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Australian Frequent Flyer Gazette

Issue 106:   18 January

In this issue:
Latest Talk
Flight Deals
Hotel Deals
Car Deals

Tech Savvy Frequent Flyers Demand More

A recent survey has revealed that air travellers welcome new technology and are keen for more high-tech travel options. According to more than 10,000 travellers who partook in the International Air Transport association’s annual survey, frequent flyers are demanding opportunities to control their travel experience.

The survey shows that 89 percent of respondents prefer electronic tickets to paper tickets, 56 percent have used Internet check-in and 69 percent have used self-service kiosks instead of check-in desks. A majority, 54 percent, favoured more self-service options.

Respondents ranked the self-service features they plan to use most often in future: Online booking (75 percent); online reservation changes (69 percent); online check-in (61 percent); e-mail notification service (60 percent); printing boarding pass at home (58 percent); common-use self-service check-in kiosks, or kiosks serving multiple airlines, (53 percent); re-routing of missed or cancelled flights (41 percent); remote baggage drop-off service (33 percent); and post-arrival assistance (28 percent).

Whist respondents to the survey seemed to welcome the technological changes to travelling. For those who are resistant to such change, it would appear that they may no longer have much choice. Paper tickets will be replaced with electronic versions internationally by June this year. Over 90 airlines are now using bar-coded boarding passes that anyone can print out; common-use kiosks are operating at 80 airports; and RFID (radio frequency identification) tags that help to solve the problems of mishandled, and lost, baggage are employed at four airports.

Hotel Deals Latest Talk
1,000 extra Frequent Flyer points for hotel bookings!

Book your stay at any one of our many partner hotels across Australia and New Zealand by 20 January 2008 and earn 1,000 extra points when you book online at qantas.com/hotels.

That's in addition to the points you normally earn when you book and stay at a partner hotel.

Enjoy great rates in Australia and New Zealand:

  •  Book for tonight, school holidays, Valentine's Day, Easter and more
  • Plus earn 1000 extra points

Valid for sale now to 20 January 2008, for stays until 31 March 2008.

Book now at qantas.com/hotels

 
Virgin Blue VictimOne member complains about some ALLEGED POOR SERVICE on a Virgin Blue flight. Stop Press Virgin Blue makes good!

Climate Change CriticismOur members discuss the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS of their frequent flying lifestyles. See what their views are here.

Open Skies PactOur member discuss the recent announcement by the Australian government to start talks on an OPEN SKIES AVIATION deal.

Airport Security LinesOur members attempt to balance the inconvenience of WAITING IN SECURITY LINES with the knowledge that they are likely to make flying safer. 

AA Flight BookingOur members discuss the hassle of BOOKING AA FLIGHTS via the outsourced Indian call centres.

Status Run AstonishmentOne member is enthralled by the lengths some go to hold onto or INCREASE THEIR STATUS.

Car Deals
Big Savings At Budget!4th day free of time and kilometre charges

click here

Rent a Compact Car (Group B, e.g. Hyundai Getz 5 door auto) through to a Full Size Car (Group E, e.g. Mitsubishi 380) for 3 consecutive days between 5 January and 15 March, 2008 and get the fourth day free* of time and kilometre charges.

Book now at budget.com.au

Frequent Flyer Store

UniCharger - Portable Power PackJust $67.96 each
Save 15%
Plus $5 Delivery

With a UniCharger in your backpack, you no longer have to run out of power when you are a traveller on the go! UniCharger is a portable battery device that can power your electrical items for immediate use.

Great for mobile phones, digital cameras, MP3/4 players, iPod, various PDAs, Sony PSP and other USB devices. The UniCharger is a fantastic space saving idea for travellers as you need only take a UniCharger rather than several AC Adaptors for various devices.

Purchase now at frequentflyerstore.com.au

Flight Deals

 
Return Economy to Bali

 
Return Economy to Krabi