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 two fantastic guest speakers 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.

You can read more about the planned activities, dinner venues and costs and post #2 of this thread.

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

If you'd like to attend, and haven't already done so, please complete the registration form by clicking on the link below. Once you've done this, please also post your flight/hotel details in this thread!

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!

Registrations have now closed.​

 

[Flyfrequently]

I forgot to mention that they were wandering around the MEL J lounge with champagne, yep, the real stuff, late on Sunday arvo. NM and I managed a couple of glasses before jetting off on our delayed A220 flight home.

Clearly a case of DYKWYA @bPeteb and @NM

 

[kpc]

I forgot to mention that they were wandering around the MEL J lounge with champagne, yep, the real stuff, late on Sunday arvo. NM and I managed a couple of glasses before jetting off on our delayed A220 flight home.

I got a glass too. This is not the norm?

 

[Port Power]

Clearly as a case of DYKWYA @bPeteb and @NM

Lounge staff obviously DID know who they are! Good on ya!

(Should I wear my AFF lanyard on Wednesday, just in case?)

 

[jswong]

Finally home. What a great Do! So grateful to all those who make these such fun events

 

[NM]

Thanks to @Mattg and @WilsonM for organizing the weekend.

Yes, indeed, they did an amazing job. Thanks.

Saturday night dinner at Hyatt Centric was good. How did SQ know to hand out umbrellas as a gift as soon as I left dinner that umbrella came in handy.

They knew the event was held in Melbourne .... enough said

 

[rainbowgirl]

As I believe @QF WP mentioned to you, our second guest speaker Phil (the man behind the Flybuys account on AFF before he retired a few years ago) specifically mentioned you during his speech. He has a lot of respect for your engagement in Flybuys and contributions on this forum. It's a shame you couldn't meet him last night, but I understand that you couldn't make it and hope you recover as quickly as possible.

Thanks to the help of a moderator, Phil was able to chat with me by phone. We had a wonderful discussion about Flybuys now and back then and all the changes in the program and in the world.

 

[QF WP]

Thanks to the help of a moderator, Phil was able to chat with me by phone. We had a wonderful discussion about Flybuys now and back then and all the changes in the program and in the world.

I’m useful for something. When Phil mentioned you in his speech, I knew I had to bring you two together. He was almost shocked when I told him your real name and that I was going to call you. That topped off his night.

Glad I could bring you two together. Sadly I don’t think FlyBuys is what it used to be.

My personal thanks to @WilsonM and @Mattg for their involvement in the organization, as well as the Mod team and Point Hacks execs. Great to catch up with old friends and new members alike.

 

[QF WP]

Photos from the MCG tour:

 

[QF WP]

More photos. You can and should spend a half day on the Tour and in the Museum if you love cricket (and sport in general):

Must go and see if I’m related to Hobbs (my mothers maiden name):









Now I know where to look for those buzzer beaters. The power they wield. But both must be pressed.

 

[ellen10]

We did that tour last time we were in Melbourne, it is a great tour!

 

[Ade]

I'm a little late (as always - if you read my posts this thread, you shall witness my tardiness lol) to say my thanks & congratulations to the organising committee for yet another amazing AFF event.

The Saturday guest speaker event was really informative and gave insights into what goes on with the industry and loyalty. The dinner was ah-meh-zing! I had a special meal (I know, I'm special) and the meal delivered. I shall post about the food in the what I ate thread. Loved the MCG tour and the city walking tour As someone that lived in MEL for a few years, the tour showed places that I had never been to before when I lived in MEL, so it was awesome.

It was great to meet AFF'ers old and new. Looking forward to the next one.