COVID-19: This is Not Business as Usual – AIR031

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is having an unprecedented impact on the travel industry – and the world in general. Thousands of flights have been cancelled, travel bans are being introduced and millions have had their travel plans disrupted. In this episode, Matt takes a detailed look at what this all means for travellers.

Episode contents:

• 1:33 – Fortnightly news round-up
• 10:57  – COVID-19 and its impact on travel
• 15:13 – Should we be avoiding overseas travel right now?
• 28:20 – Changing or cancelling a trip due to COVID-19
• 31:34 – TAP Air Portugal status match
• 35:31 – Taking advantage of airline award chart loopholes

Links:

• AFF on Air Discussion thread – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions
• Smartraveller COVID-19 updates
• Updated WHO recommendations for international traffic in relation to COVID-19 outbreak
• Bruce Poon Tip addresses coronavirus epidemic in heartfelt message to G Adventures travellers (Travel Weekly article)
• Opinion: The world needs travel, and coronavirus is everywhere anyway (God Save The Points article)
• IATA advice on country travel restrictions
• Credit Card Travel Insurance May Not Cover Coronavirus
• Cruising choices with an active Pandemic (AFF thread)
• Star Alliance Status Match with TAP Portugal
• Airline Award Chart Sweet Spots & Loopholes – upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

• Virgin Temporarily Shuts Adelaide Lounge
• Virgin Australia Removes Velocity Numbers from Boarding Passes
• Virgin Australia Group Cuts Capacity, Aircraft
• Brisbane Airport’s New Runway Opening on 12 July 2020
• Qantas Swings Boeing 787 onto Sydney-Vancouver
• Air New Zealand Skynest: Will it Ever Happen?
• How to Reinstate Expired Qantas Points
• Flybe Collapses, Flights Grounded
• Online Travel Agency Fly365 Enters Liquidation
• Qantas Releases New Centenary Safety Video
• Hawaiian Business Class Sale & Other Deals – March 2020
• Qantas Flights to Los Angeles from $719 return
• Qantas & Virgin Trans-Tasman Fares at Record Lows

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 70 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.