It was this time last year that travellers were being encouraged to ‘return home’ before they became stranded overseas.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-17/coronavirus-australians-should-return-home-from-overseas/12065050.
Earlier the month before, two family members had ‘close shaves’ – one had been gone a few weeks seeing and doing what was on ‘the bucket list’ but getting more worried as days went by, finally managing to get a flight back from Glasgow (nowhere near where they were). They had booked with a travel agency which had worldwide outlets (High Street ‘shops’ all over the world) so appreciated the negotiations that took place between their ‘contact’ in Melbourne and someone in the uk to get them onto one of the fast filling aeroplanes coming back to Australia.
Another, plus her daughter, were booked to fly out; granddaughter had obtained a work visa with employment all lined up, daughter was going along to keep her company; they’d have a week or two sightseeing, granddaughter would start work, daughter would then go and visit family before coming home. So not hearing from the agency they continued to think everything would be ok – until g/daughter’s contacts in the uk said….”we recommend you don’t come”. . They spent days cancelling everything and watching the world shut down
Then the task began for both families to try and get refunds, in other words recover everything they’d outlaid already. Flights, accommodation, other transport plus entertainment and other bits and pieces. Trouble was…..just about every other traveller (worldwide) was trying to do the same…and it took a long long time. Both families were lucky in getting back all payments – there was a little argy bargy with some companies offering credit vouchers not cash but last I heard (at Christmas time) that was ‘all sorted’
So what this is leading up to is that after all this time of a closed international border (apart from instances of approved returning Australians who then go into a quarantine program) Australia and New Zealand have finally opened their borders to each other. The first flights took place the other day…..quarantine free but with a catch. The bubble will be burst if the virus raises its ugly head on either side of the Tasman….people could be ‘stranded’ away from home not knowing when they could make their return journey …..people will be looking for refunds….and if this article is anything to go by (see link below) – they will need to pick their airline carefully or there may be problems getting them!
12/4/21.
“Those undertaking travel on either side of the ditch will do so under the guidance of flyer beware. People will need to plan for the possibility of travel being disrupted if there is an outbreak,” Ardern said.
‘ While everyone is hoping it doesn’t become necessary, there is still a possibility that additional travel restrictions could be reimposed at any time. This could involve the trans-Tasman bubble being paused or suspended with little or no warning, in the event of a new COVID-19 outbreak somewhere in Australia or New Zealand. If this unfortunately happens, the government is unlikely to help and most current travel insurance policies specifically exclude cover for getting stuck somewhere due to COVID-19 border closures’
Link – Which airlines will refund cancelled trans – Tasman flights.
https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/refund-cancelled-trans-tasman-flights/
Still Waters 
I’m thinking that anyone who travels, travels at their own peril, and their own money. No guarantees. Unless an emergency situation, I would be waiting until things look better. We just go news at noon, on Tuesday, that our county in California has gone to the orange tier where more places can open, including movie theaters and bars. This means we have fewer cases and deaths, more testing, more vaccinations. Now, if we can get just a bit lower, to the yellow tier, I will feel comfortable going back to church and eating INSIDE a restaurant. That will be HUGE.
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We have a situation here in Australia dk where we have very very few active cases….all overseas travellers- all in hotel quarantine. New Zealand – our closest neighbour is similar – we have very strong ties with NZ and this flight agreement has been the most welcome development since the pandemic began.
We truly feel for those in other countries who are still racked by this awful disease and are trying so hard to get rid of it. It took lots of work and cooperation from everyone (whether they wanted to or not) to bring it under control- you’ve heard me talk about the months we (here in Victoria) were in lockdown- so I can understand your fear/reluctance to do anything you consider unsafe. You’ll get there – if everyone works at it. Good luck!
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Himself was due to travel last year. Tickets booked, tickets paid for. He has a credit now(they flatly refuse a refund) – and no way of knowing when or if he will be able to redeem it.
We have been lucky here but it has taken a toll on many.
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Lol I bet your man is champing at the bit to be away EC. We received vouchers for a Canadian airline once (bumped off flight) valid for 12 months…we knew we wouldn’t be back in that time and were annoyed they wouldn’t give us cash or let us transfer them to the The Golfers cousins in Nova Scotia.
There are many unseen ‘covid stories’ out there and it is good? there are people like you out in the community who are willing/able to listen with an open heart.
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I assume Air NZ has similar fares to Qantas and it seems wrong that it won’t offer a full refund. Personally I would not risk overseas travel and I’m even doubtful about interstate travel. Even with a refunded air fare, if you were locked down in NZ you could be up for a lot of extra accommodation costs and the possibility of having to pay for your own quarantine.
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Unless something drastic happens I’m sure (hoping?) interstate travel should be fine Andrew. I’m with you on international, it’s certainly not something I have in mind, if at all (not getting any younger, might want to but don’t think I could cope well with longhaul) and apart from this week’s novelty of being able to fly to NZ we’re not going to get the chance are we? Even though us older ones will be vaccinated the gov’t isn’t going to let us out because we might bring ’nasties’ back. There’s no aircraft landing aerosol spray (remember those days) capable of cleansing us of covid (tongue in cheek).
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Oh we hear you on the ‘credits’. We are still holding some credits for flights to Azerbijan in June of last year. Can’t see those ever being of any use to us before we finish the secondment here and move away from Greece.
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Just hide them away in a scrap book then in years to come they’ll be a reminder of what the world went through.
Any idea of where your next posting will be to?
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I used to find the ten hour flight to Europe relaxing…no one could get at me for all that time! But i am not traveling in a mask for ten hours and certainly not with the expense of tests which are less accurate than hanging up a strand of seaweed and possible quarantine costs – let along fighting for refunds if it all goes pear shaped.
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The mask thing will be a decider if we do ever set foot in a ‘plane. Sydney or Adelaide (1 – 1.5hr) I could cope with. Certainly not even going to think about overseas…..closest is Auckland at 3.5hr and that’s a tad too long
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My best friend and I were to take a cruise last May out of New York City. The company kept offering to give us credit. I knew that there was no chance that the ship would be able to sail from the City and held out until the company cancelled. That way I got my money back, not credit. Many people are left with credit that they may never get to use.
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Good result from leaving it a bit longer. We have cruised for many years – finished one in the January just before the world went crazy and have heard so many horror stories over credits rather than refunds to put me off even cruising with my favourite Holland America Line.
Now of course it’s the safety aspect that will deter us (when cruise lines get the ok to start business again).
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My husband isn’t crazy about cruising since he loves to take daily long walks, and not just around the boat! However my best friend and I love them and hope some day to return to one.
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Being the old stick-in-the-mud-stay-at-home being that I am always…nothing has changed with my day to day habits. I have no intentions of flying anywhere…driving anywhere…walking anywhere…or swimming anywhere! 🙂
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One day at a time eh Lee. Living life the way you want to! If there’s no need – then don’t do it 😊
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What a dicey, dicey world we inhabit. We may all be init equally, almost. I understand Prince Harry flew back to California on a commercial airline.
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Oh yes it’s all fun and games out there Joanne. At the moment it’s a case of …….just when you think all is going well……things can change in a second
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As some of you know, I’m on the other side of the ditch (affectionate term we have) from Australia in New Zealand. Much fanfare on the New Bubble and apparently many people slid onto a aeroplane and glided across to the other country. I won’t be taking that offer up as I don’t wish to travel that kind of way again. Yes, staying (travelling) in my own neck of the woods but even that is on hold right now…not to do with the pandemic.
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I really want to go places again Cathy but I really want it to be in safety. I know we are all impatient and want this to be over and done with but it’s not. I’m content to travel but car – bus train and plane are off limits for me at the moment.
There are too many travellers coming back with the virus and once again there have been recent transferred infections (room to room) in quarantine with unsuspecting people not being diagnosed until they’ve been home…and out and about in the community. Both Perth and Sydney this past week…at least they can blame our Dan for that….Victorian Premier Dan Andrews….he’s on sick leave
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This was not a concern for me. I have never been an airlines traveler except for work. A few years ago we did have a sibling trip to Alaska and had to fly to and from Seattle to get the cruise ship, Prior to that, all my travel consisted of car travel from coast to coast with my beloved spouse.
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