My dual citizenship caused problems in transit home from the UK

A dual citizen, I have always travelled on my Australian passport, using my British one solely for entering and leaving the UK. Recently departing Heathrow on my British passport, as British-Australians are now required to do by the British government, I had problems at Bangkok. I had registered and tried to enter Thailand on my Australian passport, which I had done in the other direction a few weeks previously. I was almost denied entry until I presented my British passport and received a very firm talking-to by the immigration officer about entering only on the departure passport, as recorded by the airline. A wrinkle of the new UK government entry rules for dual citizens that I only now fully appreciate. Andrew St John-Brown, Armidale, NSW

Ross Tanner (Traveller Letters, September 5) had the opposite experience from me with booking.com. I booked an Australian house from within Australia, advertised in Australian dollars with an Australian credit card. I was then charged in euros and had to pay an international transaction fee. Despite me challenging the cost, booking.com has never refunded the fee. I’ll never use them again. Heather Sheldrick, Dee Why, NSW

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I’ve not dabbled with AI for my travel planning yet, like your reader Christina Benedict (Traveller Letters, September 5), but during a recent visit to Warrnambool’s tourist information centre, it was the passion a staff member shared with us that opened up opportunities only locals knew about. She shared the story about an artist’s street art of a wombat “temporarily” sketched onto a bridge wall. What happened when the artist tried to remove the artwork became a YouTube sensation followed by an ABC interview about the very funny and intriguing story. Yes, AI can share the art trail details with you, but not with the passion of a proud local. Roxanne Le Blanc, Croydon, Vic

It makes sense to check if wheels can be easily replaced when buying luggage as wheel damage is not uncommon and probably won’t be repaired under warranty. During a recent Japan trip, the rubber tyres on both our three-year-old High Sierra wheeled duffel bags split and fell apart for no apparent reason. Samsonite (owner of the High Sierra brand) refused to repair them, even after NSW Fair Trading intervened. Without examining the wheels, Samsonite stated that the failures were not a manufacturing fault, but were due to “airline mishandling, normal wear and tear or abuse”. A web search showed that this is a common response by luggage manufacturers. Riveted luggage wheels are costly to repair as the wheels have to be drilled out – we were quoted $200 to repair our bags. If the wheels had been bolted or screwed into place, I would have done it myself for a fraction of that. Tony Tarplee, Newtown, NSW

British Airways is my favourite airline. These days, I rarely catch sight of the cockpit crew, but I remember the good old days when the captain would stroll down the aisle on long flights chatting to passengers. On a recent flight, I caught sight of the captain and screamed with delight. She was exactly what I wanted to be back in 1970, when the chaps at my flying school laughed when I said I wanted to go commercial. She asked a passenger to take a pic of us together. Geraldine Herbert-Brown, Northbridge, NSW

I just returned from an Arctic cruise and travel in Europe and want to applaud all the accessibility airport staff. Due to an injury, my mum had to use a walker and we asked for support at the airport. Everyone from Sydney, Singapore, Copenhagen, Oslo and Reykjavik was amazing. We were met at the aircraft door with a wheelchair and smiling faces. We even received assistance with luggage and getting a taxi. Comfort and security were paramount and the access through customs was incredible. So many people with a disability can travel today and be well taken care of. If you are older and worried about travel, please don’t be. There is an army of support staff ready, willing and very able to ensure a smooth journey. Just ask. Jennifer Bray, Corindi Beach, NSW

I recently returned from a fantastic five-day trip to Suzhou, China, after reading an article about it in Traveller.​ Before going, I was warned that Google Maps, WhatsApp, and most other Western apps wouldn’t work. However, because I used my phone’s international roaming, every app worked smoothly for navigating, paying and staying in touch with home.​ Installing WeChat and Alipay before leaving made payments seamless. Booking train and attraction tickets online was a breeze. Once booked, your passport acts as your ticket – no need to show paper or online passes. As a senior citizen, I was pleasantly surprised to skip the queues at several attractions. Communication was effortless. Hotel staff used translation apps, and I relied on my own whenever needed. ​Suzhou was truly one of the most hassle-free destinations I’ve visited. Asoka Balasuriya, Pendle Hill, NSW

Australia’s liquid rules make little sense. On a domestic flight, passengers can take liquids through security without restriction. On an international flight, anything over 100 millimetres is suddenly prohibited. The same airports, the same security systems and often the same aircraft. So what exactly changes when the flight is international? If large quantities of liquid are safe on domestic flights, why are they considered a security risk on international ones? Twenty years after these rules were introduced, surely the Australian government can either explain the logic or modernise the rules and put passengers first. Simon Benedict, Moonee Ponds, Vic

I was delighted to see that you did not include Norwich as one of the top 20 British cities. It is a lovely place easily accessed from London and explored on foot or by bike. Its medieval city centre has one of England’s most inspiring cathedrals, close to the castle museum (both more than 900 years old) with its brilliantly restored keep. Elm Hill is a picturesque cobblestone street with antique, craft and collectors shops not far from a modern market with 200 stalls, open six days a week. Close to the Norfolk Broads and the university of East Anglia, it is a short drive to the coast and miles of beautiful countryside. Places as special as this do not need to be overrun by tourists! Anne Dorey, Hornsby, NSW

I was disappointed to see no York in your best and worst of Britain. It certainly ranks above some of those listed. Starting at the delightful Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma Gate (I am not making that up), you have the minster, the Jorvik Viking Museum (with a genuine recreation of the smell), the Roman history, medieval gates, York Army Museum, York Castle Museum with its recreated Victorian street scene and drinks at the Evil Eye. If museums are not your thing, York proves the gateway to the north and the wild beyond. Alexander Elliott, Bilgola Plateau, NSW

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