Recent content by sydunipete

Agreed. I keep my Ultimate even though they seem to make it harder and harder to do so ($4K spend to avoid fees, required spend for travel insurance to kick in etc etc). But what it does offer is travel insurance that doesn't require a return ticket and that allows up to a 12 month trip. That...

Yes - if your final destination is SQ it is about a 10% better result transferring Amex -> VA (with 15% bonus) -> SQ than straight Amex -> SQ What you lose is the ability to use those miles with other Amex partners. But for me I'm eying some SQ Suites reward flights so I may well take up this...

Sunrise at Patonga NSW.

The travel insurance that comes with the CBA Ultimate MC includes trips up to 12 months. And if you spend more than $4000 in a month the fee is waived for that month. (Otherwise $35 / month.)

True. I'm VA Platinum and TK Gold. TK just released a significant devaluation by increased points needed for redemptions (close to double!). So that's two of my programs in a week. After the TK devaluation I've decided to focus on VA Platinum and otherwise fly best value long-haul J. I'll miss...

Yes - I used online chat a few days back using my computer (not App.). It worked fine. Sometimes I get an error if no operators are available.

The other option is to obtain a HSBC Star Alliance Gold Mastercard. As soon as you meet the minimum spend your wife will receive *A Gold status. She can choose from a range of airlines.

Yes. Always the 7-11 app barcode.

The points come through really quickly (overnight for me). Well done 7-11 and VA.

Turkish Airlines runs a status match program. But that won't help you with VA.

Yes - it's viable and my experience generally matches yours in that when you check for availability and consider the VA to SQ conversion SQ generally takes more miles, requires lower taxes and has more availability. (This is a generalisation.) By the way each time I've transferred points from...

Thanks. Information online is vague and not very helpful. I’m P (discount business). They are all short hops including into the US (LGA). The points won’t help much but the SC’s certainly will. Bonus points question. Does anybody know if the same applies to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer? Ie...

Is this also true for Air Canada Express - Jazz?

I agree it's not the greatest of benefits. As a mostly leisure traveller I have the luxury of booking well ahead. THe 4 vouchers saved me about $400 which is better than nothing.

I just successfully used my Platinum upgrade vouchers for me and the mrs. I checked there was business reward availability on my flights, booked 2 x flex seats and rang the call centre. I got the Phillipines but the phone was answered straight away on a Sunday. All good.