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Complaint handing process - Getting help 

Objective:

This policy aims to uphold our reputation by delivering superior products and services.

The focus of everything we do, our systems and training of staff, is designed to avoid complaints. Period.

We acknowledge that mistakes do happen from time to time, and when they do we pledge to address complaints swiftly. The policy as detailed below serves as a roadmap for customers and staff, detailing the complaint handling process. It is our intent to:

• Ensure customers are informed about the complaint process.
• Clarify the complaint handling procedure to both customers and staff.
• Investigate complaints impartially, considering all information and evidence.
• Protect the personal information of customers actively.
• Assess each complaint on its individual merits and specific circumstances.

What is a complaint:

A complaint, as defined in this policy, is an expression of dissatisfaction from a customer regarding a travel service that has been provided. This definition is crucial for understanding how to handle customer feedback and improve service quality. It serves as a guideline for addressing and resolving issues that customers may encounter during their travel experience.

Lodging a complaint:

If you're dissatisfied with our service, you can lodge a complaint, free of any charge, in the following ways:

• complete our feedback form on the website,
• call,
• write,
• email,
• or speak to customer service staff in person.

Information we will need about your complaint.

• Your name and contact details;
• The name of the person you have been dealing with about your travel service;
• The nature of the complaint;
• Details of any steps you have already taken to resolve the compliant;
• Details of conversations you may have had with us that may be relevant to your
complaint, and
• Copies of any documentation which supports your complaint.


Help when making a complaint.

Our team are all trained to aid you may you need to make your complaint. Let us know if you require further assistance.

What information we will retain during this process

• The complainant's name and contact information.
• Document all details of the complaint, including facts, causes, outcomes, and post-investigation actions.
• Log all relevant dates and times related to the resolution process and communication exchanges.
• Monitor complaints for patterns as part of a continuous improvement strategy, taking corrective actions as necessary.
• Safeguard personal information provided during the complaint process, preventing disclosure without explicit consent.
• Consult with third-party travel suppliers when necessary to thoroughly investigate the complaint.

Feedback for continual improvement

We are sincere in our desire to quickly address all concerns raised with us and have put in place the following commitments:

• Acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 5 days.
• Keep you informed about the progress of their complaints.
• Aim to resolve complaints within 21 days of receipt.
• Inform you of any delays and provide a new resolution timeline.
• Request additional information from customers if necessary for complaint resolution.
• Update you on the status of their complaint upon receiving additional information.
• Provide final findings and actions taken in writing, or verbally if agreed upon.
• Allow you to inquire about the status of their complaint at any time.



What to expect:

1. Acknowledgement: Within five days of receiving your complaint, we will acknowledge its receipt.
2. Review: We will conduct an initial review of your complaint to determine if any additional information or documentation is needed. We may contact you for clarification or to request further details if necessary.
3. Investigation: Within 21 days of receiving your complaint, we will investigate it objectively and impartially, considering the information you have provided, our actions related to your dealings with us, and any other relevant information.
4. Response: After our investigation, we will inform you of our findings and any actions we have taken regarding your complaint.
5. Action: If appropriate, we will amend our business practices or policies.
6. Recording: We will record your complaint for our continuous improvement process and monitoring through regular review. Your personal information will be recorded in accordance with relevant privacy legislation.

If your complaint is about one of our team members:

A robust complaint handling policy is crucial for any organization. It ensures that all complaints are treated with confidentiality, impartiality, and equality. The process involves a thorough investigation to gather facts, consult relevant parties, and verify explanations.

Additionally, it is essential to maintain objectivity towards staff members by informing them of complaints, allowing them to present their side, offering support, and keeping them updated on the investigation's progress and outcome. Such practices help maintain transparency and trust within the organization.

Complaints involving a regulator.

When a complaint is under investigation by a regulator or law enforcement agency, it is common practice for organizations to halt their internal review processes. This ensures that there is no interference with the official investigation. Cooperation with such agencies is crucial, as it can provide them with necessary information and support to reach a resolution. Once the investigation is concluded, the organization can proceed with its own actions based on the findings.

Escalation process:

If you are satisfied with our proposed decision or actions, we will close your complaint and record the findings for our continuous improvement program.

If you are not satisfied with our proposed decision or actions, we will record this, and
provide you with information on how to escalate your complaint, to the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA), for external review under their Australian Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS).

ATAS is an industry accreditation scheme that sets the benchmark of quality for the travel industry. ATAS is also responsible for monitoring our compliance with the ATAS Code of Conduct (the Code) and assisting in the resolution of complaints.

The Code sets the standards of good practice that ATAS participants must follow when dealing with their customers. As an ATAS participant we have agreed to be bound by the Code. If you would like to know more about the Code you can visit the ATAS website www.atas.com.au.

AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS)

Should you wish to speak to ATAS about your complaint you can contact them in the following ways:
• By completing the online complaint form on their website www.atas.com.au
• By telephoning them on 9287 9900
• By writing to them at Level 31, 31 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
• By emailing them at compliance@atas.com.au

Your rights under Australian Consumer Law

You reserve the right to refer your complaint to your relevant federal, state or territory
consumer protection agency at any time.

Fab Interline Cruises, ABN 19610361025
IATA TIDS Australia – 96137694 – CLIA Australia 80104314

james@kvi.travel - fab@kvi.travel +61 430 200 535



 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why choose nib?
    nib has 24-hour support with call centre staff based in Australia and international phone numbers you can access around the world. Many online insurance providers have no call centres or anyone you can speak to before your policy commences or during the claim process. Other providers may require you to purchase cover more than 21 days prior to departure otherwise any Covid event will not be covered. Other providers have specific cruise coverage, but if you read the fine print, they may not cover Covid once you board a cruise ship or any time after that. Credit card insurance may not provide the cover you expect, ask us for our Credit Card Myths Flyer and a checklist you can use to check your level of protection. We offer policies with no age limits and single trips in excess of 60 days. Our multi-trip annual policies are now offered by very few providers. Often times our annual multi-trip policy will work out cheaper than a single-trip policy.
  • I work for an Australian airline as a pilot or cabin crew, am I covered while on an overnight?
    When you are operating a pattern and staying in a company provided hotel you are considered to be at work. While carrying out your duties as an employee, you should be covered by your employer’s worker’s compensation insurance. That is if you become unwell or injured, while on an aircraft, in company provided transport, within the crew hotel and what is considered reasonable proximity to the crew hotel. There are limitations, and crew that choose to leave the city where they are staying might not be covered by worker’s compensation. The problem has been that for crew who choose to go "Off-Station", (for example a trip from LA to Las Vegas), up until now there have been no options available to provide insurance protection in the event of an accident, lost luggage, or if medical assistance is required. As we all know, in the USA especially, public liability and medical costs can be crippling. The good news is nib’s Annual Multi Trip Plan can offer protection for cabin crew and pilots. Even snow sports can be covered for an additional premium. The details of exactly what situations are and are not covered are laid out in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Continue reading below for a quick summary of key features of this cover but it is critical that you read and understand the PDS in full. What is covered? When you go "Off-Station", you are not considered to be at work, and provided you abide by all the terms and conditions of the policy, the cover includes: Rental vehicle insurance excess Overseas medical expenses (including for COVID-19) Repatriation Cover for certain COVID-19 related events Accidental loss, theft or damage to luggage By paying an additional premium other options can be added to a policy such as: Snow sports cover option Specified items option for high value items over $1000 such as: Personal Electronics Sports and other leisure equipment Other luggage Travel within Australia too This same protection is also applicable to Domestic Crew patterns, or for travel undertaken on days off, with the proviso that the trip: starts and ends at your home in Australia is more than 200 kms from your home in Australia. includes travel by either pre-paid scheduled public transport or hire car, or include at least one night of pre-booked publicly available accommodation "Off-Station" Insurance cover for cabin crew and pilots Save up to 30% Annual cover from $466 (Single policy - Age 59) For the same low price you also get: unlimited annual leave + leisure trips that are less than 45 days international and domestic for trips more than 200kms from home children can be added for free Pay a higher premium to add: your spouse/partner if single, a fellow single traveller cover for snow sports or high-value items like jewelry and laptops In a nutshell nib’s Annual Multi Trip Plan provides cover when you are not at work. When you go "Off-Station' you are considered not to be at work. This is premium coverage that will cover you for holidays as well. Always refer to PDS for coverage details >
  • What about Corona virus coverage?
    All Single Comprehensive and Annual Multi-Trip policies include coverage for Covid events. Important: Essential policies have no Covid protection. ​ The two elements to Covid cover which confuse many people are cancellation cost and medical/repatriation coverage. Single Comprehensive and Annual Multiple provide BOTH cancellation and medical
  • What cancellation costs due to Covid are covered?
    Both the Comprehensive/Annual Multi policies provide coverage for cancellation fees due to 8 covid specified reasons up to $2500 per person. If your policy is for one adult, that is $2500. If for two, that becomes $5000. You can add children to any policy but this limit of $2500 per adult will not increase. Insurance Cover is not available for loss arising from: government intervention including travel bans, border closures or broadly imposed quarantine requirements; events for which the Government has issued a 'Do Not Travel' warning for your destination, or failure to follow advice from official bodies, including vaccination advice where applicable. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for detailed information.
  • What about medical costs and/or repatriation due to Covid?
    Comprehensive/Multi policies will both cover medical expenses and repatriation costs due to covid. These are different and are not restricted to the $2500 per adult for cancellation fees, up to set limits and relevant clauses of each policy. Refer PDS for further info.
  • Are there maximum age limits?
    There are no age limits, however, the cost of insurance increases with the risk. Expect policies for those over 70 to be expensive, as up until now it was almost impossible to secure insurance over this age.
  • Are children covered?
    Children are covered at no additional charge. ​ If they fall within the below definition, they can be added to policies at no additional charge. ​Your children, stepchildren, grandchildren, foster children, and children for whom you are the legal guardian, who are travelling with you on the same itinerary for the entire duration of your trip and at the time the Certificate of Insurance is issued are: under 25 years of age, and working less than 30 hours per week ​How to add Children: Start your quote for two adults and you will be asked to add dependants at a later time.
  • Can singles who are not in a relationship or live in the same household purchase a joint Multi-Trip policy?
    Yes, and there is no requirement to travel together.
  • What if I have pre-existing medical conditions?
    Up to 40 conditions are automatically covered. For many other conditions, you can complete screening online and have your quote adjusted accordingly. Others may need you to contact the nib Pre-Existing Health Team, for clarification and pricing. For all technical questions about what is covered and preexisting medical Call nib on 1300 410 272 ​(Monday to Friday. 9 AM to 6 PM)
  • What is not covered?
    To ensure you don't get caught out, you must read the Product Disclosure Statement and the terms and conditions in full, which are an essential part of your quote/policy. For all technical questions about what is covered and preexisting medical Call nib on 1300 410 272 ​ (Monday to Friday. 9 AM to 6 PM)
  • Am I covered in all countries and jurisdictions?
    No. You will not be covered if you travel to, or remain in, a country on the Do Not Travel List. Check www.smartraveller.gov.au/ prior to making payment, before departure and during the course of your international travel.
  • How do I make payment?
    If you are happy with the quote, simply make a payment on the nib website with a credit card.
  • Are there annual policies or just single trip policies?
    nib offers both single trip and annual policies. Covid protection is included in both Comprehensive Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip Policies. Important: Essentials Single Trip policies have no covid protection
  • Is this offer open to people outside Australia?
    No. This offer is only for Australian residents.
  • Further questions?
    You must first generate a quote via the attached link then call 1300 410 272 (Monday to Friday. 9 AM to 6 PM) advise them of your Quote Number.. With nib, unlike many other providers, you will speak to a real person here in Australia.
  • Interline rules - Ts and Cs #
    INTERLINE CONDITIONS: In addition to all standard conditions of carriage of the operator you and all members of your travelling party must abide by the following: 1/ You must not disclose to any other guest on your cruise the nature of the discounts you have received. 2/ Any such breach can see the cruise operator, at their discretion, convert your fare to full commercial rates and you will be liable for the difference. 3/ As with staff travel on the airline of your employment, your behaviour must always be above reproach. Unruly and unacceptable levels of intoxication and abuse of staff are strictly forbidden and the operator has the right to offload you at any time. 4/ The operator can at any time revoke your ability to purchase future interline discounts. 5/ Interline rates are a privilege, not a right. You are entitled to them solely through the relevant interline agreement, which is a benefit directly related to your employment. Any unacceptable behaviour will be reported back to your employer which could result in the loss of airline staff benefits, and/or further disciplinary action. 6/ Eligible staff members need to realise that these rules apply to any beneficiary who books interline rates under their name. These rules must be clearly communicated to all passengers travelling under their benefit entitlement. INTERLINE RATES: You must provide us proof of employment in aviation for an Interline Rate. Unless otherwise advised, Interline bookings are non-refundable. Prices may change before departure. A price drop does not entitle you to any refund of your fare, (either deposits or full payments). We will always endeavour to get a price adjustment but understand that this is unlikely. FAB does not guarantee or warrant cruise itineraries. Itinerary changes are at the discretion of the cruise lines. Changes to itineraries are governed by the T&Cs of the cruise lines. Where we act as an agent, our quotes and itineraries will include a statement that advises you: • We act as an Agent; and • That our Terms and Conditions are in addition to the Terms and Conditions of each Travel supplier listed on the quote/itinerary; and • That it is the Terms and Conditions of the Travel supplier that determine the terms of • cancellation and refunds, if any INSURANCE: As most interline fares are 100% non-refundable, we urge you to consider the advice of the Australian Government that recommends everyone should purchase Travel Insurance. As a 6 Star 4 Less customer, you can get up to 30% off nib Travel Insurance. We have policies with no age limits that cover both cruises and covid related events (many do not). Our Annual multi-trip options may be cheaper than a single-trip policy. Read our guide on how insurance policies are priced when to buy, and how to save money: www.fabinterlinecruises.com/insurance If you have not already taken out Travel Insurance with us, please read the following carefully: If you become ill with Coronavirus If you are cruising and become ill with Coronavirus If you lose your luggage If you become ill or have an accident If you suffer the pain of a toothache or damage your teeth through an accident If you lose your tickets, travellers cheques, passport etc. If your transport is delayed If a relative at home becomes sick or dies If any of these things happen to you and you have no Travel Insurance, it will probably ruin what should have been a wonderful experience. Fab Interline Cruises, ABN 19610361025 is a distributor of NIB Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (nib), ABN 81 115 932 173, AFSL 308461 and receives a commission for nib products purchased through Fab Interline Cruises. Fab Interline Cruises acts as an agent for NIB and not as your agent. FAB Interline Cruises cannot give advice about nib products, and any factual information provided is not intended to imply a recommendation or opinion about nib products. Before you buy, please read the Product Disclosure Statement, Financial Services Guide and Target Market Determination (TMD) available from us. If you have a complaint about a nib product, see the Product Disclosure Statement for the complaints process. This insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193. Please contact me to arrange your Insurance cover. DEPOSITS AND FINAL PAYMENTS: You have the sole responsibility to ensure all payments are made by the stated deadlines. Reservations will be automatically cancelled and money paid will be lost if deadlines are missed. PASSPORTS: It is your responsibility to ensure your passport and travel documents are valid and in good order. Most countries and cruise lines require a minimum of 6 months of validity and some require that you have a completely blank page in your passport. VISAS: You must understand the VISA requirements for each port are. You are responsible to ensure that you obtain all required VISAS prior to departure. Failure to do so may see you denied boarding at the port of departure. We can not be held responsible for any problems or delays with the issuing of passports or the correct validity of Visas. VISIT https://smartraveller.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
  • Eligibility + Verification
    All interline rates are fares are strictly controlled - closed rates. To obtain a quote and to book we must first verify that you are eligible. Our contracts with the cruise lines require us verify everyone who requests access to interline fares, at time of booking and potentially onboarding on request. There are some grey areas. Technically the rules refer to current and 'retired' staff. Sometimes benefits can be extended to people who have worked for an airline for some time and have left prior to retirement age. All of our contracts are different and if in doubt it is critical that ask us before making any deposit payment. As a general rule if you still have access to airline staff discounts you will automatically be accepted by the cruise lines. Your parents can travel without you, and in almost all cases you can book a second cabin at interline rates even for people that don't work for an airline, The only requirement is that you travel on the same cruise. Your parents may also be able to book two cabins as well. If you want to book. ore than two cabins, ask us, as some lines will permit us to book several with just one ID. If your service was some time ago, the cruise lines with automatically ask for a statement of service. This must detail start and end of years of service. A training certificate or similar will automatically be rejected. If you were at Ansett at the time of the collapse refer to our separate section especially for you.
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