take some photos, getting out of the car and standing under a good old Aussie eucalypt tree, all with the aroma of home. It was a great experience, never to be forgotten. Incidentally, you can have a similar challenging experience driving “on the edge” – that is the outside lane all the way – on the Great Ocean Road from Lorne to Apollo Bay in Victoria.
James Wilson, Knoxfield, Vic

Jest for the record

Next time I travel I’ll take my cue from Lee Tulloch’s column about airport queues. However, I just hope I do not have a clown seated to the left of me and a joker to right.
Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook, NSW

Tip of the week: Planning principles

A self-guided fortnight through Japan’s Izu and Kii peninsulas proves the country rewards those who do their homework. We pre-booked ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), researched local bus and train timetables, and unlocked dramatic volcanic coastlines, turquoise bays, ancient cedar forests and sacred pilgrimage trails that most visitors never reach. The standout moments? Dogashima’s lava-carved cliffs, a cave onsen with waves crashing outside, Nachi Falls, and walking the Kumano Kodo to Hongu Taisha. Even a typhoon couldn’t derail us. Japan’s local transport network is superb. Trust it, plan ahead, and let the landscape lead you.
Michelle Stankiewicz, Pymble, NSW

Turn off the tap

In beautiful Taiwan, we tapped and paid using our Google Wallet (similar to Apple Wallet), with our Commonwealth Bank (CBA) travel money card, its CBA phone banking app and a Bitdefender mobile security app providing anti scam/spam/virus protection. We also carried some Taiwanese currency in cash. Each morning, we loaded the card with just enough money for the day and each evening checked the expenditure using the banking app. We used fingerprint recognition (far safer than a PIN) to securely open our device before using the Google Wallet. It was pre-installed on our Samsung devices (like some banking apps, it may not install/work on old devices with out-of-date operating systems) Our device’s software was updated every two to three weeks on holiday (via our hotel Wi-Fi), for the latest Google Wallet and phone banking app security updates. Google Wallet also stored our boarding cards, tickets, reservations etc. It was much safer and faster than tapping with our cards (which can be more tap and pray, than just tap and pay).
Tony Danino, Wheelers Hill, Vic

Way out west

My wife and I have recently returned from two weeks in central and western Queensland. So many wonderful things to see and do. Winton has amazing dinosaur related attractions, the Waltzing Matilda Centre and three historic pubs. Longreach is well known for the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Qantas Founders Museum, the School of Distance Education and outback experiences such as sunset cruises along the Thomson River. Further east, we found interesting towns including Barcaldine with its Australian Workers Heritage Centre. Gem fossickers are catered for at Sapphire and Rubyvale while, south of Emerald, Carnarvon Gorge has spectacular scenery and stunning walks. Now is definitely the time to visit as the area’s tourist industry has suffered badly with many potential visitors cancelling due to fuel price and availability concerns. We found fuel was plentiful and prices ranged from $1.80 a litre for unleaded at Emerald to $2.20 at Winton. To avoid a long drive from the southern states you can fly into Emerald or Longreach and hire a car. So, visit now while there are no crowds at the major attractions and give a boost to the struggling tourist economy of central Queensland.
Geoff Adams, Mosman, NSW

Riviera revelry

We have experienced stays in Monaco in two different ways. The first was at the huge Monte Carlo Bay Resort at Larvotto. Our days were spent at the magnificent indoor and outdoor pools, hot tub and jacuzzi, followed by strolls around the area and then the bus to town for dinner. The second was at the boutique Port Palace hotel, on Port Hercule Harbour, overlooking the yachts and the Prince’s Palace. Every morning we strolled to Casino Square for breakfast at Cafe de Paris where we indulged in pastries and fruit salad. We visited the Palace for the Princess Grace exhibition and walked around the neighbourhoods. At night, we dined at wonderful restaurants, followed by drinks and snacks and a jazz band at the American Bar in the lobby of the Hotel de Paris.
Rhoda Silber, Manly, NSW

Friendly advice

If you have some friends coming from overseas I suggest that you ask them to hold off on getting an eSIM online from their home country and wait until they get to Australia and visit a Telstra shop (with their passport). There you can get a 30-day Telstra eSIM with 80GB of data for $15, and in our friends’ case, the assistant in the shop did the installation. With Telstra you will have the best coverage, especially if you are travelling to our more remote areas. Having travelled from Perth to Broome last year, their coverage was by far the best. (By way of contrast, I pay $54 a month for 5GB with Telstra.)
Peter Roberts, North Melbourne, Vic

Sky news

Yes, I have been extremely fortunate to see the rare and beautiful Northern Lights and also see the midnight sun almost set and rise again, both in Norway. For me, the local rare and beautiful sight is the changing colour on Uluru as the sun sets. It slowly goes from its daily shades of brown through a range of magical colours until it is a dark shape against the starry sky.
Marjie Williamson, Blaxland, NSW

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