Airline warns against online scammers

A major low-cost airline has warned flyers to remain vigilant against scams involving fake customer service contacts circulating on social media.

AirAsia's advisory followed the circulation of online posts displaying a phone number falsely claimed to be an official AirAsia customer service line.

AirAsia confirmed that the number is not affiliated with the airline and is suspected to be part of a scam targeting travellers seeking assistance with their bookings.

AirAsia clarified that it does not operate customer service via phone calls and urged customers to be vigilant about anyone claiming to represent the airline. 

All official customer support services are available either through the AskBo bot, or the airline’s digital support platform.

Guests can access AskBo via the AirAsia MOVE app or through AirAsia’s official digital platforms to receive assistance with flight bookings, schedule changes, travel information and other services.

AirAsia encourages travellers to always verify information through official AirAsia channels, including the airline’s website and verified social media accounts, especially during the peak Hari Raya travel period.

Customers are encouraged to visit www.airasia.com or access the AirAsia MOVE app.

Anyone for a kebab marinated in Guinness?

With an apparent target market of well-off bogans, a Guinness kebab, marinated in the famous Irish black stout, is being launched this week for the start of the Six Nations rugby tournament.

The Guinness kebab will be available for six weeks during the tournament in Box bar locations across the UK, including London, Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham, industry website drinks business reports.

Priced from £12.95 (that's a stonking $25.50 in Aussie money), the beef kofta is marinated in Guinness, "giving the meat the deep, rich flavour," before being wrapped in a hand-made flatbread, drizzled with a sticky homemade Guinness chipotle glaze and topped with fresh mint yoghurt.

The snack is designed to look like a pint of Guinness.

“Our new Guinness kebab is a playful nod to our Irish friends ahead of the Six Nations, whilst also tapping into our favourite night out food as Brits – the kebab," says Tom Mayer-Jones, brand and marketing manager at Box.

"We’ve brought these two things together in a way that feels true to Box - bold, social, and a meal designed to be enjoyed alongside big sporting moments.”

Prices may vary across locations with the kebab being priced at £14.95 in Box Piccadilly.

“We’re inviting everyone down to Box to watch the rugby and enjoy our new menu item,” Mayer-Jones added.

Those indulging in the Guinness kebab are being encouraged to share their pictures, videos and experiences via Instagram and TikTok and tagging in the @theboxbaruk handle.

OK. We get it. It's a publicity stunt. But it has got some traction. 

Wine industry stupidity a very bad look

The wine industry in Australia is under severe pressure. 

There is an excess supply of fruit; young people are turning away from wine and the anti-alcohol lobby gets louder and louder. 

It certainly doesn't help when young industry leaders make complete fools of themselves - and attract national negative attention. 

The Coonawarra Vignerons have apologised after posting social media images of members wearing T-shirts reading "drink more, die younger".

The guilty folk were members of the the "Next Crop" leadership program and included some high-profile names. 

The Next Crop courses included "cultural awareness, authentic leadership, strategic thinking, wellbeing for leaders, environmental, social and governance responsibilities, persuasive storytelling and collaborative impact". But not common sense.

The social media post, later deleted, attracted negative comments questioning the slogan's appropriateness, before the photo was edited to obscure the "die younger" part of the shirts. 

A very bad look. 

After being sent questions from the ABC, Coonawarra Vignerons said it "sincerely apologised" for the post.

"Their attire, featuring irresponsible messaging around alcohol, was not endorsed by Coonawarra and does not reflect the values or professionalism of our members or the association, nor the responsible approach to alcohol consumption that our industry proudly upholds," the statement to the ABC said. 

"We take this matter seriously and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the photograph and the lapse in judgement by those involved.

"Coonawarra Vignerons remains committed to fostering wellbeing, cultural awareness and social responsibility across our community and industry."

The T-shirt slogan attracted criticism from Substance Misuse Limestone Coast, while Finlaysons law firm partner Will Taylor - who is also a former winemaker and travels around the country working with the industry on social responsibilities – said the wine industry needed to take the issue seriously.

Image: Facebook

Cruise line infuriates passengers

 

Imagine booking an adults only cruise holiday and then being told that no, actually kids are being allowed on board.

That's what happened to northern hemisphere customers booked on "adults only" P&O Cruises voyages that have now been opened up to families with children, news hub Travel Mole reported.

Some unhappy customers, sold a dud, are not impressed. There have been no offers of compensation.

The cruise line said this week that it would reverse its previous policy and allow children on some sailings during peak holiday periods and in time for Christmas next year on long-time "adults only" ships Aurora and Arcadia.

On social media loyal P&O passengers have expressed disbelief and anger. One passenger wrote: “If I wanted kids around, I’d book Iona.” Another said: “I chose P&O for adult-only cruises. I’m not sure I’ll bother now.” 

Menus for children will be available together with baby changing and bottle warming facilities and both ships will now offer entertainment and activities for all ages to enjoy.

The cruise line said guests can apply for a full refund or reschedule their dates. Guests must notify the cruise line by December 1, 2025, if they wish to cancel or re-book.

Tone deaf Carnival UK & P&O Cruises associate vice president, sales and distribution Ruth Venn ignored the fact that those who booked for adult cruises will not be getting what they paid for.

“Recent CLIA data showed that multi-generational travel is a rising trend," she said. "Over 30% of families are now cruising with at least two generations onboard.

“In response to guest feedback and increasing demand we are excited to invite all ages to join Arcadia and Aurora on selected holidays, meaning the whole family can come together to experience these elegant ships."

I guess it is hard to defend the indefensible.

Arcadia and Aurora will continue to offer holidays exclusively for adults for the much of the year.

How to deal with dim-witted scammers

There are scammers lurking just about everywhere you look nowadays.

They send emails, make phone calls, try to engage on Facebook, or send SMS messages saying how impressed they are with your resumé.

They may be in Nigeria, Uzbeksitan or from down the road. 

Because my profile makes it clear I have interest in travel, there are some particularly dim-witted felons who assume that I own an AirBnB property.

Not only do I not use AirBnB any more (given the growing number of complaints and absurd cleaning charges), I certainly would not want to own and operate one.

But that does not stop these fools wasting their time - and mine - by sending a stream of emails containing complete nonsense purporting to come from booking.com or other booking agencies.

Here is one of today's moronic emails (they come from generic emails like booking_437553@icloud.com so are easy to spot):

Dear Partner,

We are writing on behalf of a guest who has stayed at your hotel through Booking.com. Unfortunately, there has been an issue with their stay. the guest was forced to leave your hotel before the paid check-out date! Due to serious misconduct on the part of the facility and staff.

Due to this, the guest has left a complaint against your property.

It is extremely important to resolve this issue as soon as possible, otherwise we will be forced to completely block your hotel on our platform!

Then there is a Guest Compaint logo for you to click onto. Yep. Today's piss poor scammer was too stupid to spell complaint correctly. 

But getting you to click is, of course, is the end game. 

If you are dim enough to click they will try to access your computer and its files. And your bank details.

Do not engage. Block these fools. All of them. 

You can, however, have a bit of fun with the scam callers, who are usually working out of a call centre.

I take great delight in pretending to be a senile old man. Asking them to repeat their spiel again and again. Making them wait for long periods while I "look for" details, and then telling them repeatedly "I am pregnant, you know!"    

Such fun. 

UPDATE: Another one today from sekretar@mnekarate.me

. 

We noticed that a recent communication from your account wasn't delivered correctly due to a pending verification step. To ensure seamless communication with your guests, please take a moment to verify your communication channel. 

All they wanted me to do was "Copy the verification link below. Paste it into your browser's address bar and complete the verification process." No thanks. 

Image: Maksim Chernyshev, Scop.io