Author: Matt Graham

Matt Graham

Matt was the editor of Australian Frequent Flyer from 2015 until 2025. His passion for travel has taken him to more than 100 countries - with a lot of help along the way from frequent flyer points! Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. His interests include aviation, economics & 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 @Mattg.

30% off Qantas Domestic Classic Flight Rewards

Qantas Frequent Flyer is giving 30% off domestic Classic Flight Rewards in Economy & Business Class until 14 November 2021. The discount off the points required applies to both Qantas and Jetstar domestic flights, for travel from 1 December 2021. This promotion is available for travel dates up to 27 October 2022 for travel on … Continued

Air Canada Boeing 777-200LR

Air Canada Releases Sydney-Vancouver Award Availability

Velocity Frequent Flyer members can now use their points to book Air Canada flights between Sydney and Vancouver, as well as across the rest of the Air Canada network. When Virgin Australia’s frequent flyer program reinstated partner airline redemptions last week, it said (and still does say) that “the ability for Velocity members to book Reward … Continued

Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 Economy cabin

Air New Zealand 787 Economy Review (Auckland-Sydney)

After a hiatus of almost three months, Air New Zealand has resumed offering limited passenger services across the Tasman using Boeing 787-9s. I flew with the Kiwi national carrier from Auckland to Sydney last week and am pleased to say the service hasn’t changed much since the pre-COVID days. Air New Zealand offers different types … Continued

International arrivals area at Sydney Airport in November 2021

My Experience Flying to Australia in November 2021

NSW, Victoria and the ACT have removed quarantine for vaccinated Australians returning from overseas. So, what are the requirements to return to Australia now without quarantine and what’s it like flying to Australia in November 2021? After being stuck in New Zealand for months, I flew from Auckland to Sydney in early November 2021. This was … Continued

Virgin Australia Lounge, Melbourne

Virgin Unveils Refreshed Melbourne Lounge

Virgin Australia has reopened its domestic lounge at Melbourne Airport following a lengthy refurbishment. The new Virgin Australia Lounge in Melbourne features the same basic layout of the previous lounge. But the space has been given a makeover with new furniture, signage, lighting and bathroom facilities. The style is similar to that of the brand … Continued

Qantas First Lounge flickerboard departures QF1 and QF11

Australia’s International Border Reopens

586 days. That’s how long Australians have been banned from leaving their own country without special approval from the government. But from today, Australia’s unprecedented international travel ban has finally been lifted for citizens and permanent residents who are fully vaccinated. For many Australians, the past 20 months have been extraordinarily difficult for so many … Continued

How to redeem Virgin Australia travel bank credits

Velocity’s 20-30% November Transfer Bonus (2021)

Velocity Frequent Flyer has launched its twice-yearly points transfer offer today, with 20-30% bonus Velocity points offered on transfers from most Australian credit card reward programs until the end of November. Virgin Australia’s frequent flyer program offers bonus points on credit card point conversions every May and November. During the previous promo in May 2021, … Continued

ITA Airways joins SkyTeam alliance

ITA Airways Joins SkyTeam Alliance

Italy’s new flag carrier ITA Airways has joined the SkyTeam alliance, replacing the void left by the exit of its predecessor Alitalia. ITA Airways took over operations from Alitalia on 15 October 2021. At the time, it wasn’t yet clear whether ITA Airways would take Alitalia’s place in the SkyTeam alliance. But it was widely … Continued

Bonza Boeing 737 MAX

Podcast #72: Bonza – Australia’s Newest Airline

Bonza is a new Australian low-cost airline that plans to launch domestic flights in the second quarter of 2022. The start-up airline’s CEO Tim Jordan has big plans to carve its own niche out of the Australian aviation market! Operating a small fleet of Boeing 737-MAX 8s with 186 Economy seats each, Bonza won’t be … Continued