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.

Qantas 2019-20 Financial Results a Mixed Bag

No Compensation for Qantas Downgrade to Jetstar

Qantas has refused to provide compensation to customers downgraded from Qantas’ own services to Jetstar. Downgraded passengers also lost most of the benefits of their original tickets including complimentary food, in-flight entertainment and seat selection after Qantas cancelled their flights. In one case, AFF member tea&coffee was downgraded from Qantas Business class to a middle … Continued

Qantas 787 Dreamliner tail

Qantas Moving to Terminal 8 at New York’s JFK Airport

Qantas will shift its operations to Terminal 8 at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport from 3 April 2018. Terminal 8 at JFK Airport is home to Qantas’ partner American Airlines. Qantas’ daily service from New York to Los Angeles (with onward connections to Australia) currently departs from Terminal 7 at JFK Airport. This … Continued

Ryanair cabin crew

The Sad State of Aviation in Europe

It’s easy to forget just how good flying is in Australia. We have two full-service airlines with proper Business class products and well-appointed airport lounges. Complementing this are two low-cost airlines offering comfortable budget travel. By comparison, aviation in Europe is in a rather sad state… Flying in Europe really seems like a cross between Tigerair … Continued

Travel insurance emergency

Travel Insurance Horror Story

They say that if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. But this latest travel insurance horror story is a timely reminder to also read the fine print carefully. A British tourist has died in an Egyptian hospital after becoming ill on holiday. Although the man did have travel insurance, the insurance … Continued

Qantas A380

Qantas Announces Record Profit, Aircraft Upgrades

Qantas has announced aircraft upgrades, new lounges and a new Pilot Academy alongside a record profit at the 2018 half-yearly results last Thursday. Qantas’ record half-yearly profit of $976 million was widely reported by Australian media. But of most interest to frequent flyers are the other announcements made alongside the financial reporting in the Qantas … Continued

Qantas international Business Lounge in Sydney

Refresh for Qantas Sydney International Business Lounge

Qantas’ underwhelming, overcrowded Business Lounge at Sydney Airport is finally set to receive a refresh. The Qantas Sydney international Business Lounge is one of the busiest in the airline’s international network. But for the past several years it has been somewhat neglected. The refurbishments will commence in the second half of 2018. Qantas expects the … Continued

Japan Mt Fuji

Fly Japan Airlines to Tokyo & Beyond with Qantas Points

Japan Airlines recently launched direct Melbourne-Tokyo flights, and there is lots of award availability! Find out how to redeem your Qantas points for a seat to Tokyo or beyond… Update: It is now possible to book Japan Airlines award flights on the Qantas website. The Opportunity Japan Airlines, a Oneworld partner of Qantas, will begin … Continued

Close up view of man and woman pointing at places on world map. Woman noting vacation plan in a diary.

The Most Valuable Tips & Tricks on AFF

The Australian Frequent Flyer forum is full of useful tips, tricks and travel-related advice! This week our members share the best advice that they have received on AFF. Numerous members have nominated the “Qantas T-80” trick as one of the most useful pieces of advice they’ve discovered on AFF. This trick allows anyone to pick … Continued

Air New Zealand A320

How to Use Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars

Airpoints, Air New Zealand’s frequent flyer program, is not frequently discussed on our forums. There’s a good reason for this; it’s one of the world’s worst value frequent flyer programs! Nonetheless, AFF member Cappuccino99 is seeking advice this week on how to spend over 1,000 Airpoints Dollars. When I lived in NZ, I travelled a … Continued