By Kate Webster onkarryon
1) Rail Plus opens Europe trains
In a move to significantly open up seat availability on popular point-to-point European rail tickets, Rail Plus has implemented new ticketing time limits. Previously, Australian and New Zealand agents could book the range of point to point rail tickets months in advance, with payment due 28 days before travel. Changes to the payment deadlines mean all European point-to-point bookings must be paid by 2pm AEST the day after reservation is made. These changes apply to all bookings via phone, email or the web, while instant purchase fares still stand as payment immediately.
Rail passes and/or non-rail products continue to have a payment deadline of 28 days prior to the passenger’s departure ex Australia or New Zealand.
2) Loyal Aussies could help QF
Despite the current war waging between Australia’s domestic carriers Qantas andVirgin Australia, the flying kangaroo seems to still be a firm favourite. A new study from budget planning site Pocketbook revealed Qantas’ share of total airline customer spending is up three percent from September last year. Meanwhile Virgin Australia’s share dropped seven percent for the same period. Pocketbook co-founder Bosco Tan said “consumer behaviour is difficult to change, and the recent negative publicity around Qantas might have provided the marketing boost they needed to rally the Australian public.”
3) France back on Eurail Select Pass
Rail travellers in Europe will be pleased to now access France when booking the Eurail Select Pass, effective 1 April 2014. The selection of Eurail Select passes will also be simplified, with a single pass now offering unlimited travel through four adjoining European countries while the current three- and five-country passes no longer available. Rail Plus General Manager Sales & Marketing Greg McCallum commented on the return of France to the pass, as “France is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Europe, and as a result its withdrawal from the Eurail Select Pass in 2013 impacted the product’s popularity in the Australian and New Zealand markets.”
4) KE adds free excess baggage
For a limited time, Korean Airlines will allow an extra one piece of baggage, up to 23kg, on selected flights. The added luggage can be carried on one-way flights departing from Sydney or Brisbane to Korea or one-way or return flights departing from Sydney or Brisbane to China and Japan. The offer is valid on new Korean Airlines bookings only (codeshare not permitted) and tickets must be issued 09 Jan – 31 Mar 2014 for passengers departing 09 Jan – 30 Apr 2014. To request the extra bag please email Sydney: sydsm@koreanair.com or Brisbane:bnesm@koreanair.com with KE PNR, Passenger Name, Departure Date and Ticket Number.
5) ATEC welcomes review on industry penalty rates
The Federal Government’s review of penalty rates has the support of the ATEC, arguing those for the tourism industry are stifling its ability to reach its potential. ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley said “there are serious pressures on Australia’s tourism industry and our ability to compete internationally when our businesses are constrained by a costly wage structure that fails to recognise tourism’s busiest times are public holidays, after hours and weekends.” The tourism industry is disadvantaged by penalty rates as the some 280,000 businesses are 24 hour a day, seven days a week operations.
6) Mantra stretches to NSW South Coast
The Mantra Wollongong is the first Mantra Group property to feature on the NSW South Coast, as the hoteliers continue to expand their regional network. The property will be rebranded from its current Best Western Wollongong in mid-March after its acquisition by Moss Capital. Mantra Group Chief Executive Officer Bob East said the new Mantra Wollongong will provide both an excellent base for leisure travellers given its proximity to beaches and restaurants, and also to guests travelling on business or for conferences in the Illawarra.
7) Winner of Centara Grand stay from TravelManagers
The lucky winner of a luxurious five night stay for two in Thailand’s Centara Grand Central World and Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin is Melbourne based Travel Manager Liza Beylerian. Ms Beylerian also received return airfares from the incentive that was run in conjunction with Qantas Holidays, Qantas Airways and TravelManagers for a total of 10 weeks. Congratulations Ms Beylerian and KarryOn hope you enjoy your trip.
8) Novotel Sydney Central savvy new rooms
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| Novotel Sydney Central Suit Novotel Sydney Central has launched their new Executive Bedroom category, designed to meet the needs of modern travellers. The 50 new Executive Bedrooms offer guests additional privileges including free internet access, a caffeine fix from the Nespresso coffee machine, bottled water, the comfort of robes and slippers and ‘me-time’ indulgence with a full range of amenities including body scrub and body milk. This is all enhanced with the new contemporary look design and spacious layout that maximises comfort. |
9) UL joins oneworld this May
SriLankan Airlines will become the first carrier from Indian subcontinent to enter any global alliance, as it joins as a full member of oneworld®. Starting 1 may 2014, the national airline of Sri Lanka will be offering the alliance’s complete range of services and benefits. Some 100,000 members of SriLankan’s FlySmiLes loyalty programme will, in effect, have their frequent flyer privileges extended to whenever they fly with any oneworld member airline, including Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Qantas; Europe’s airberlin, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Russia’s S7 Airlines; Qatar Airways and Royal Jordanian, from the Middle East; American Airlines and, from 31 March, its merger partner US Airways, from North America; LAN and, also from 31 March, TAM from South America; and more than 30 affiliated airlines.
10) Catch the worm with Scenic’s South East Asia
Earlybirds catch the worm, but you need to be quick if you want to take advantage of Scenic Tours fantastic Earlybird deals on the 2014 and 2015 South East Asia program. Due to end 31 March 2014, the deals on the South East Asia Earlybird program include Fly Free return offers inclusive of taxes. Scenic Tours all-inclusive luxury includes meticulously planned itineraries, professional Cruise and Tour Directors with English-speaking Local Guides.
