AFF Gathering #18 in MEL on 21-23 November 2025

Save the date! The 2025 AFF annual member gathering will be in Melbourne from 21-23 November 2025.
There will be a welcome dinner on Friday evening, a more formal dinner with a guest speaker on Saturday evening, and optional activities throughout Saturday and Sunday.

All AFF members and their friends & family are welcome to attend. Most people usually fly into the host city on Friday afternoon, and leave on Sunday afternoon/evening. Of course, if you're a Melbourne local, the flying part is optional.

We'll update this thread over the coming months with more information about the planned activities, dinner venues and costs, which we expect to be in line with previous gatherings. (E.g. you can read about the 2024 Brisbane gathering here, or the 2023 Launceston gathering here.)

There will be a $5 registration fee per participant, plus the cost of any activities and/or meals that you choose to join.

For now, please feel free to let us know in this thread if you think you'll be able to make it! For those unfamiliar with the AFF terminology:

• "Platinum" means your attendance is confirmed and you have booked flights/accommodation
• "Gold" means you're likely to attend but will need to confirm at a later time
• "Silver" means you're unlikely to attend at this stage.
• "Bronze" means you're unable to attend.

The entire AFF team looks forward to seeing you in November in Melbourne!

Click here to register​

 

[AFF Editor]

Can we nominate our activity now? Can’t find that, but if we can, I’d like the Yum Cha lunch on Saturday please.

We'll provide rough indications of costs and open up registrations soon. You'll be able to nominate your preferred activity/which events you'll be attending during the registration process.

For now, please feel free to post your flight/hotel details in this thread and we'll advise once registrations are open.

 

[kpc]

Arr Fri Qf447 1505
Dep Sun Qf474 1730
Staying @Rydges Melbourne (could change if I find a better alternative)

 

[Carasmw]

Gold. Sat lunch and dinner

 

[Lowjhg]

There is also a WhatsApp group created already for this DO. PM me for the link.

Also on Activities:
Friday Dinner - No
Saturday Daytime - Not attending any, planning a Yarra Valley adventure (PM me if you want to join)
Saturday Dinner - Yes (Hosting pre-drinks in my suite at Hyatt Centric)
Sunday Daytime - No
Sunday Dinner - Yes

 

[drcam]

Friday Dinner - Yes
Saturday daytime - Yes, yum cha lunch
Saturday dinner - yes
Sunday daytime - maybe
Sunday dinner - yes

 

[RooFlyer]

Cash give-away

I have accumulated small amounts of currency notes from dozens of countries that I no longer intent to visit. Usually A$1-A$5 equivalent.

Too many countries to list, and some without Latin script I can't recall where they are from (these mainly SE Asian).

I'll be bringing the wallet to the Gathering and happy to give notes away to a good home, on first come, first served basis.

I'm happy to receive DMs with requests.

Posted with knowledge of organisers. I've already given away most to UNESCO collections.

 

[Human]

Too many countries to list, and some without Latin script I can't recall where they are from (these mainly SE Asian).

With Google Translate or Apple Translate you could just open the app and point your phone camera at them for an instant translation...

 

[serfty]

Watch for slightly cheaper hotel prices shortly.

Usher was to be performing in Melbourne that weekend but has cancelled.

 

[Kiwi]

Platinum for me now

Arrive Frid QF 445 @ 14.35
Depart Sun 13.00 for Singapore

Yes - Friday welcome drinks and dinner
Yes - Sat yum cha lunch
Yes - Sat dinner

At this stage, staying @ Quest St Kilda Road but will watch what else becomes available given the news Usher has cancelled that weekend in MEL

 

[AFF Editor]

Registrations are open!​

If you're planning to attend the gathering, please complete the registration form and indicate which activities/dinners you plan to attend here:

2025 AFF Melbourne Gathering Registration

Welcome to the registration form for the 18th annual Australian Frequent Flyer gathering, taking place on 21-23 November 2025. Please fill out the required information and your preferences for the event activities. We look forward to seeing you in Melbourne!

travel.frequentflyer.com.au

On the registration form, you'll see approximate costs for each of the activities. Once everyone has registered and we have a better idea of the final numbers, we'll finalise the costs and send payment details.

There's also a link to the registration form in post #1 of this thread.

 

[AFF Editor]

I've now updated the attendee list in post #2 with the members who've said they're Platinum, and with any flight/hotel details provided in this thread.

Arrive QF1294 16:05 ex HBA

Staying at Pullman on the Park

Depart QF1293 12:13 for HBA

Can we nominate our activity now? Can’t find that, but if we can, I’d like the Yum Cha lunch on Saturday please.

Which days are you flying in/out?

There is also a WhatsApp group created already for this DO. PM me for the link.

For anyone who's wondering, this is the first that the organisers have heard about a WhatsApp group for this do. It is not an official group.