November 21

A recent 'Doc's quick fix' on currency for Japan suggested using a credit card to make cash transfers in a bank as possibly the easiest exchange method - I always thought this was expensive! As a frequent visitor to Japan I have discovered the cheapest way is to use a Nationwide FlexAccount card at almost any Post Office ATM (even in remote areas). There are no charges related to this and a better than average rate of exchange. A list of Post Offices can be obtained from any branch of Nationwide. Michael Laughton, by email

November 17

As of September 7, United Airlines reduced its international baggage allowance from 32kg to 23kg per case for up to a maximum two cases per passenger. Unfortunately this important information was not amended on the baggage allowance terms of the UK flight receipt and itinerary I received just a couple of days prior to departure, nor was it on my e-ticket information or e-mail confirmation. I therefore packed my belongings in accordance with your previous terms. This compete lack of information led to a penalty $50 fine at check in on November 12. Of course this isn't a fortune but extremely irritating considering both my cases were well below the original limit - Victoria Bettridge, via e-mail

Steve Keenan, Online Travel Editor, writes: You are right - United did reduce its baggage allowance on September 7. So did Continental Airlines, both applying a $25 penalty per case for overweight bags. But a spokesman at United tells me: "Our policy is clear, the new weights only apply to tickets purchased on or after September 7." If your tickets were purchased before this date, United invites you to apply for a refund - "I can only apologise if she was wrongly charged," he added.

November 15

I've booked flights with BA to go to Munich on December 23 and return on January 2. These are non-flexible tickets. Circumstances have changed and we want to fly out on another day now. The booking for the outward trip can't be amended or refunded, fair enough. But we'd still want to return on Jan 2 on the same flight. BA tell me that they must cancel both legs, and I must pay for the return flights again.... even though the seats I buy, will probably be the ones I've already paid for. Apart from "Rules are Rules" no-one at BA can offer an explanation for this - John Taylor, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey

November 12

I booked a return flight on my credit card with bmibay from Knock to Manchester for travel on October 22 but was unable to fly. I contacted bmibaby and requested they refund the taxes amounting to €44.54 for this flight as I hadn't used it. However, they informed me that it wasn't company policy to do so. Is this the case? I do know that Aer Lingus and Ryanair will refund the tax paid if the customer does not fly. I won't book with bmibaby again. Karen Hunter

Ginny McGrath of Times Online Travel says: The appeal of cheap air travel is the potential cost saving, but when you buy a cheap ticket and do not use it, you can't expect to get a refund for the fare element. But what about the taxes and charges?

Government taxes and assorted charges now comprise a huge proportion of the cost of air tickets, or in many cases, make up the bulk of the ticket. In theory airlines should refund this part of the ticket price, but in practice they are often reluctant to do so because it costs them money in administration and paperwork, a cost that may be passed onto the customer. It's often a case of, if you don't ask, you don't get.

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