Airlines, Miles and Points

Airlines, miles, and points is the most popular topic at Australian Frequent Flyer. In this category, we provide expert tips, insider tricks, and facilitate discussions about Qantas, Virgin Australia, non-Australian airlines, and global airline alliances. From earning and redeeming frequent flyer points to maximising elite status benefits, we aim to help you get the most out of your travel. We also cover every step of the journey – from planning and booking flights to experiencing the flight itself, and finally, arriving at your destination. Whether you're a seasoned traveller or just starting to explore the world of frequent flyer programs, you'll find valuable advice to elevate your travel experience. See below for articles on airlines, miles and points.

Virgin Australia 737 Business Class legroom. Photo: Matt Graham.

Virgin Australia Launches Lighter In-Flight Magazine

Virgin Australia passengers will notice something new in their seat pockets from this month. The airline has relaunched its in-flight magazine, with the old Voyeur magazine becoming the “Virgin Australia Magazine”. The airline’s new in-flight magazine has fewer pages and is lighter than its predecessor, allowing the airline to reduce its fuel consumption. This allows … Continued

Many Qantas Economy fare classes are ineligible to earn Qpoints or Qmiles, even on international flights

Get a Partial Refund on Qantas Economy Awards

As part of last week’s Qantas Frequent Flyer changes, the airline has reduced the number of Qantas points required for Classic Flight Reward bookings in Economy class. Qantas also reduced the carrier charges payable on Economy award bookings. Although the changes to reward pricing in premium cabins will not take effect until 18 September 2019, … Continued

30 Jun 2019 Qantas

Qatar Airways Named World’s Best Airline in 2019

Qatar Airways has been named the world’s best airline in the Skytrax 2019 World Airline Awards. The result is based on over 21 million votes cast by members of the public between September 2018 and May 2019. The surveys were available in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese and Russian. Based in Doha, Qatar Airways is … Continued

29 Jun 2019 Qatar Airways
Virgin Australia 777 in Abu Dhabi

Delays to Virgin Australia Los Angeles Flights

Virgin Australia’s long-haul network is in disarray after one of the airline’s Boeing 777s was taken out of service nearly two weeks ago. As a result, multiple Virgin Australia flights between Australia and Los Angeles have been cancelled or rescheduled over the past weeks. The affected aircraft is still undergoing maintenance. Virgin Australia has just … Continued

27 Jun 2019 Virgin Australia
Qantas Reopening Domestic Lounges from 1 July 2020

Lifetime Qantas Platinum Status Isn’t Worth It

Qantas announced in June’s Qantas Frequent Flyer changes that it will introduce a lifetime Platinum status tier. This is sure to pique the interest of many frequent flyers. Unfortunately, the bar has been set so high that it’s not worth aiming for. To earn lifetime Qantas Platinum status, you would need to achieve a lifetime total of … Continued

24 Jun 2019 Qantas
Virgin Velocity status cards

Virgin Australia Considers Lifetime Velocity Status

Velocity Frequent Flyer could launch lifetime Velocity status, following the announcement that Qantas will introduce a lifetime Platinum status tier. Qantas announced last Thursday some significant changes to its frequent flyer program, including changes to frequent flyer redemptions and the introduction of a Points Club. As Qantas Frequent Flyer’s main competitor in Australia, Virgin’s Velocity … Continued

23 Jun 2019 Virgin Australia
Fiji Airways 737-700

Fiji Airways Ends Adelaide Service

Fiji Airways will axe its Adelaide-Nadi route in July, just two years after it launched. Fiji Airways has served the Adelaide-Nadi route twice per week since June 2017, using Boeing 737s with 8 Business Class and 156 Economy seats. The overnight flight to Nadi currently departs Adelaide every Monday and Friday evening, returning in the afternoon … Continued

22 Jun 2019 Other Airlines
Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic tails

Virgin Australia Seeks Expanded Virgin Atlantic Partnership

Virgin Australia and UK-based Virgin Atlantic have applied for regulatory approval to coordinate services between Australia and the UK. The expanded Virgin Atlantic partnership would allow the two airlines to offer a more seamless experience to passengers flying to London through better schedules, easier connections and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. Virgin Australia does not fly … Continued

21 Jun 2019 Virgin Australia
Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold Status Match

Major Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes – June 2019

Qantas Frequent Flyer has announced the largest overhaul in the loyalty program’s history. There are significant changes to reward flight pricing, with an increase in the amount of points required for flights in premium cabins and upgrades – including for round-the-world awards. But carrier charges and the amount of points required for some Economy reward … Continued

20 Jun 2019 Qantas
How to Redeem Virgin Australia Travel Bank Credits

New Westpac Altitude Velocity Rewards Program

Westpac has launched a new Altitude Velocity rewards program which comes with direct earning of Velocity points and complimentary Economy X upgrades on Virgin Australia flights. Westpac customers can now choose to opt-in to earning either Qantas points, Velocity points or Altitude Rewards points with their credit card. As part of the changes, Westpac is … Continued

20 Jun 2019 Virgin Australia