GENERAL HINTS -World Wide Wisdom

WWW  World Wide Wisdom- General Hints is advice to help make your travel as pleasant as possible.

As a courtesy to us, we would appreciate you using these hints or at least considering them with acknowledgement to us as being the source!  

Max Najar Axis Travel Centre against Qantas Emirates Merger ACCC tabled submission 2023

CLICK this full page example Document about SCAMS that may embarrass you in what you may be doing wrongly!THEN return to this AXIS TRAVEL World Wide Wisdom page!

TRIPADVISOR validity!!

PET TRAVEL HATES. ANNOYING THINGS part 1 

NO HOME ADDRESS ON BAGGAGE
Comments For security do not place your home address on baggage.
Advice Overseas contacts can see baggage on carousel and advise contacts to people at home. Place addresses where places are occupied, or even a Work address.
RIGHT HAND PLEASE
Comments It is rude to accept a coffee, or hand over business cards from your left hand in Middle East and parts of South Europe.
Advice Always shake and accept refreshments with your right hand. Study their formalities first.
CABINS COST LESS
Comments Book well in advance, say 2 yrs, for the best cabin on most vessels at no extra cost. We know the best side and position – away from staircases and Discos, nearest the lift, near the pool, and even the best refurbished cabins on most Cruise vessels. Book in advance.
Advice Let us grab your cabin, very early – unlike airline seats.
NO MEDICINES LIKE HOME
Comments We have some of the best medicines in Australia and New Zealand that cannot be purchased overseas. Buy suitable quantities from Aust and NZ and take away.
Advice Always obtain and keep in their original sealed containers, as well as copies of scripts.
NO HUMOUR PLEASE
Comments DO NOT joke or play word games with Customs and Immigration officials. Australians tend to be jovial and joking, BUT overseas authorities often do not understand Australian humour. Be serious and tactful.
Advice Keep humour at home or with travelling companions. Do not mix business with humour if entering a foreign country.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Comments Always get us or your Airline to debrief you on Foreign Affairs updates.
Advice Strike action, custom details, public holidays, violence, wars and that might ruin your holiday. Axis Travel clients are always made aware of any such happenings.
YOU AND THE EURO DOLLAR
Comments Take Euro dollar cash as the first option of foreign currency. The second preference is Euro dollar travellers cheques, then credit card as it is far too time consuming and costly, let alone a hassle trying to convert cheques and credit cards to usable cash.
Advice Get Axis Travel to organise your cash and travellers cheques for you, and perhaps coins as well, before you go. We will also advise where you can cash your travellers cheques for free.
NEW ORLEANS SCAM
Comments Locals say to you “Hey, I bet I can tell you where you bought your shoes from…”. You look down and they or their nearby partner hit you or take your shopping bag/wallet.
Advice Do not look down and be aware on all sides. A very fast take that has locals running down alleys so fast that no Jazz music can ever play with.
EXCESS BAGGAGE
Comments Airlines are charging more nowadays.
Advice In many countries, forwarding soiled, used items via the Post Office back home is much cheaper than Excess Airline charges. Take two suitcase covers, place inside, texta your name over masking tape and place stamps onto tape before posting.
VEGETABLE PEELER SAVES STOMACH PAINS
Comments Especially in Sth America and Asia, a small vegetable peeler will peel apples etc and save any bugs getting into your body. Take two peelers.
Advice Peel the fruit/veg, and take a few Glad bags to place residue and dispose of thoughtfully.
EATING DOG
Comments Eat Yiros or Satays in Rio or Sao Paolo and you might be eating a dog. Some clients from Australia have had poisoning referred to this origin. NOT all places will serve dog, only some foodstalls are doing this. Beware. Some can tolerate this cuisine-others cannot.
Advice Try to choose restaurants where you can find out the origin of the meat, or where it is carved on premises. Alternatively, stick to restaurants with a good name, or something you know, such as McDonalds.
SECURED SITES!!
Comments Axis Travel will continue a policy of E-mailed client details via our site UNTIL a bonafide secured site is given to the Internet Industry. Current YAHOO! etc problems were expected. Once a client e-mails us, we will use a Fax-Phone-secured response to obtain any Credit Card, passport or Frequent Flyer number to process bookings. Axis Travel prefers to verge on security and slowness rather than the excitement of Internet. Sorry but client security is paramount to us !
Advice Use Email to request a booking then we will contact you for final details.
LADIES HANDBAGS
Comments Remember to always hold tightly onto your handbag. Some people train children to steal bags, and they are very good at it!
Advice Put your bag over your shoulder or under a jacket, as it makes it more difficult for people wanting to steal it.
THE OLD ICE TRICK
Comments Studiously careful traveller refuses water in Bali to ensure he does not get “Bali Belly” yet ends up with same upset stomach after 24 hrs arrival. WHY ? YES. Sometimes they do refil half-empty bottles then refill, re-seal and re-sell !!
Advice He goes out and drinks coke in outdoor cafes that have their drinking glasses, utensils and dishes washed in that very same local water. Impurities are free. ADVICE: Take a few straws from home, do not allow them to add ice to your drinks and consider only sealed waterbottles or sealed cans – not glass bottles.
CAR HIRE CATCHES
Comments Expect taxes and insurances to possibly cost you more than the actual car hire. The Governments and Airport Authorities are surcharging rental vehicle companies, and insurance premiums are rising. This is adding considerably to price of car hire. Save money by booking from home.
Advice Prepaying all costs can exclude some tax and some insurance before you go. Normally packaged contracted rates that we book are inclusive and can save up to 40%.
ARE YOU COVERED FOR LOST WORK DAYS?
Comments Axis Travel has spent years researching the “fineprint” of Travel Insurance Policies and have selected only 3 to issue for Australian Residents. The fine print determines the results and their past history of claims. Did you know that some protect you individually for “loss of income” if overseas trip is delayed through no fault of your own! Some cover hijacking, loss of jewellery and laptops for over $3000. Some policies do not protect you at all for any pre-existing medical conditions; ours do. If you reside in Australia – get Axis Travel to issue you with the best suitable policy.
Advice Read and study the policies or get us to recommend and issue a policy. We will accept any credit card and you can also secure frequent flyer points when paying!
TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE
Comments When booking a coach Tour , ensure you know whether you SEE a sight, VISIT a site, or SIGHT a site. A Coach Company can let you “View” the Eiffel Tower from 1 km away or you can alternatively “Visit” that same site by disembarking and entering. Read brochures carefully. After 33 years of doing this – we certainly do !
Advice Read, re-read and get us to ensure you are getting what you expect.
GST goods and services taxes to be added
Comments On all our Fees and Frequent Flyer services, as well as Deposits. Also added to most Domestic Travel within Australia to Australian residents, a 10% GST tax initiated by Australian Federal Government. Sorry; they insist – we must persist.
Advice
DUBAI MEANS BUY BUY!
Comments Australian and New Zealanders can now enter Dubai without a visa; it is now granted at entry. This means you can discover the worlds best DUTY FREE shopping, and most advancing destination on earth. Excellence in Arab cultural tours, incentives and business dealings, AXIS TRAVEL staff speak Arabic and know Dubai/Bahrain/M-east area better than most – contact us!
Advice Get solid advice on what not to do, custom hints, best foreign exchange hints, where to stay and shop and what to beware of.
CLEAN NOTES PLEASE
Comments Clients must take clear, clean, flat, unmarked US dollar notes to Lebanon and Syria, as banks ae fussy about non-acceptance if they are not. We will check each note before we give them to you.
Advice GET Axis Travel staff to assist.
EAT LESS, DRINK LESS.
Comments Jetlag can be reduced if you have water during the flight, eat less food and do more exercising whilst in flight. Alcohol and too much food can worsen jetlag. Also , acclimatise your body to suit where you are going.
Advice Alter your watch time to be what is at your destination. If arriving at night – try NOT to sleep on the plane. If arriving in the morning, try and sleep so you are refreshed when you disembark.
TOILETS CAN BE A PAIN IN THE…..
Comments Europe still loves to charge to enter public toilets. You can pay up to and around 1 Eurodollar to use toilets in rest stops, cafes, McDonalds etc.
Advice DO NOT ARGUE. Just take coins and pay. The philosophy is at least your this money allows toilets to be open and somewhat maintained rather than have no toilets, or toilets with stenches!
HOTELS IN EUROPE
Comments Make sure where you are located, they have a shuttle bus, laundry nearby, inroom safe, and porterage included. It is worthwhile looking for somewhere not in a noisy location, and request a smoking or non smoking room.
Advice Hotels can make or break a holiday. Axis Travel can ensure your hotels meet all your needs, and offer suggestions. You can trust the advice from our staff. HINT: Hotels will always upsell their property!
PREPAY CAR TAXES AND INSURANCES
Comments A small trick is to get us to have most taxes, and collection fees prepaid. Otherwise, you might become a captive audience for amazing rates and addons that are hard to understand when you are standing at a counter. We will explain all costs BEFORE you go.
Advice Only pay for rates and costs that you need. Many insurances offered are useless and expensive. An all incusive rate is best.
GLAD TO BE GLAD
Comments Glad resealable plastic bags are an excellent invention. When travelling – use them for coins, toiletries, bottles, soiled clothes, receipts, and other small articles.
Advice Take a sufficient supply with you and re-use. Also, take Blu-tack to keep things together.
MELBOURNE BARGAINS FOR US DOLLARS
Comments Axis Travel staff have just seen how inexpensive great sites in Melbourne can be. When in Melbourne, you must include visits to the Zoo, the Melbourne Aquarium, the Melbourne Gaol to see Ned Kelly and gang (our most infamos outlaw), the Scienceworks Museum for children and adults alike, Rialto Towers for a superb skyline view of Melbourne city and quite possibly the best City IMAX style screening in Australia, Sovereign Hill (1.5 hours from Melb city), and (of course) the city of Melbourne with excellent shopping, and European style cafes.
Advice Spend at least 5 days there and have us organise an itinerary. You really need NO rental car for most days as the tram and free city transport is excellent.
CREDIT CARD SURCHARGES
Comments Many credit cards charge an extra 2-4% when you do an international transaction. These fees are levied by a multitude of banks overseas, before you are sent an account. Using cash, travellers cheques, or ran American Express or Diners card will reduce the chances or high charges.
Advice Axis Staff can assist with foreign currency.
VISA AND PASSPORT COPIES
Comments When entering a country with a paper visa, always keep a hard copy in your pocket – you may need to produce this on entry. Always keep copies of your passport in your suitcase or carrybag, and at home.
Advice MUST DO TO SAVE HASSLES: pay your travel agent more if necessary to get copies of all documents, air tickets and passports.
DEPORTED AND DEPRESSED
Comments An internet user buys a cheap ticket via the internet. He arrives into Dubai after Tel Aviv and is asked to exit immediately. He tries to claim on his travel insurance – which he also purchased from Internet. He is depressed, deported and distressed.
Advice Point 1: No saving of money can pay for good advice. Any passport with a visa to enter Israel means no entry into UAE-Dubai. A good travel agent would know this. 2: Travel insurance policies ARE NOT all the same. A good travel policy would have assisted him, which we can recommend and issue. 3: Sometimes it is worth paying extra for good service and advice.
WE WILL TRY NOT TO EMBARASS YOU BUT….
Comments We insist that all clients sign off, via various methods, that the plastic card they tell us they own is theirs. This is to ensure that clients get what they want and are billed accordingly. Please don’t get embarrassed if we ask you for verification. This protects us all.
Advice Expect Axis Travel to maintain our 100% Policy of doing the right thing. If you are currently SOF (Signature on File)-no problem. If you are new to us, we will assist you to protect your interests when we are asked to book Travel for you.
NOT ALL RENTAL CARS ARE THE SAME
Comments Axis Travel has learned of cheaper car rentals being given to clients that DO NOT HEED OUR ADVICE, and their credit cards are billed extra monies for extra service fees, petrol costs and car damage – after they have returned the car. Ethics is lacking BUT the time and money taken to rectify is enormous.
Advice Get advise from Axis Travel. If a problem occurs it is our responsibility to assist you and FOLLOW THROUGH, to find a solution. We ONLY deal with licensed and reputable Car Rentals. If it costs you less-great. If it costs you slightly more- it will be worth it. After 33 years of booking cars-we know our stuff!
TRUST A HUMAN-NOT A COMPUTER.
Comments Experience has shown us that you cannot always trust the mechanics of a computer. You cannot complain to a computer, or get an explanation. A computer cannot and will not tell you if room booked is in a redlight area, has a musky odour or is badly managed. A Travel Agent will/can.
Advice As Travel Agents do, please use a computer to research and book BUT if it is an important trip – use a good Travel agent. Their accountability, liability and good humour cannot be matched by a computer.
BEWARE! THE BOW TIE THIEVES
Comments Hotel foyers and conference areas are being targeted by well dressed males and females in suits/bowties. They go to a stranded attache case/laptop/purse and wallet and rescue them! Keep eyes peeled on these items as even the hotel and conference security guards are being caught unaware.
Advice Keep on your hand and inside front pockets any items of value. Carry laptops inside normal bags and not Laptop styled bags. Never leave valuables out of sight and especially in an environment that has strangers about. Even a person standing in a foyer may be scanning your items and not waiting for a person. Speak to Axis Travel Management for more details after you have booked travel with us. We have a FREE debrief session to all wary travellers.
RECONFIRM ON FLIGHT DAY.
Comments Not only 3 days prior, but on actual flight day.
Advice This will be better, rather than wait around airports all day. Ring our office or the airline direct.
GETTING ROBBED IN PARIS
Comments France has seen recently the biggest crime rate they have ever had. The manager of Axis Travel got robbed. After entering the Metro train, one robber pretending to be blind dropped his keys at our manager’s feet, searched the ground, touching our manager’s ankles, and he moved back while another robber slid his hand into his pocket, taking his wallet. They dashed out, the train departed and the wallet was gone. Their movements are fast, and you are kept pre-occupied. It can all happen in less than 5 seconds.
Advice Keep a copy of all monies and cards, travel light, and use moneybelts under your clothes with no noticeable straps. Do not use a wallet or purse, or keep only small change in it.
TAKE PLASTIC BAGS-not only a condom!
Comments The “Glad” resealable type. Excellent for: soiled clothes, shoes, spare coins, headache tablets, keeping things dry, for wet-ones, tissues, souvenirs etc.
Advice Get then from Home before you leave.
THE AIRLINE CON
Comments If you are offloaded from a confirmd flight issued on correct IATA ticket stock by a reputable Agency (us, for example!) then demand the next flight out, an upgrade or hotel and meals.
Advice Hold confirmed tickets in your hand and demand compensation. Contact us – if we booked you – for any assistance.
DO NOT PAY FOR ALL OPTIONALS
Comments Optional tours can be very, very expensive, and some are not worth it.
Advice Get Axis Travel staff to assist, by giving a comparative breakdown, then you can decide before you depart.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS WITHOUT THE EXCITEMENT
Comments We regularly obtain overseas updates from Australian and US Embassies. ALWAYS get us to check for you any warnings. Be safe.
Advice Heed our advice and those of stable Governments. Do not become a hero.
EURAIL SECTORS BEAT PASSES.
Comments Allow us to compare rail sectors in Europe and the USA with actual passes. Sometimes you get a better deal to buy a sector with a booking fee than to pay for a whole pass.
Advice We will compare local rates with passes and assist you.
AIRFARES CAN BE SO UNIMPORTANT
Comments When you consider that over 75% of travellers’ monies are spent on land content, cruises, food and tips, airfares should not sway you alone to entrust a travel agent based on price. Professional, hands-on advise when you commit can save you more in the long run.
Advice Get a total component cost when comparing agencies. Always consider the value of the service and expertise. A few pieces of advise has, and always will, save a traveller more money than any airfare differential.
THE LINGO TRICK
Comments Speaking local lingo will help you get a good deal. Try to utter a few words, making it sound as natural as possible.
Advice Learn a foreign language, or use what you know. Say word or short sentences only if you are not confident.
DUTY FREE OR NOT REALLY.
Comments Duty Free in many airports can be more expensive than a Downtown department store.
Advice Have Axis staff investigate costs before you go – we have the resources to do this. A nominal service fee may be levied, but, as was the case recently, we may be able to save up to $600 for you.
EXCESS BAGGAGE IS STINGING MANY.
Comments Airlines are increasingly demanding and obtaining, by right, exceess baggage charges from $38 per kilo. Some people have missed flights because of this.
Advice Get us to pre-arrange excess baggage to most points from $9 per kilo with prepaid insurance. This “Baggage Masters” system is tried and tested, and we have used for 15 years with all major carriers. Don’t be embarrassed.
WE WARNED YOU ABOUT DOUBLE TALKING!
Comments Recently we warned clients to book and pay extra money for a tour with English speaking guides. They opted to save $11 per day, and took a tour with a Guide who spoke German, French, Italian, then English last. They lost track of the sites, and did not enjoy the trip.
Advice Take our 33 years of advise and expertise.
CLAIM BACK GST/VAT taxes
Comments Save up to 22% in local taxes paid from USA, UK, EUROPE and AUST/NZ. Buy products from specific stores, keep receipt, then claim the tax at last airport of that country. The system works well most of the time. e.g. USA savings can be 22%, Europe averages 15%. A small amount of paperwork and mailings is required.
Advice Keep all receipts, buy the minimum required from accredited stores, get to the airport early to do the paperwork, and await REFUND, or your credit card can be credited.
SAFETY WHEN TRAVELING
Comments Constant updates on travel destinations are released for your safety.
Advice Visit www.dfat.gov.au/travel for the most up to date travel information.
BALI CRISIS AWARENESS
Comments Through our Media contacts we had to assist many customers who were not clients of ours. The hardest to track (or try to track) were those who booked via Internet or arrived in BALI without any forward contacts given to family or checking into our Foreign Embassies. Please tell people where you are or get a Travel Agency to be your booking/contact base.
Advice INTERNET BOOKINGS usually leave no trace or reference point for contact to be made. Deliberately or not. AXIS TRAVEL uses Internet as well to book clients Travel BUT at least we know where you are to assist Family/Friends and Govt. GEt us to book Travel and disregard any $20-$50 service fee mentality if you need a solid contact to assist tracking you down. [ Some families spent over $500 tracking loved ones whilst others had to physically fly to BALI to search}
Travel for Less or for Free!
Comments Interested in a free travel voucher worth $100?
Advice Book travel with us, send us a few photos or report and get a monhly chance to win.
AMERICAN EXPRESS OFFERS ASSURANCE
Comments No matter where you travel, American Express is there to help you out if things go wrong. The Global Assist Service allows you to travel with piece of mind. With local expert assistance only a phone call away, your trip wil be memorable for all the right reasons.
Advice Booking with an American Express office, and using your American Express card whe you travel, gives you the benefits you deserve.
FREQUENT FLYER BOOKINGS 
Comments No need to waste time, and phone calls and visit websites , risking your brain power and card securities. Axis Travel has an exclusive “redeem2go” dept that attends to Frequent Flyer Air, Hotel, Cruise and Car bookings with special services and discounts on Travel Insurances and Cruises. See this website.,
Advice Leave the complexities and hassles of Frequent Flyer redemption bookings-with professional advice up to us.
NO HOME ADDRESS ON BAGGAGE
Comments For security do not place your home address on baggage.
Advice Overseas contacts can see baggage on carousel and advise contacts to people at home. Place addresses where places are occupied, or even a Work address.
TRIP ADVISOR and similar websites
Comments NOT WHAT THEY SEEM!  Read our section on this site caled MEDIA and see what we mean. Their integrity is being questioned daily as Hotel, Tour, Flight and Cruise comparisons and blogs may not be fair, honest and unbiased.
Advice Leave it up to us experts.
Don’t Work! Just Travel!
Comments For a nominal fee, we will book all internet fares – QANTAS and Virgin Blue. and Jetstar and Tiger- plus over 390 other Airlines!
Advice Let us take the work out of your travel arrangements. Save time and hassles. Take advantage of our professional expertise.
HOTEL BKGS VIA INTERNET
Comments Search and get a rate and then check to see if best rate with all addons included. Is the room musky ? Our towels etc clean ? Is Security of Hotel OK ? Is the Hotel positioned in right / safe area? Is there a better Package rate ? Do I get Freq Flyer points if I book via Internet ? Is the Hotel near a Transport mode that i need? Is there any reports on Hotel that may decide if I stay or not ? Will my Cr Card be used properly ? AXIS TRAVEL honors all rooms booked and rely on consistent reports
Advice We ALSO use Internet and our own Computer System with publicly unavailable access and rates. Talk to us. Take NO RISKS.
CRUISECO 
Comments Axis Travel is a full member of CRUISECO the best Cruise bulk buying consortium in the world. WE sell many unadvertised Cruises at amazing discount deals with upgrades, two-4-one deals, flexi flights, extra benefits etc.
Advice Cruise with us and see how we will deliver innovative services, experience and advice that has placed AXIS TRAVEL in the forefront of CRUISE Travel Agency services.
CHECK ALL COUNTRIES TRAVEL ADVICE
Comments Please do not rely solely on our local Govt to obtain Travel Advice. AXIS sources advice from Australia, United Nations, WHO, local countries, Suppliers, Airlines and recent Travellers. Let us assist you. A FREE professional sourcing service that has no monetary value. Another Axis Travel service that others will try and emulate.
Advice Entrust us with your total travel arrangements.
TRUST MORE THAN ONE SOURCE-Please!
Comments Please do not rely solely on our local Govt to obtain Travel Advice. AXIS sources advice from Australia, United Nations, WHO, local countries, Suppliers, Airlines and recent Travellers. Let us assist you. A FREE professional sourcing service that has no monetary value. Another Axis Travel service that others will try and emulate.
Advice Entrust us with your total travel arrangements.
SEX TOURS
Comments Young travellers are still being kidnapped or forced into Sex Touring or worse. DO NOT accept or  believe in being helped by warming and overfriendly locals when travelling.
Advice Use the advice we give you and ask us questions. No website can beat human advice and experiences shared..
RIGHT HAND PLEASE
Comments It is rude to accept a coffee, or hand over business cards from your left hand in Middle East and parts of South Europe.
Advice Always shake and accept refreshments with your right hand. Study their formalities first.
TRAVEL INSURANCES
Comments Take out the best and not the cheapest as a saving of a few dollres is useless if claims are not looked at or Emergency assistance in English is not provided.
Advice Book travel with one of our consultants and let us advice and issue Insurance with proven track records and our backup support.
CABINS COST LESS
Comments Book well in advance, say 2 yrs, for the best cabin on most vessels at no extra cost. We know the best side and position – away from staircases and Discos, nearest the lift, near the pool, and even the best refurbished cabins on most Cruise vessels. Book in advance.
Advice Let us grab your cabin, very early – unlike airline seats.
NO MEDICINES LIKE HOME
Comments We have some of the best medicines in Australia and New Zealand that cannot be purchased overseas. Buy suitable quantities from Aust and NZ and take away.
Advice Always obtain and keep in their original sealed containers, as well as copies of scripts.
NO HUMOUR PLEASE
Comments DO NOT joke or play word games with Customs and Immigration officials. Australians tend to be jovial and joking, BUT overseas authorities often do not understand Australian humour. Be serious and tactful.
Advice Keep humour at home or with travelling companions. Do not mix business with humour if entering a foreign country.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Comments Always get us or your Airline to debrief you on Foreign Affairs updates.
Advice Strike action, custom details, public holidays, violence, wars and the like might ruin your holiday. Axis Travel clients are always made aware of any such happenings.
YOU AND THE EURODOLLAR-for EUROPE and parts of SOUTH AMERICA
Comments Take Eurodollar cash as the first option of foreign currency. The second preference is Eurodollar travellers cheques, then credit card as it is far too time consuming and costly, let alone a hassle trying to convert cheques and credit cards to usable cash.
Advice Get Axis Travel to organise your cash and travellers cheques for you, and perhaps coins as well, before you go. We will also advise where you can cash your travellers cheques for free.
NEW ORLEANS SCAM
Comments Locals say to you “Hey, I bet I can tell you where you bought your shoes from…”. You look down and they or their nearby partner hit you or take your shopping bag/wallet.
Advice Do not look down and be aware on all sides. A very fast take that has locals running down alleys so fast that no Jazz music can ever play with.
EXCESS BAGGAGE
Comments Airlines are charging more nowadays.
Advice In many countries, forwarding soiled, used items via the Post Office back home is much cheaper than Excess Airline charges. Take two suitcase covers, place inside, texta your name over masking tape and place stamps onto tape before posting.
VEGETABLE PEELER SAVES STOMACH PAINS
Comments Especially in Sth America and Asia, a small vegetable peeler will peel apples etc and save any bugs getting into your body. Take two peelers.
Advice Peel the fruit/veg, and take a few Glad bags to place residue and dispose of thoughtfully.
EATING DOG
Comments Eat Yiros or Satays in Rio or Sao Paolo and you might be eating a dog. Some clients from Australia have had poisoning referred to this origin. NOT all places will serve dog, only some foodstalls are doing this. Beware. Some can tolerate this cuisine-others cannot.
Advice Try to choose restaurants where you can find out the origin of the meat, or where it is carved on premises. Alternatively, stick to restaurants with a good name, or something you know, such as McDonalds.
SECURED SITES!
Comments Axis Travel will continue a policy of E-mailed client details via our site UNTIL a bonafide secured site is given to the Internet Industry. Current YAHOO! etc problems were expected. Once a client e-mails us, we will use a Fax-Phone-secured response to obtain any Credit Card, passport or Frequent Flyer number to process bookings. Axis Travel prefers to verge on security and slowness rather than the excitement of Internet. Sorry but client security is paramount to us !
Advice Use Email to request a booking then we will contact you for final details.
NO LAPTOPS TO CHINA
Comments Do not take a laptop into China as any laptop with encryptions will be confiscated. Chinese authorities do not like Laptops with encryption codes or software, and are not tolerant.
Advice Leave laptops home or take a laptop that has NO such software on it. Do not try and fool them. They are inventors of many such software programs.
THE OLD ICE TRICK
Comments Studiously careful traveller refuses water in Bali to ensure he does not get “Bali Belly” yet ends up with same upset stomach after 24 hrs arrival. WHY ? YES. Sometimes they do refil half-empty bottles then refill, re-seal and re-sell !!
Advice He goes out and drinks coke in outdoor cafes that have their drinking glasses, utensils and dishes washed in that very same local water. Impurities are free. ADVICE: Take a few straws from home, do not allow them to add ice to your drinks and consider only sealed waterbottles or sealed cans – not glass bottles.
CAR HIRE CATCHES
Comments Expect taxes and insurances to possibly cost you more than the actual car hire. The Governments and Airport Authorities are surcharging rental vehicle companies, and insurance premiums are rising. This is adding considerably to price of car hire. Save money by booking from home.
Advice Prepaying all costs can exclude some tax and some insurance before you go. Normally packaged contracted rates that we book are inclusive and can save up to 40%.
ARE YOU COVERED FOR LOST WORK DAYS?
Comments Axis Travel has spent weeks researching the “fineprint” of Travel Insurance Policies and have selected only 3 to issue for Australian Residents. The fine print determines the results and their past history of claims. Did you know that some protect you individually for “loss of income” if overseas trip is delayed through no fault of your own! Some cover hijacking, loss of jewellery and laptops for over $3000. Some policies do not protect you at all for any pre-existing medical conditions; ours do. If you reside in Australia – get Axis Travel to issue you with the best suitable policy.
Advice Read, read and study the policies or get us to recommend and issue a policy. We will acept any credit card and you can also secure frequent flyer points when paying!
TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE
Comments When booking a coach Tour , ensure you know whether you SEE a sight, VISIT a site, or SIGHT a site. A Coach Company can let you “View” the Eiffel Tower from 1 km away or you can alternatively “Visit” that same site by disembarking and entering. Read brochures carefully. After 33 years of doing this – we certainly do !
Advice Read, re-read and get us to ensure you are getting what you expect.
GST goods and services taxes to be added
Comments On all our Fees and Frequent Flyer services, as well as Deposits. Also added to most Domestic Travel within Australia to Australian residents, a 10% GST tax initiated by Australian Federal Government. Sorry; they insist – we must persist.
Advice
DUBAI MEANS DO BUY!
Comments Australian and New Zealanders can now enter Dubai without a visa; it is now granted at entry. This means you can discover the worlds best DUTY FREE shopping, and most advancing destination on earth. Excellence in Arab cult ural tours, incentives and business dealings, AXIS TRAVEL staff speak Arabic and know Dubai/Bahrain/M-east area better than most – contact us!
Advice Get solid advice on what not to do, custom hints, best foreign exchange hints, where to stay and shop and what to beware of.
CLEAN NOTES PLEASE
Comments Clients must take clear, clean, flat, unmarked US dollar notes to Lebanon and Syria, as banks ae fussy about non-acceptance if they are not. We will check each note before we give them to you.
Advice GET Axis Travel staff to assist.
EAT LESS, DRINK LESS.
Comments Jetlag can be reduced if you have water during the flight, eat less food and do more exercising whilst in flight. Alcohol and too much food can worsen jetlag. Also , acclimatise your body to suit where you are going.
Advice Alter your watch time to be what is at your destination. If arriving at night – try NOT to sleep on the plane. If arriving in the morning, try and sleep so you are refreshed when you disembark.
TOILETS CAN BE A PAIN IN THE…..
Comments Europe still loves to charge to enter public toilets. You can pay up to and around 1 Eurodollar to use toilets in rest stops, cafes, McDonalds etc.
Advice DO NOT ARGUE. Just take coins and pay. The philosophy is at least your this money allows toilets to be open and somewhat maintained rather than have no toilets, or toilets with stenches!
HOTELS IN EUROPE
Comments Make sure where you are located, they have a shuttle bus, laundry nearby, inroom safe, and porterage included. It is worthwhile looking for somewhere not in a noisy lcation, and request a smoking or non smoking room.
Advice Hotels can make or break a holiday. Axis Travel can ensure your hotels meet all your needs, and offer suggestions. You can trust the advice from our staff. HINT: Hotels will always upsell their property!
PREPAY CAR TAXES AND INSURANCES
Comments A small trick is to get us to have most taxes, and collection fees prepaid. Otherwise, you might become a captive audience for amazing rates and addons that are hard to understand when you are standing at a counter. We will explain all costs BEFORE you go.
Advice Only pay for rates and costs that you need. Many insurances offered are useless and expensive. An all incusive rate is best.
GLAD TO BE GLAD
Comments Glad resealable plastic bags are an excellent invention. When travelling – use them for coins, toiletries, bottles, soiled clothes, receipts, and other small articles.
Advice Take a sufficient supply with you and re-use. Also, take Blu-tack to keep things together.
MELBOURNE BARGAINS FOR US DOLLARS
Comments Axis Travel staff have just seen how inexpensive great sites in Melbourne can be. When in Melbourne, you must include visits to the Zoo, the Melbourne Aquarium, the Melbourne Gaol to see Ned Kelly and gang (our most infamos outlaw), the Scienceworks Museum for children and adults alike, Rialto Towers for a superb skyline view of Melbourne city and quite possibly the best City IMAX style screening in Australia, Sovereign Hill (1.5 hours from Melb city), and (of course) the city of Melbourne with excellent shopping, and European style cafes.
Advice Spend at least 5 days there and have us organise an itinerary. You really need NO rental car for most days as the tram and free city transport is excellent.
CREDIT CARD SURCHARGES
Comments Many credit cards charge an extra 2-4% when you do an international transaction. These fees are levied by a multitude of banks overseas, before you are sent an account. Using cash, travellers cheques, or ran American Express or Diners card will reduce the chances or high charges.
Advice Axis Staff can assist with foreign currency.
VISA AND PASSPORT COPIES
Comments When entering a coutnry with a paper visa, always keep a hard copy in y our pocket – you may need to produce this on entry. Always keep copies of your passport in your suitcase or carrybag, and at home.
Advice MUST DO TO SAVE HASSLES: pay your travel agent more if necessary to get copies of all documents, air tickets and passports.
DEPORTED AND DEPRESSED
Comments An internet user buys a cheap ticket via the internet. He arrives into Dubai after Tel Aviv and is asked to exit immediately. He tries to claim on his travel insurance – which he also purchased from Internet. He is depressed, deported and distressed.
Advice Point 1: No saving of money can pay for good advice. Any passport with a visa to enter Israel means no entry into UAE-Dubai. A good travel agent would know this. 2: Travel insurance policies ARE NOT all the same. A good travel policy would have assisted him, which we can recommend and issue. 3: Sometimes it is worth paying extra for good service and advice.
WE WILL TRY NOT TO EMBARASS YOU BUT….
Comments We insist that all clients sign off, via various methods, that the plastic card they tell us they own is theirs. This is to ensure that clients get what they want and are billed accordingly. Please don’t get embarrassed if we ask you for verification. This protects us all.
Advice Expect Axis Travel to maintain our 100% Policy of doing the right thing. If you are currently SOF (Signature on File)-no problem. If you are new to us, we will assist you to protect your interests when we are asked to book Travel for you.
NOT ALL RENTAL CARS ARE THE SAME
Comments Axis Travel has learned of cheaper car rentals being given to clients that DO NOT HEED OUR ADVICE, and their credit cards are billed extra monies for extra service fees, petrol costs and car damage – after they have returned the car. Ethics is lacking BUT the time and money taken to rectify is enormous.
Advice Get advise from Axis Travel. If a problem occurs it is our responsibility to assist you and FOLLOW THROUGH, to find a solution. We ONLY deal with licensed and reputable Car Rentals. If it costs you less-great. If it costs you slightly more- it will be worth it. After 23 years of booking cars-we know our stuff!
TRUST A HUMAN-NOT A COMPUTER.
Comments Experience has shown us that you cannot always trust the mechanics of a computer. You cannot complain to a computer, or get an explanation. A computer cannot and will not tell you if room booked is in a redlight area, has a musky odour or is badly managed. A Travel Agent will/can.
Advice As Travel Agents do, please use a computer to research and book BUT if it is an important trip – use a good Travel agent. Their accountability, liability and good humour cannot be matched by a computer.
BEWARE! THE BOW TIE THIEVES
Comments Hotel foyers and conference areas are being targeted by well dressed males and females in suits/bowties. They go to a stranded attache case/laptop/purse and wallet and rescue them! Keep eyes peeled on these items as even the hotel and conference security guards are being caught unaware.
Advice Keep on your hand and inside front pockets any items of value. Carry laptops inside normal bags and not Laptop styled bags. Never leave valuables out of sight and especially in an environment that has strangers about. Even a person standing in a foyer may be scanning your items and not waiting for a person. Speak to Axis Travel Management for more details after you have booked travel with us. We have a FREE debrief session to all wary travellers.
RECONFIRM ON FLIGHT DAY.
Comments Not only 3 days prior, but on actual flight day.
Advice This will be better, rather than wait around airports all day. Ring our office or the airline direct.
GETTING ROBBED IN PARIS
Comments France has seen recently the biggest crime rate they have ever had. The manager of Axis Travel got robbed. After entering the Me tro train, one robber pretending to be blind dropped his keys at our manager’s feet, searched the ground, touching our manager’s ankles, and he moved back while another robber slid his hand into his pocket, taking his wallet. They dashed out, the train departed and the wallet was gone. Their movements are fast, and you are kept pre-occupied. It can all happen in less than 5 seconds.
Advice Keep a copy of all monies and cards, travel light, and use moneybelts under your clothes with no noticeable straps. Do not use a wallet or purse, or keep only small change in it.
TAKE PLASTIC BAGS-not only a condom!
Comments The “Glad” resealable type. Excellent for: soiled clothes, shoes, spare coins, headache tablets, keeping things dry, for wet-ones, tissues, souvenirs etc.
Advice Get them from Home before you leave.
THE AIRLINE CON
Comments If you are offloaded from a confirmd flight issued on correct IATA ticket stock by a reputable Agency (us, for example!) then demand the next flight out, an upgrade or hotel and meals.
Advice Hold confirmed tickets in your hand and demand compensation. Contact us – if we booked you – for any assistance.
DO NOT PAY FOR ALL OPTIONALS
Comments Optional tours can be very, very expensive, and some are not worth it.
Advice Get Axis Travel staff to assist, by giving a comparative breakdown, then you can deicide before you depart.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS WITHOUT THE EXCITEMENT
Comments We regularly obtain overseas updates from Australian and US Embassies. ALWAYS get us to check for you any warnings. Be safe.
Advice Heed our advice and those of stable Governments. Do not become a hero.
CRUISE CABINS . WHICH ONE ?
Comments Positioned near Purser, near the cabns with bedding for kids and noise, near the lifts or stairs, near the Disco, near the library, near the Restaurants, near the Catering areas ? Let us select the best cabins on each cruise. It will usually cost you NO MORE to get us to book the best cabin in the BEST LOCATION (with or without porthole). What price placed experience ??
Advice Entrust us with your total travel arrangements.
EURAIL SECTORS BEAT PASSES.
Comments Allow us to compare rail sectors in Europe and the USA with actual passes. Sometimes you get a better deal to buy a sector with a booking fee than to pay for a whole pass.
Advice We will compare local rates with passes and assist you.
AIRFARES CAN BE SO UNIMPORTANT
Comments When you consider that over 75% of travellers’ monies are spent on land content, cruises, food and tips, airfares should not sway you alone to entrust a travel agent based on price. Professional, hands-on advise when you commit can save you more in the long run.
Advice Get a total component cost when comparing agencies. Always consider the value of the service and expertise. A few pieces of advise has, and always will, save a traveller more money than any airfare differential.
THE LINGO TRICK
Comments Speaking local lingo will help you get a good deal. Try to utter a few words, making it sound as natural as possible.
Advice Learn a foreign language, or use what you know. Say word or short sentences only if you are not confident.
DUTY FREE OR NOT REALLY.
Comments Duty Free in many airports can be more expensive than a Downtown department store.
Advice Have Axis staff investigate costs before you go – we have the resources to do this. A nominal service fee may be levied, but, as was the case recently, we may be able to save up to $600 for you.
EXCESS BAGGAGE IS STINGING MANY.
Comments Airlines are increasingly demanding and obtaining, by right, exceess baggage charges from $18 per kilo. Some people have missed flights because of this.
Advice Get us to pre-arrange excess baggage to most points from $7 per kilo with prepaid insurance. This “Baggage Masters” system is tried and tested, and we have used for 15 years with all major carriers. Don’t be embarrassed.
WE WARNED YOU ABOUT DOUBLE TALKING!
Comments Recently we warned clients to book and pay extra money for a tour with English speaking guides. They opted to save $11 per day, and took a tour with a Guide who spoke German, French, Italian, then English last. They lost track of the sites, and did not enjoy the trip.
Advice Take our 33 years of advise and expertise.
CLAIM BACK GST/VAT taxes
Comments Save up to 22% in local taxes paid from USA, UK, EUROPE and AUST/NZ. Buy products from specific stores, keep receipt, then claim the tax at last airport of that country. The system works well most of the time. e.g. USA savings can be 22%, Europe averages 15%. A small amount of paperwork and mailings is required.
Advice Keep all receipts, buy the minimum required from accredited stores, get to the airport early to do the paperwork, and await REFUND, or your credit card can be credited.
SAFETY WHEN TRAVELING
Comments Constant updates on travel destinations are released for your safety.
Advice Visit www.dfat.gov.au/travel for the most up to date travel information.
BALI CRISIS AWARENESS
Comments Through our Media contacts we had to assist many customers who were not clients of ours. The hardest to track (or try to track) were those who booked via Internet or arrived in BALI without any forward contacts given to family or checking into our Foreign Embassies. Please tell people where you are or get a Travel Agency to be your booking/contact base.
Advice INTERNET BOOKINGS usually leave no trace or reference point for contact to be made. Deliberately or not. AXIS TRAVEL uses Internet as well to book clients Travel BUT at least we know where you are to assist Family/Friends and Govt. GEt us to book Travel and disregard any $20-$50 service fee mentality if you need a solid contact to assist tracking you down. [ Some families spent over $500 tracking loved ones whilst others had to physically fly to BALI to search}
AMERICAN EXPRESS OFFERS ASSURANCE
Comments No matter where you travel, American Express is there to help you out if things go wrong. The Global Assist Service allows you to travel with piece of mind. With local expert assistance only a phone call away, your trip wil be memorable for all the right reasons.
Advice Booking with an American Express office, and using your American Express card whe you travel, gices you the benefits you deserve.
WAR IS DECLARED ON WEBSITE WASTERS
Comments What an amazing time we are having as licensed Travel Agents! So many complaints noted from upset travellers who are too lazy or too unclear or not conversant in accepting heavy cancellation and amendment conditions and fees placed on WEB SITES by carriers and Suppliers. Also their inability to work harder and book a oneway Flight with one carrier and another flight with another carrier on a separtate website to save money ! The trick is-LEAVE IT UP TO PROFESSIONALS who work daily on these very issues! Most travellers are too busy and time constrained to place their Credit card on 2 or 3 different sites in order to get the best airfare or hotel,Car rental, Tour or Cruise deals. They just (and the Airlines etc just love this !) place the trust on all flight sectors, plus other componenets on the easy option via the same site. This means that YOU ARE NOT GETTING the best overall travel deals ! Many times you must book a flight oneway on one site (say Qantas), the return sector on another site (say Virgin or Jetstar) then a Hotel (out of 55,000 ) on another site, a Tour and car rental on another site etc etc.
Advice A professional Travel Agent is privy to all of the sites you can visit PLUS HAVE THEIR OWN CRS (Computer Reservations Systems) and other CUG (CLosed User Group) sites plus in-house reduced corporate prices that are not advertised. AXis Travel has these and more with the AMEX Global Network and 33 years of Industry contacts that money cannot buy. WE use these and grab the very best value (not necessarily the cheapest) from all sites and products and deliver the best overall components. That is why Travel Agents exist.
FOREIGN MONIES AND A CASH CARD
Comments Banks are out to make lots of money and are NOT travel related as we are. WE issue Cash cards that work better, charge less in fees a can be used 24×7 at over 2 million ATM machines -plus we spend time with you on how to best use them and security issues.
Advice Chat with Axis staff
FALSE WALLET
Comments Take two wallets on you One has money to get you by a bit while the other is a wallet Money belt with the important cash and data. If held up-surrender the first minimalistic wallet and Flee !
Advice Open Money belt in a corner or toilet cubicle. Do not be too public- or a hero.
WEARING ROCKPORTS STILL CAUSE PROBLEMS
Comments ROCKPORT shoes are still being made with metal inner linings that set off Airline security machines. Great shoes though!
Advice Wear unsmellable socks-in case!
HOTEL RATES LOWER ON AGENCY COMPUTERS
Comments Internet Hotel rates were 77% higher in a survey we did in DEC for clients. Rates that we had listed on our Computers that are linked direct to hotel Inventories won in over 77% of the bookings. We use CUG (Closed User Group) access and the Internet and compared rates.
Advice The Internet is a tool. We have this tool amongst others at our disposal. Use our expertise to compare and book he best value deals.
 TRAVEL FAIRS
Comments Grab whatever info you like from these  The best deals are NOT always there so do not get caught as a captive audience or coerced. !
Advice Do not let the emotion of the day grab your wallet. Many unprinted specials and deals cannot be had there-but we have them.
SIZE CAN BE PAINFUL.
Comments Some Airports are so long to walk (say DUBAI @ 800 metres) that you MUST have 2 hours transit time if you arrive/depart when 100 other Jumbos arrive !
Advice Get us to advise you-as we would anyway!- of the best MCT (Minimum Connecting Time) to suit your connections. Also we will be alerted in most cases if a Security clampdown exists at Airports to let you know.
South Australian GOVERNMENT warns that illegal pseudo-QANTAS sites are a CON !
Comments Over Xmas/Newyear 2010 some WEB sites promoted cheap airfares on Qantas. They where not authorised sites and many lost $$. Be very, very aware of this strategy that applies to many reputable suppliers. The Axis site is (of course) bonafide, licensed, authorised and registered.We also have our own Bricks and Mortar! Book with us.
Advice Check out WEB SITE “QANTAS: or “PLANITGO” and book and have issued your own Tickets or reserch what you like and let us do it all for you.
B PAY TRANSACTIONS etc
Comments Please never place your PIN number on cards or wallets or where it can be used. Keep PIN numbers in your head. Some clients are being debited as PIN numbers were found.
Advice Use our Signature on File facility (download a Form via “Forms/Useful Links” section on this site. We hold this data on a separate-non-internet linked encrypted section, externally.
USE RECOMMENDED SITES TO GET A DEAL
Comments SAVE 20% OFF OF QANTAS CLUB LOUNGE ACCESS SAVE 20% on QANTAS CLUB MEMBERSHIP Join Australias’ favourite Frequent Flyer site,www.frequentflyerclub.com.au and get 20% discount on Qantas Club Membership. Valid for Australian and NZ residents only. Joining fee is only $79 with other Travel Insurance, Car rental etc discounts in addition to the excellent MIleage checking and free Newsletter advantages.
Advice Place joining fee of the www.frequentflyerclub.com.au @ $99 and your chosen QF CLUB period fee against a linked Credit/Charge card and score more Freq Flyer points!
CHEAP HOTEL ROOMS-but nowhere to stay
Comments We have all heard these before. WE have direct access to Hotels throughout the World (via  SABRE and our own Corporates rates)or within Australia to get you room availability with discounted corporate rates. Book them yourself online-print out a Voucher and take it with you. Grab a room. Grab a bed.
Advice Book them yourself online-print out a Voucher and take it with you. Grab a room. Grab a bed.
CAR RENTAL and 4WD RENTALS
Comments WE have direct access to CAR HIRE throughout the World, to get you vehicle availability with discounted corporate rates.
Advice Book them yourself online-print out a Voucher and take it with you. Grab a car. Drive away !
CAR RENTAL payment of damages.
Comments Some smaller Companies are debiting car returns for damages that you may/may not have caused. Please INSPECT car befoe and AFTER you return and get Car rental staff to sign off that all was OK.
Advice It is YOUR Word against theirs if a dispute happens. Get it in writing -take a digital photo maybe ??
CRUISE CABINS are not the same
Comments For same costs we can usually get you the newly refurbished cabin, nearest the staircase or lift, on correct arrival Port side, nearby the Gym or Casino or whatever. Brochures cannot do this properly.
Advice We can and even have Cabin numbers and photos to assist. Let us get you the best deal at no extra cost. See our “CRUISECO” pages hereon.
MEDICINES STAY WITH YOU
Comments Keep these in cabin bag or on you personally if needed. If they are placed in baggage and that goes astray and you might get sick or die. Now that would not be nice PLUS such medicines may also be hard/impossible to get in Tibet!
Advice Keep in all original packaging with a Doctors letter if you are taking more than 3 packages.
FINDING NEMO-FINDING ZERO
Comments Illegal copies of DVD’s is not allowed. In fact a hefty fine can be imposed on such imports if bought (say) in Vietnam or Korea for $2 each. The newest scam is selling a Package that is color and a DVD exists inside-but there is ZERO tracks/film. Too late to drive back or fly back to complain !
Advice BUY originals in a sealed unit or do as Dr Kiro from the Sisios Acoustic University suggests and get to view portion of Discs before you buy.
CD and DVD shopping in Asia
Comments Bargains galore, but the DVD and CD copies that you purchase are better quality in Malaysia. Other countries use faster and less ingenious technology and many copies lose the quality. NOTE that technically you infringe Copyright Laws when buying copies
Advice You decide what to buy. TOWER and VIRGIN Records sell these at 30-40% less than many shops in Australia and are legitimate. Axis Staff will tell you where to get the best deals.
PENANG WITH SURPRISE SHOPPERS!
Comments Shopping is usually best value in Capital Cities BUT Penang in Malaysia actually has better outdoor stalls/shopping bargains than most of Asia. Leathergoods, CD-DVD, clothes and ties/belts are better here  than other cities.
Advice Get Axis staff to pinpoint where and when to get the best deals at the Night Markets and some shopping centres.
AXIS TRAVEL SMART PAK!
Comments Thanks for the excellent reports we are getting back on our FREE Smartpaks. Just ask us for one when travelling Overseas. It contains very unusual and tried/tested items that Travellers may use on travel. Value around $50 but actual usefulness is valued at much, much more.
Advice FREE to our valued clients. Sent with documents or when pickup is made.
DO THE MALAYSIAN MEGAN-MEGAWALK
Comments Walking around a city will make you discover the essence, culture and ambience better as some travellers are now discovering. PENANG- Start @ the E&O Hotel, walk around the “Garage” and then up Jalan Penang Road visiting both sides for excellent leather, antique and casual clothes/shoe shopping.Historical landmarks abound with easy walking access and road signages. KUALA LUMPUR- Either travel from Parkroyal Hotel area shopping precinct (Sungei Wang Plaza ) to China Town or vice versa, walking without stopping up to 2 hrs or with shopping is anybodys’ guess!. Take good shoes and a water bottle. Use Jalan Ismail as the focus road, with mosques, major Corporation buildings and shopping centres around. A solid walk but lined with nice walkpaths, gardens and small shops to have a refresher. There are ample large color Bustop style maps as well to ensure this megan-megawalk is done without major loss of direction ! An excellent 25 minute walk from the magnificent Petronas Towers to the Parkroyal Hotel area is recommended. If going from Parkroyal to Chinatown, start @ 6.30pm plus and end up in China Town to reach their markets last.
Advice Speak to Axis Travel experts for additional walking ideas for Malaysia and other areas of the world. Make sure you invest in good walk shoes, cotton clothes and a sense of adventure.
INDONESIA AND OTHER WARNINGS
Comments Please note that effective 09th Sept 2004 Travel to Jakarta can be postponed or cancelled on most Airlines and Hotels with Tour Companies will allow full refunds-some less a minor fee- for all affected travellers. THIS DOES NOT APPLY to Bali Bookings or mostly to those travellers who booked via the Internet direct or used unlicensed Agents/websites. http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
Advice ALWAYS use Axis Travel to co-ordinate your important Travel. One contact-One human can alleviate the hassles of cancelling,postponing and advising you where a Computer (which you are looking at now!) cannot do this. It is times like this that service, advice and human one-to-one contact defies monetary (if that exists anyway) differentials.
INTERNET WARSTORY OF RATES GONE BAD
Comments Customer was referred to us about a problem when they booked three Asian Hotels via INTERNET by themselves as it saved them 5-6% from booking same Hotel via a Travel Agency. PROBLEM is that HOTELS have amended exchange rates 3 times in 2 months and new costs in AUD$ now 11% more than most Travel Agency rates. CLient has already deposited and will lose $$ if he cancels. Silly move by customer. (Not a client of Axis Travel-but a customer of another Agency referred to us to try and assist him)
Advice BOOK Travel via a licensed and registered Travel Agency that Australia are protected by TCF (Travel Compensation Fund) and AFTA and IATA and has the bricks and mortar and reputation at stake. AXIS TRAVEL deals with rates and Hotels and OPerators that “lock in” exchange rates with a small %% variation to ensure changes do not occur much. This person will eventually be out of pocket not only financially, but lost time and the risk of dealing with a non-Australian Operator/Hotel/Website.
DO NOT SMELL THE PERFUME!
Comments This is not fiction. Asian and South American gangs are asking (usually females) to smell perfume when shopping but normally in crowded places or carparks to “see if you like to purchase”. The scent is powerful, the traveller faints and is either robbed or worse.
Advice Please smell only from shopping complexes or crowded areas when travelling with friends or not at all. This can be extremely dangerous-especially for single persons. Females are usually the victims but males have also been caught out. Another Axis Travel scoop.
DVD and CD and VIDEO PURCHASES CAN COST YOU MUCH!
Comments Into most western countries strict Copyright laws exist. You are technically NOT allowed to buy from overseas copies. IF you do purchae a non-commercial quantity (say 10 CDs, 10 DVD’s of different types-not all the same) Australian Customs usually turns a blind eye. If you buy many of the same or bulk-you can expect these to be taken off you and maybe fined.
Advice Purchase-at risk- small personal quantities. Maybe pay more and buy from overseas Dept stores as they tend to be better quality and some are licensed to sell copies fro the Copyright holdres-so that is OK.
INTERNATIONAL CAR RENTAL RIP OFFS
Comments So often we get stories-and cannot assist-travellers who pay for a Rental Car overseas that WE HAVE NOT PREBOOKED/PREPAID ON THEIR BEHALF – usually and they are billed for excess, unusual addon charges, insurance payouts, damage to vehicles after return that they were not aware of, second driver fees, Airport levies , ridiculous Petrol fillup costs etc. ONCE YOU SIGN OFF THE RENTAL CONTRACT-you can be literally liable for all of the above if not more.
Advice Prebook and prepay Rentals via Axis Travel. We have been booking vehicles for over 26 years and know in each Country which is the best , licensed, reliable and trustworthy Company to do business with. We suggest to prepay or at least prebook with us so we can ensure you get what you pay for, we add our License number and credentials to the booking and we assist in any disputes. WE only use the best Companies and will not reduce our standards to deliver a low price that can cost you thousands of dollars plus amazing legal fees and time ulcers. Our reduced Corporate rates are extended as well. A recent non-reversible claim was $3,000 damage excess that the traveller had to pay in full as the cost of instigating Lawyers interpreting International laws and proving no-negligence was a no-go. You have been warned. (There are any unscrupulous Car rental companies out there !).
NOT ALL WEBSITES ARE THE SAME!
Comments .Our site is a true unbiased portal site and we give you the entire worldwide CHOICE under our one accredited, licenced and encrypted site-at no extra cost! WE WORK FOR OUR CLIENTS-NOT THE SUPPLIERS !
Advice There are NO booking forms and NO hassles and the all ONLINE bookings carry NO SERVICE or BOOKING FEES. What you see is what you get. Our site is totally unbiased allowing you to choose from any Airline any Hotel, any car rental company plus Travel Insurance, Cruises and Tours. Each and every booking made ONLINE or even OFFLINE (direct with our Agency) gives you a chance to win. So, NOT ALL WEBSITES are the same !
TELSTRA OVERSEAS etc
Comments Always ensure that , if taking your PDA or PHONE or NOTEBOOK, that you are switched onto GPRS or GLobal Roaming with exact format of how to phone home, retrieve Messages on Hold and also how to phone between your Mobile overseas and another persons mobile inside the same country you are visiting ! This might sound simple-but if may not be and it is the simple things in life that we take for granted that can cause us most pain!
Advice Contact Telstra or Voda or whoever BEFORE you leave. Contact your local Computer person if need be as well.
AUSTRALIAN AIRFARE DEALS! DO not be fooled.
Comments The current spate of cheap airfare deals can mislead you into securing a cheap airticket only to pay more for a Car rental, Hotel or Tour IF YOU USE THAT SAME WEBSITE to do so. The Axis Travel website or contacting us direct will allow you to grab the best Qantas or Virgin or Jetstar deal and we extend not only “their” best deals but our well-established corporate discounted delas, our Packaged deals and our exclusive Hot Travel Special deals. Even with ticket fees and whatever Airline you decide to travel with-we give you more choice, more value and the best OVERALL DEAL. WE DO NOT WORK FOR THE AIRLINES_we work for you ! IF you respect our time and expertise-we respect your business!
Advice Don’t be fooled. Get Axis Travel ONLINE advice and book Airlines via our site or contact our staff to do so OFFLINE. We offer you the choice in both prices and facilities and professional advice.
HOTEL CARDS TO SEE YOU BACK
Comments In a foreign city-grab a Hotel card from the conceirge or Front desk with Hotel data in English and that local language.
Advice Great for local Police, taxi or buses to direct you if ever lost
GET YOUR FOREIGN EXCHANGE MONIES ONLINE!
Comments In a world first, and we really mean this !- AXIS TRAVEL CENTRE extends to all travellers the ability to order and collect Foreign currencies and/or AMEX Travellers cheques online. You need not have booked your Travel with us(although that would have been nice!) to secure these monies. You pay online via B-PAY and collect from any AMEX Foreign Exchange Office listed on-screen or at our Agency address in Adelaide. There is NO COLLECTION FEE or paperwork. Just provide Photo ID and collect your foreign monies. Do not forget that AMEX Travellers Cheques are the worlds’ most popular and provide their 24 hour moneybaclk guarantee- see details online. A world first. Use it now! Tell your friends and family and work colleagues.
Advice Go to our section on this site called FOREIGN EXCHANGE. An absolutely unique and efficient service-endorsed by Axis Travel and American Express Foreign Exchange services.
FREE QANTAS Freq Flyer points when you book a Cruise with us !
Comments In and industry first, you can get 1 QF Freq Flyer point for every $1.50 you spend when you buy a Cruise from exclusive “CRUISECO” through us. [Only 100 Travel Agents out of 4,000 in Australia are “CRUISECO” accredited] This FREE QF point system applies to the entire Cruise cost and any Air cost that is associated with that Cruise you book. Does not apply to paid taxes and port charges. Now the best news is also that YOU NEED NOT FLY QANTAS to get these points ! Lokk under our “CRUISECO” link on this site or contact our staff to see what is available and secure your Cruise and QF points ! The majority of the worlds’ Cruises can be booked by you to gain these QF Freq Flyer points. DOUBLE YOUR POINTS: By booking your next cruise this way and also using a linked Credit or Charge card that you may have. You get QF Freq Flyer points by using your purchasing card as well as this amazing CRUISECO offer. UP TO TRIPLE POINTS: Can be collected if you also get AXIS TRAVEL CENTRE to book you First class Travel to connect with your Cruise. Alaska/Caribbean and Eurpean voyages are usually booked 18 months in advance to secure the best cabins. BOOK VERY EARLY!
Advice This is an EXCLUSIVE OFFER and must be placed into our Travel “Hints” section !
BAGGAGE security
Comments There has been much commentary lately about Baggage security. AXis Travel suggests taht ALL baggage is locked and secured as best you can to make it harder to cut into or open. SEE OUR “HOT SPECIALS:” section for a debrief and PHOTO of a suitcase locking procedure that we suggest you use. WE suggest a Hard case, with 3 locks (One Combo and 2 keyed), an exterior Strap with metal brace locks, labels with Work address or other address with occupants present whilst you are away, wheels and removal of any old Hotel or Airline tags.
Advice WE suggest a Hard case, with 3 locks (One Combo and 2 keyed), an exterior Strap with metal brace locks, labels with Work address or other address with occupants present whilst you are away, wheels and removal of any old Hotel or Airline tags.
10 SMART WAYS TO GO TRAVELLING
Comments We live in a big world full of small minds. Protect your lives and remain in contact with those you love and admire by following these 10 easy steps. Axis Travel Centre extends FREE Worldwide Customer Care services at over 1,700 Travel Agencies in over 130 countries. Ask our staff when booking. REMEMBER that your travel experience must be based on Agency experience, expertise, advice and integrity-not just a price.
Advice Top 10 Travel Tips for Australian passport holders: Check the latest travel advice for your destination and subscribe to receive instant e-mail notification each time the travel advice for your destination is updated. Take out appropriate Axis Travel recommended (at least!) travel insurance to cover hospital treatment, medical evacuation and any activities, including adventure sports, in which you plan to participate. Before travelling overseas register your details online or, when overseas, register in-person at any Australian embassy, high commission or consulate. Check to see if you require visas for the country or countries you are visiting or transiting. Be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry. Make copies of your passport details, insurance policy, travellers cheques, visas and credit card numbers. Carry one copy in a separate place to the originals and leave a copy with someone at home. Check with health professionals for information on recommended vaccinations or other precautions and find out about overseas laws on travelling with medicines. Make sure your passport has at least six months validity and carry additional copies of your passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas. Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with someone at home and keep in regular contact with friends and relatives while overseas. Before departing Australia check whether you are regarded as a national of the country you intend to visit. Research whether holding dual nationality has any implications for your travel. Obey the law. Consular assistance cannot override local laws, even where local laws appear harsh or unjust by Australian standards. Get AXis Travel to explain the free WORLDWIDE CUSTOMER CARE SERVICES to you extended via our AMEX linkages.
Correct Travel Insurance is critical-Do Not get fooled!
Comments AXIS TRAVEL Staff are accredited and our Company is authorised to advise and assist you with issuance of Travel Industry relevant Travel Insurance protection. DO NOT BE FOOLED by empty Insurance Policies or those that are “free” or “cheap” attached to Credit and Charge Cards/Banks. This article explains some of the pitfalls. Get AXIS TRAVEL to assist you in Travel Insurance policies or you can read the FULL CONDITIONS BEFORE COMMITTING via this website ONLINE. You may issue Insurance by yourself online (saving 5% via QBE) or have us issue on your behalf. QBE Policies also give you Free QANTAS points or you are welcome to compare with Travelscence/Amex Policy also on our website here. We not only offer you the choice to choose but also the choice to issue ONLINE or have our staff to do so for you OFFLINE.
Advice You may issue Insurance by yourself online (saving 5% via QBE) or have us issue on your behalf. QBE Policies also give you Free QANTAS points or you are welcome to compare with Travelscence/Amex Policy also on our website here. We not only offer you the choice to choose but also the choice to issue ONLINE or have our staff to do so for you OFFLINE.
THE PHONE BEATS THE COMPUTER-without fail!
Comments For speed, efficiency, security, personal touch, human rapport and delivery of travel-the Telephone beats any Computer system or software program.! Although AXIS TRAVEL operate on state-of-the art software and high-end hardware-our clients have agreed that a quick phone call to our staff still cannot be beat! We know the needs, a client can say a few sentences in under 20 seconds that will allow us to book their needs, guarantee secured interface with their profile and payment method, respond to them via phonecall-email or fax and confirm an entire booking in less time than it takes to power-up any laptop, computer or PDA. You cannot beat the human touch!
Advice Use a computer, but if you want dedicated personal services delivered with security and a warm sense of no electrical or computer downtime-pick up the phone. A definite trend with our loyal clients has been lately that they DO NOT HAVE TIME to waste searching, trusting, reconfirming, changing, getting no computer responses and then thinking that they have secured the best deals via a computer. You cannot ever replace time or wasted effort-so trust a Axis Travel qualified travel professional to do it for you.
MANY LOW COST AIRLINES ARE GOING BROKE 
Comments .As with all AIRLINES-they and you are NOT protected by the TCF (Travel Compensation Fund) in Australia and monies are not refundable. Axis Travel is a member of the TCF and also AFTA, IATA , AMEX – holding the higheset accreditations available. Any clients who booked a Package with us are totally protected in most cases. Travel Insurance DID NOT COVER Air Paradise claims neither.
Advice CLIENTS are not protected if they book direct with an Airline or via most internet sites. You are totally on your own. Booking through a licensed, accredited and trusted Agency can protect monies paid. If you think that you might save money by NOT using Axis Travel-you might be in for a huge shock. If you also think that saving $25 etc is worth taking a risk on an entire travel plan, Holiday or large investment-then think seriously about that ! Since 1978 we have seen Airlines and Companies disintegrate with clients monies. Axis Travel provide not only the service-but the security, the longevity, the reputation and the choice of travel products/carriers and unlimited advice. You have been warned-AGAIN!
BIASED AIRLINE SITES-WE CANNOT HELP YOU ONCE DONE!
Comments We are getting too many reports that travellers are booing an international airfare and then discovering that conditions of changes or cancellations or a better route and fare is available elsewhere!
Advice Once you commit yourself you are just that-committed. International travel is far too complex with so many permutations to rely on an in-human computer database that is built and developed by airlines along biased and one-sided databases. TRUST and RELY upon Axis Travel to give you unbiased, multiple options with accreditations and human services attached.
First and Business Class airtravel HINT CHECKLIST
Comments After 28 years of experiencing and booking First and Businessclass airtickets and related travel, this is our “much requested” Checklist that we use and get questioned by both clients and also travel Media about. When next you have our staff book any First or Business class travel-think about the overall values and not just the price of the airticket ! We hope this CHECKLIST and QUESTIONING helps.
Advice “EDUCATIONAL” CHECKLIST – CREATED IN 1978 First class fares and services should NOT be considered by price alone. You must get the best return on your overall Investment-not just one component. The total travel experience must be considered AXIS TRAVEL CENTRE @ Tranmere, South Australia are dedicated experts in all facets of First Class and Business Class Air, Cruise, Hotel, Transfer, Tour and “specialized Travel arrangements. Consider these questions and facts before you decide………  What is the integrity of your seating request, meal, wheelchair, assistance and special needs?  What is the Airline Check in facility and lounge access (not only in home port!) like?  Ability to credit Frequent flyer points-as some special fares disallow points to accrue!  Ability to amend, exchange, upgrades, vary or cancel a flight, a route or a date.  Free accommodation support en-route or not if it is their fault or a lack of connectivity.  Are there International offices to accommodate changes + extend superior services (in English?)  Ability to interline with other carriers or Alliance partner airlines of same Network.  Can you use code-share flights or are!!  What is the Airline ability in having multiple schedules/routes/policy to allow emergency changes?  Ability of Travel Agency to use knowledge / contacts to ensure you are treated as a superior traveller  Ability to fly on newer aircraft, or more direct flights on a ticket, as some Airline now surcharge this ability or disallow tickets to be used on specific aircraft or flight numbers .How flexible is the air ticket ?  Does Airline offer an Arrival dedicated lane to speedily pass through a dedicated Immigration line!  Will the Business or First class ticket be payable by you against a credit/Charge card? THE their dates that are blacklisted. (Usually hidden in fine-print)  Does this Airline also offer bonus discounted Hotel rates, Tour, cruise + transfer rates?  Limousine transfers! bonus points, shopping .. • An unknown fact is that bookings made direct with an Airline are not protected by the TCF, plus they do not include the totality of our protections/security package of our accreditations with AFTA, IATA and AMEX. [They also do not include our staff expertise who deliver the human-touch!] Internet bookings remain risky and unstable with many Travel Agents also unable to offer you our overall advantages and benefits, such as our 28 year longevity, Award winning services and expert services. We remain proud of our complete, full-services. See www.axistravel.com.au to discover our points of difference.
YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN!
Comments As the Media is noticing, from a simple Domestic Travel booking to an elongated International Cruise or Holiday Booking, if you book online, direct or via an unregistered source-you are definitely on your own to : Adjust, amend, cancel, exchange, update, speak to a qualified human or vary in any way. The Australian Federation of Travel Agents are also joining Media reports and confirming that you need to trust a licensed and accredited Travel Agent if you want security, legal protection and assistance. Axis Travel has been there since 1978.
Advice Think beyond the square. Be backed by a human contact, expertise and experience of AXIS TRAVEL before you comit monies. Search all forms of media and Internet but commit important Travel arrangements and your monies to AXIS to get AFTA, TCF, IATA, Consumer Affairs and AMEX backup. It is not much good THINKING That you have saved monies if you have not and have nowhere to go is changes or problems occur.
YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN!
Comments As the Media is noticing, from a simple Domestic Travel booking to an elongated International Cruise or Holiday Booking, if you book online, direct or via an unregistered source-you are definitely on your own to : Adjust, amend, cancel, exchange, update, speak to a qualified human or vary in any way. The Australian Federation of Travel Agents are also joining Media reports and confirming that you need to trust a licensed and accredited Travel Agent if you want security, legal protection and assistance. Axis Travel has been there since 1978.
Advice Think beyond the square. Be backed by a human contact, expertise and experience of AXIS TRAVEL before you comit monies. Search all forms of media and Internet but commit important Travel arrangements and your monies to AXIS to get AFTA, TCF, IATA, Consumer Affairs and AMEX backup. It is not much good THINKING That you have saved monies if you have not and have nowhere to go is changes or problems occur.
WALLET WITH CHAINS.
Comments Wallets can be stolen from ANY pocket. A small razorblade slash or quick fingers can do this trick.
Advice Buy a chained Wallet or do your own-attach to waist area or belt hook or leg..
VIRTUALLY THERE- Your free linkage on our website to check your Travel arrangements ONLINE. 24 x 7.
Comments A free service on this WEB SITE to allow you to check your Travel from any point worldwide-via laptop,Hote room, Internet Cafe, Airport lounge etc.
Advice Essential to get your updated flight changes or whatever -in “real time” We will give you a simple PIN booking number that will give you access each time you book. No need to phone home, wait on hold in a foreign city or language barriers. Do it yourself-FREE.
DO NOT DISTURB is a no-no.
Comments HOTEL rooms with such a sign or “PLEASE DO MY ROOM” can invite break-ins. Think about it! Try NOT to display these signs.
Advice Why advertise to all the room occupancy or not!Phone reception and minimise the risks.
CD WRITER PENS ARE BEST
Comments Buy a CD Writer texta, as they do not smudge and write on plastics. Use this to place your room number onto a Hotel Card key and also on baggage tags. Bggage tags on suitcases go into heavy weather condition cubicles with wet and moisture. These textas are great.
Advice Only negative is that once you place your Room number on the card-and it is lost, it may alert robbers. Many Hotels are issuing Room Cards without that Hotels’ logo and name. This is good
WAITING TIME AT BANKS AND SILLY PAPERWORK!
Comments WE issue Foreign monies
Advice We guarantee that you can save lining up in a Bank Q, filling in paperwork and being treated like a second rate citizen! Use our service now ! Tap into FX4U-Foreign Monies section on LHS panel.
BUNDY IS GOOD. BUNDY IS GOD !
Comments Bundy Rum made in Queensland is worth megabucks in Asia and USA east coast Take it as a gift or bribe!
Advice BUY originals as your legal allowance of 1 litre each adult allowance and do a trade deal !
Don’t bring up your Brampton breakfast!
Comments If your buget allows, why not take a different journey to Brampton Island (Whitsundays, Queensland Australia)…. on the helicopter both ways. The ferry will leave you looking terribly green around the gills and wishing you’d spent the extra dollars on the chopper.
Advice Get staff at Axis travel to book your breathtaking Brampton transfers along with the complete flights and accommodation package.
DRINKS FROM BARS/NIGHTCLUBS
Comments Even in Australia, the concept of spiked drinks is happenning far too often. Care must be taken and looked at. The new era of liquid drugs is here (inside of glases can be smeared or liquid added) or small tablets dropped.
Advice Either watch the Bar person serve your drinks or obtain cans/bottles only. DO NOT take from a 3rd unknown party as the liquid or drugs that can be placed can cause drowsiness or death.
CREDIT CARD SCAMS ON THE INCREASE
Comments Skimming-obtaining your Credit Card details for future illedal swipes, telling you that your Card was declined (when it was not ) so they keep your data or just stealing your card is again on the increase.
Advice Always watch the shop/purchase to ensure your card is within eye view and (most importantly) check each months Statements against your receipts BEFORE paying. Maybe now you will appreciate and respect and understand why Axis Travel staff insist on your Card with bonafide Photo ID and orders from the actual cardmember only! These measures are to protect YOU against such incidences.
Comments Report reveals word-of-mouth sells more holidays than TV. ======================================== Between 1999 and 2010, the percentage of UK adults taking three or more holidays per year rose from around 11% to over 13%. In a new report released today by leading market intelligence provider Key Note, it is revealed that word of mouth prompts nearly half of all holidays taken in the UK, above television advertising and brochures.
Advice Rather than being convinced by what you read and view on TV, the Internet and written Media-trust those that you trust. Get a personal opinion and maybe more. What price can you place on such advice ! That is why experienced Travel Agency staff are so important to connect with…..
AIRLINE COMPENSATION-New rules in Europe.
Comments Flights that are delayed for specific reasons now need to compensate you via meals, transfers, hotels or place you aboard another suitable flight or free tickets are issued. Check with Airlines. NOT APPLICABLE to some charter Airlines or inlicensed flights.
Advice Get Axis Travel to advise you best and also check if you are delayed by more than 5 hrs in UK and Europe. If meeting an important deadline-sometimes it pays you to get us to book a scheduled, licensed flight and not a Charter one.