Planning & Booking
A great trip starts with smart planning and careful booking. From finding the best deals to navigating frequent flyer programs, this section covers everything you need to make your travel dreams a reality.
Check below for articles and advice on planning and booking your next trip, and chat to our community for more info.
If you’ve always wanted to visit South America, there has never been a better time! Flights between Australia and South America have traditionally been expensive. But, to the delight of travellers, this appears to be changing. In late 2015, Air New Zealand launched flights from Auckland to Buenos Aires. This effectively broke the monopoly of … Continued
Many lucky members snagged an extraordinary deal on flights to the USA last week! For a short time, Virgin Australia flights between Australia and Los Angeles were available for as low as USD254 ($355) return. The amazing fare was discovered by one of our members, who kindly informed other AFF members of their discovery on the … Continued
It’s no secret that airline employees receive certain perks as part of their jobs. One such perk is discounted airline staff travel. Airline employees travelling for leisure can book tickets at a discount of up to 90%, and often they can also share this discount when travelling with friends and family. But are these benefits … Continued
Flying around the world is certainly an exciting way to travel, and round-the-world flights may cost much less than you think! This week our members explain how to book a cost-effective trip around the world using either money or frequent flyer points. There are numerous ways to book round-the-world travel. The most flexible option using Qantas … Continued
This week our members reveal their strategies to score cheap Business class flights to Europe! Having originally looked at a Qantas fare to London of over $9,000, one member was recently able to save thousands by using our members’ handy tips and suggestions. The first recommendation is to plan ahead and wait for a sale. … Continued
If you’ve ever had to change or cancel a flight booking, you’ll probably be aware of just how costly it can be. For domestic bookings, Virgin Australia charges $80 plus any fare difference for booking changes or cancellations made on Saver tickets. Qantas charges an even higher fee of $88. In some cases the cost … Continued
If you’ve ever tried to book a one-way international flight, you’re probably aware that these tickets can be very expensive. Airlines often penalise passengers flying one-way in the form of higher prices and in many cases, a one-way international flight is more expensive than a return ticket on the same route! Cruise passengers often face … Continued
Imagine spending a full day or night in an exciting city like Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai or Tokyo – for no cost at all! By taking advantage of a small but significant loophole, our members have been able to enjoy the sights and sounds of all of these cities, and many more, for free. The … Continued
One crafty member hopes to surprise a lucky loved one with an overseas holiday to a secret destination. They know the surprise will be appreciated, but ponder the risk of inadvertently blowing their cover. Countless opportunities exist for the secret to be let out. Overheard phone calls and misplaced tickets are just the start of … Continued
One member is furious that online travel agent Expedia downgraded their business class ticket to economy without explanation. Having booked a business class trip to Europe, Expedia now says the member will need to pay $1,200 to “upgrade” the ticket back to business class. When our member then threatened to cancel the ticket, Expedia demanded … Continued
The introduction of “low-cost carriers” has seen a dramatic drop in the price of airfares, making it possible to fly long distances for just a few hundred dollars, or short distances for less than the cost of the cab to the airport! But when it comes to cheap flights to Europe, there have traditionally been … Continued
Our members reminisce about the year that was and ramp up their 2015 travel goals. Some members commit the ultimate frequent flyer faux pas and admit that high on their list of priorities for 2015 is to fly less! Air travel Safety also features high on our member’s wish-lists with some members revealing their noble … Continued