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.

Alan Joyce apology video

Qantas Status Extensions & Gifts Offered as Apology

Qantas will offer flight discounts, more Classic Reward availability and other bonus benefits to its frequent flyers in an attempt to apologise for the “recent operational challenges” that have seen many flights delayed or cancelled and bags go missing. All Qantas Frequent Flyer members will also receive a further 12-month status extension. Qantas says it … Continued

21 Aug 2022 Qantas
Emirates Airbus A380 Premium Economy cabin

Emirates Delays Sydney-Christchurch Relaunch

Emirates has sadly delayed the return of Airbus A380 flights between Sydney and Christchurch, New Zealand. A few months ago, Emirates had committed to resuming its Dubai-Sydney-Christchurch route from 1 December 2022. But a recent schedule update now sees the fifth-freedom route returning from 27 March 2023 instead – four months later than previously planned. … Continued

18 Aug 2022 Emirates
Qantas First Lounge departures board

Qantas Adjusts Departure Times By One Minute

Thousands of Qantas passengers with international bookings received notifications on Tuesday that their flight’s departure time had been pushed back by one minute. Then, on Wednesday, Qantas moved the departure times on these flights forward by one minute – reinstating their original departure times. Qantas international flights departing Sydney and Melbourne were affected by the … Continued

17 Aug 2022 Qantas
Qantas Points "The Envy of the World"? Absolutely Not!

Qantas Points “The Envy of the World”? Absolutely Not!

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce recently told a room full of business leaders and journalists in Perth that the airline’s frequent flyer scheme and points “are the envy of the world”. In this month’s Qantas Magazine, Joyce also wrote that Qantas is “making it easier for members to book that dream trip with Qantas Points”. Sadly, the … Continued

15 Aug 2022 Qantas
Saudia Boeing 787 Business Class

Saudia’s Cheap Business Fares Between Asia & Europe

When planning a trip to Europe, Saudia is probably not the first airline that comes to mind. But this SkyTeam carrier offers lie-flat Business Class seats and has some exceptional year-round Business Class fares between various destinations in Asia and Europe. By combining a cheap Saudia Business Class ticket between Southeast Asia and Europe with … Continued

10 Aug 2022 Other Airlines
The Emirates Lounge in Brisbane remains closed indefinitely

Emirates Renovating Brisbane Lounge

Update: The new Emirates Lounge in Brisbane opened in February 2024. Emirates recently reopened its Australian airport lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. But Emirates’ other Australian lounge, at Brisbane Airport, remains notably closed for the time being. At the moment, Emirates passengers in Brisbane who are eligible for lounge access are being sent instead … Continued

10 Aug 2022 Emirates
Link Airways will operate flights from Sydney to Canberra on behalf of Virgin Australia

Earn Velocity Points on Link Airways

Australian regional airline Link Airways has commenced a partnership with Velocity Frequent Flyer, the loyalty program of Virgin Australia. This will allow Link Airways customers to earn Velocity points and (in some cases) access Virgin Australia lounges. From 22 August 2022, Link Airways passengers will be able to earn between 2 and 5 Velocity points … Continued

Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX 8

Aeroplan Award Chart Changes from 1 September 2022

Since relaunching in 2020, Air Canada’s Aeroplan program has become popular with frequent flyers for its wide range of partner airlines, reasonable reward flight pricing and the ability to buy Aeroplan points with regular discounts or bonuses. Put simply, it’s possible to buy Aeroplan points at a good price, and redeem them easily through Air … Continued

9 Aug 2022 Air Canada
Cheap flights to Hawaii

Epic Premium Economy Deal to Hawaii (via LA) for Under $2k

Flights to Hawaii (and the USA, generally) are expensive right now. Economy fares on Qantas, Hawaiian Airlines or even Jetstar are selling for well over $1,000 return, and Business Class fares start from around $3,000 return on Jetstar, whose “Business Class” is more like Premium Economy. A Business Class ticket to Honolulu on Qantas or Hawaiian … Continued

The Challenges of Booking Qantas Reward Tickets By Phone

The Challenges of Booking Qantas Reward Tickets By Phone

Many Qantas customers are already well aware of the major problems right now with the Qantas call centre. To Qantas’ credit, the horrifyingly long wait times have now started to come down. But even if you can get through to somebody and don’t get hung up on, trying to make or change a Classic Flight … Continued

4 Aug 2022 Qantas
QantasLink Dash 8 Economy class

Qantas Considers Points Subscriptions

Qantas’s loyalty business is now much more than just the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. There’s also Qantas Business Rewards, Qantas Club, Qantas Points Club, the Green Tier program, and alongside this, Qantas now sells everything from wine to insurance. There’s not much more that can be added, but that hasn’t stopped Qantas researching the possibility … Continued

4 Aug 2022 Qantas