From John Grant, Caloundra, Queensland, Australia
You recently raised the issue of ageism. Approaching octogenarian status, I don’t think of myself as old and nor do my fellow surfing mates. However, try applying for a new credit card or travel insurance (in Australia at least) and it is a totally different story. The hurdles to jump over for a credit card are incredible, whereas a younger person can walk into a bank and come out with one straight away. As for travel insurance, the premium is almost as much as the trip (18 May, p 32).
What these institutions are saying is that they don’t want you as their customer – that you are too old. When it comes to banks and insurance, ageism is alive and well.
