Author: Matt Graham
Matt Graham
The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to more than 100 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course! 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 @AFF Editor.
A Family Trip to Europe on Points
Redeeming points for Business class flights can be a challenge at the best of times. Award availability can be limited, especially on long-haul international flights. But what’s harder than redeeming points for one person? Redeeming for a whole family! One member is looking to redeem points for a family of three. This member would like … Continued
Could Virgin be the next Ansett?
There are further signs of financial turmoil at Virgin Australia after Air New Zealand flagged plans to sell its financial stake in the airline. The CEO of Air New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, has also resigned from the Virgin Australia board. The news has led some concerned members, fearing a repeat of the Ansett collapse, to empty … Continued
Is Duty Free Alcohol a Rip-Off?
Airport Duty Free outlets were once a great place to pick up a bargain. But it seems that bargains are now few and far between. Taxes and duties should not be payable on Duty Free alcohol. Yet it’s often the same price – or even more expensive – at the airport than Dan Murphy’s or … Continued
Chasing Status: Like Running in a Hamster Wheel?
This week a new member seeks to understand why some travellers go to such extreme lengths to chase elite airline status. Some frequent flyers willingly spend dozens of unnecessary hours in the air – often for a hefty price tag – in order to supplement their status credit balance. Known as a status run, this … Continued
Soaking Up the Delights of Dubai
Our member yld200 has just returned from a week of holidaying in Dubai! Home to the world’s tallest building, this thriving metropolis has something for everyone visitor. Taking advantage of a family connection, our member managed to pick up some great value Emirates staff travel tickets, albeit in economy, for the trip to the UAE. … Continued
Indonesia Now Visa-Free for Australians
For many years, Australians visiting Bali and other Indonesian destinations have needed to pay for a visa. This added USD35 (around $47) to the cost of every visit. But after years of discussions and speculation, this visa fee was finally dropped last week. Australians are now able to enter the country without a visa for up … Continued
Seat Swap Etiquette
The contentious issue of aircraft seat poaching is a hot topic of discussion this week. What would you do if another passenger plonked themselves into your allocated seat, in order to sit with their travel companion? One member’s recent experience on a Singapore Airlines flight left them annoyed and frustrated. Upon boarding, this member found … Continued
An Unconventional Route to Europe
Our member Mattg recently returned from a whistle-stop tour of Europe, taking a rather unique combination of airlines to get there. Our member used a diverse range of premium and low-cost airlines, flying a mixture of Economy and Business class. I love trying new things, espceially when it comes to travel. So as usual I’ve … Continued
Premium Economy: Qantas vs Virgin
Ahead of a trip to the USA, one member is deciding between flying Premium Economy on Qantas or Virgin Australia. Both airlines offer Premium Economy from Australia to Los Angeles. With prices almost identical, which airline is the better option? I have a trip coming up in June to LAS (BNE-LAX-LAS) and will likely fly … Continued