jland

4 minutes ago, cruiser3775 said:

Entirely subjective and I haven't actually used the card I chose overseas yet. However, I read the T & Cs for both cards after they were recommended here, and on the Canstar comparison site. I thought both would do the job, but I chose the UP card, mainly because I preferred Bendigo Bank over NAB.  The big 4 banks don't deserve much loyalty after what the Royal commission found out.

This was the reason we chose UP. We had a Citibank card which was transferred to NAB but didn’t want the hassle of a big 4 bank. Have been very impressed so far (1 year with them). When I send money to UK it arrives instantly at Wise conversion rates. So far so very good.

5 hours ago, cruiser3775 said:

The Wise card is linked to Visa. In general, most places accept Visa or Mastercard linked cards. So if your hotel states they accept Visa/Mastercard, it should be OK.

 

The main thing with credit and debit card use overseas is to make sure you notify them in advance that you will be going overseas. Otherwise, if they suddenly see new charges in a foreign country, they may think it is fraudulent and put a stop on the card.

 

As for getting a credit card when you are retired, there are some cards you can apply for, and a couple of them offer "No foreign exchange fees".  They are mostly very simple no frills cards with a low credit limit, but they will be handy when overseas, saving you carrying much cash. Applying for them does involve a bit of time and effort however.

Here's a recent article with a list:

https://www.finder.com.au/credit-cards/credit-cards-for-retired-and-pensioner-applicants

Scroll down to page 2 to see the ones with no foreign exchange charges.

Upbank state on their app there is no requirement to inform them when travelling overseas. We have never notified them and never had a problem. 
 

Wise is not attached to any Australian bank therefore your money is not FCS protected. When doing my research Upbank, part of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, came with good recommendations. When transferring funds Upbank use Wise therefore the rates are very good. I have used them for a year, very impressed so far. Money transfers are instant. A very small cherry on top, every now and then if I purchase a coffee Upbank pay for it. I never have very much money on the card unless I am purchasing from overseas or transferring funds.

Just to clarify. We didn’t want to book an aisle seat and a window seat in the hope the middle seat would remain empty. He just prefers a window seat to watch take off and landing etc. I like an aisle seat for easy access. Just personal preference, nothing selfish. As I said before we will wait for the 80 hour window and see what happens then. Thanks to all who replied.

12 hours ago, icat2000 said:

What about booking two aisle seats opposite each other? 

That’s what we finally booked but husband wanted a window seat. We will see what happens in the 80 hour period. Thanks for your help.

2 hours ago, icat2000 said:

Maybe cause your linked in booking so the system thinks you need to sit together. Is it possible to contact the organisation you booked the package to see if they can select your seats.

When I tried to book an aisle and window seat a message came up with a couple cannot leave a middle seat between them. I have never seen that before but will try your suggestions, thanks

2 minutes ago, icat2000 said:

How come. When I booked with Air NZ for my cruise in January 2024 I could pick my seats at the time I booked. 

We didn’t book the flight it was part of a package. When we received the flight number etc I immediately tried to book, at the cost of $10 each, an isle and window seat but as a couple it was not allow. First time I have had a problem doing that.

1 minute ago, icat2000 said:

https://www.seatguru.com/ or best is to log onto the airline that your booked and have a look at the available seating to choose from. 

icat2000, that is the problem, most of the seats are unavailable. We have ended up at the back of the plane which I really dislike. I not sure the plane is actually that full .

51 minutes ago, buchhalm said:

Quick tip.

If you are flying in cattle class, and won't be bothered by reclining seats, the rows TWO  behind an exit row are good. For example.  Row 22 is an exit row. Row 23 won't recline. Row 24 is good. If can recline, but won't be bothered by recliners in front.

Works on nearly every aircraft 

Thanks, what a great tip! Have you anymore travel tips?

2 hours ago, Cbtours said:

I even use the 80 hrs out to move from our chosen seat to row 4 right behind business on our domestic flights! I get it 9 times out of 10! I just want to be at the pointy end always 😁

With Air New Zealand we had to pay for our seats. Do you know if they will still allow us to change seats 80 hours out? Thanks

1 hour ago, Cbtours said:

Beat me to it! I have found the 80 hr window pretty accurate and use every flight we go on (I think I previously posted ages ago I was terrified of flying, which has now been conquered, so much I started counting flights when I married Frank 16 years ago this year. In first two years I counted 250 flights so stopped counting. I would be up to 500 at least now.)

Cbtours, I think I was your post from way back I was trying to find, without success. Thanks for replying, I appreciate it.

27 minutes ago, Aussieflyer said:

ExpertFlyer shows the loadings under Seat Map:https://www.expertflyer.com

 

You can sign up for a free account which gives a limited number of searches.

 

The 80 hours is a moveable feast - sometimes it is earlier, sometimes later. It is when the seats which are blocked for higher level status holders are opened up to all.

 

Thanks Aussieflyer, just what I was looking for. I should have known with a user name like yours you would know the answer!

Does anyone know if it is possible to see a live seating plan on aircraft? Mr Google is not helping me but I am sure some one on here posted such a site. I think they also mentioned checking 80 hours before the flight leaves to see newly released seats. I have tried checking on previous pages but cannot find the post I am looking for. Air New Zealand will not allow me to book a window seat and an aisle seat as we are a couple. Do other airlines have this rule? I have not come across it before. Thanks for any help.

On 1/24/2024 at 6:29 PM, challis said:

Celebrity edge does it again...qld cruise from  Sydney  25 Feb.gtd verandah for 11 nights. Only $1380 from  online agents. Excellent value. Very  tempting to go  again, and again...ha ha.thats $125 night, I'm paying  $195 night. Going qld tomorrow 

I tried to find this bargain yesterday but couldn’t see those prices anywhere. Did anyone have any luck?

11 hours ago, Bubbeh said:

'Nuff said. 🤮

Can we please not mention politics of this site. There are many forums for those remarks. Can we please stick to cruise comments.

12 hours ago, yarramar said:

I have had the same experience with them a number of times. Their service is the best I have seen anywhere.

We have had the same experience with them over a number of years. I am always telling the guy we deal with he is needed in Australia. His reply is he has been told that many times by his overseas clients. Tremendous service, great prices.

2 hours ago, cruiser3775 said:

I wouldn't take Sky News as a reliable source, but it is also being reported elsewhere. This is from The Australian newspaper today:

"On Monday, the NSW government announced it had formally signed paperwork that removed the rules from the Eastern Seaboard and Western Australian Cruise Protocols, which also covers travellers embarking from Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.

Mr Minns said it was time to “get life back to normal”.

I wouldn’t take any news outlet as a reliable source these days. It was only because Premier Minns was quoted that I posted the news.

31 minutes ago, Belmont Babe said:

Well, I HAD to check that.

Up until 4 days ago, New Zealand did too, but latest from https://covid19.govt.nz/international-travel/ "Travellers and crew do not need pre-departure tests or proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter New Zealand. Check with your airline or cruise provider as they may still require proof of vaccination."

So, there you go!

Belmont Babe, I did check before I posted Australia was the only country with covid rules for cruising but if you know others I will stand corrected. 

33 minutes ago, johnkylie said:

About time I think

Yes way over due. Australia was the only country in the world continuing with covid rules on cruise ships.

Sky news reporting NSW premier has signed off on scraping covid rules on cruise ships. 
 

Greg, the information you have is correct. There was an article in the travel section of our newspaper re this topic a few weeks ago. It is not the Australian government causing this problem but state bureaucracy. The article also stated cruise lines are as frustrated by this situation as many passengers are. Australians can cruise all over the world but not here, it is madness.

23 minutes ago, arxcards said:

As for the current/future status? Carnival and P&O have communicated to those with current bookings that the current arrangements for vaccination & pre-cruise testing are remaining in place until the end of August (at least). For me, that info came from a Carnival email a bit over a month ago, relating to a Splendor cruise in late July which we have since cancelled.

 

Prior to the end of August, the cruise lines will know if the requirements are going to be continued or dropped. As far as I know, there has been no decision made yet.

Thank you so much for your reply. Australia is one of the few remaining countries continuing with this policy as you know. Madness in my opinion. 

On 6/3/2023 at 10:25 AM, arxcards said:

It is pretty rare to see cruise prices drop much over the summer school holidays, and especially Christmas and New Years. Considering those cruises have been available for a year already, there would normally only be scraps left by now, but more availability this summer sort of confirms why Princess and Royal are both dropping a ship the following summer.

 

A single decision of dropping a vaccine requirement to cruise, as it already is overseas, will see any remaining cabins sold out within days. The next call about vaxx requirements and pre-cruise testing will be due in late July, so I wouldn't be inclined to wait for a Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal.

 

On our first cruise as a family (Princess), we were concerned that our 13 year old would find it all a bit ho-ho in the teen club. To the contrary, she had a ball and is still in touch with a few friends she made all those years ago. 

Arxcards, could I ask where you find the information re vaxx requirements and pre cruise testing? Thank you in advance.

AllClear travel insurance is an off shoot of insure and go. They share the same office building. We claimed from them whilst on a cruise ship but before covid. AllClear are a lifeline for us, without them we could not travel, no other company will consider my husband with his many ailments.

We have used AllClear for many years due to my husbands many pre existing ailments. They are the go to company for major illness cover. Yes they are expensive but at least they will cover almost all major ailments and age groups. We have claimed from them and although they were very thorough, they did pay us promptly.