The Australian Frequent Flyer Gazette

** The Australian Frequent Flyer Gazette - March, 2000 **

A FREE newsletter for Qantas Frequent Flyers, Ansett Global Rewards and Fly Buys members sponsored by The Australian Frequent Flyer.

========================================================================================================================================

Contents:

1 - Editor’s Note
2 - GST and Travel - The Good and the Bad News
3 - Travel Hints for Frequent Flyers
4 - ** EXCLUSIVE ** travel discounts
5 - The Best Deals Out

========================================================================================================================================

1- Editor’s Note

Welcome to the March edition of The Australian Frequent Flyer Gazette. If you haven’t checked out the Australian Frequent Flyer’s website in a while - it’s worth a visit: use the Points Calculator (www.frequentflyer.com.au/Points/pt.htm) to determine how many points you need for your next holiday. Alternatively you can use the popular Qantas, Ansett and Fly Buys destination guides to figure out where you can go with those hard-earned points!!.

========================================================================================================================================

2 - The Good and the Bad and the GST

** International Flights **
The good news is that GST will not be charged on any travel to and from Australia. This includes the domestic leg of a trip taken overseas. Air travel within Australia will only be GST-free if purchased by a non-resident outside Australia. For the cheapest fare available, try setting a price at www.BESTFARE.com.au

** Domestic Travel **
The bad news is that domestic travel for Australian residents - whether it be via rail, bus, car or aeroplane - will incur a GST.

** Travel Insurance **
Travel insurance will be taxed only if the travel involved incurred a GST. So, travel insurance for a flight from Melbourne to L.A. would be GST free, whereas travel insurance for a car trip from Melbourne to Sydney would incur the new tax.

** Traveller’s Cheques/Foreign Currency **
There is no GST incurred on the sale of currency or traveller’s cheques. However - there is a GST on the fee for exchanging that currency or providing the cheque.

========================================================================================================================================

3 - Travel Tips

We received tonnes of feedback last month from this column - obviously everyone has a horror story to share!

Tim M of Melbourne tells us how to stow an elephant on-board in your hand-bag …….

Squeeze as much of your checked luggage into your carry-on bag as you can. Make sure the carry-on bag is small enough not to create doubt. Once final boarding calls are made, then walk casually down the gangway, load in hand. If you wait until the last minute, you’re more likely to get away with it - it’s too late to check your luggage in. Don’t let the flight attendants help you stow your luggage in the overhead locker - if they can’t lift it, they might get suspicious.

Photographers: make sure you stash your equipment in your carry-on bag rather than your checked luggage. That way, you are handling it rather than airport workers. Plus - the x-ray dose used for scanning carry-on luggage is much lower - and less likely to damage your film. Using an x-ray proof film case is another option, and worth a try if you don’t mind emptying out your whole bag to explain why you have a mysterious x-ray proof container in your bag.

And finally from Tim - if you’ve blown the limit in a big way, try this strategy. Most airlines calculate fuel and baggage loads using an average weight per passenger of anywhere between 75 and 80 kilos. If you’re a tiny thing and weigh in at 60kg soaking wet, use this to your advantage. You should have that extra 15-20 kilos to play with, surely? By no means a sure-fire approach, but get the right person on the check in counter (ie someone the same weight or less than you) and you could manage to swing that excess baggage for free.

We are always interested in hearing your tips. If you have anything interesting to share, please write to us at [email protected]. For Travel Tips on how to stretch those points even further, visit the Australian Frequent Flyer Hot Tips section at www.frequentflyer.com.au/tips.htm - learn how to fly an unlimited amount of kilometres for only 128,50 points!!!!

========================================================================================================================================

4 - Exclusive travel discounts

The Australian Frequent Flyer has negotiated an exclusive deal with Traveland Fortitude Valley for all readers of this newsletter. By mentioning you are a reader of The Frequent Flyer Gazette and by joining their free Escapes On-Line Club, you are entitled to:

3% discount on published domestic airfares (including trans-Tasman) and domestic airfare packages (including accommodation, car rental and other tour services)
5% discount on published international airfares and international airfare packages

Note: These discounts are not available in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Fly Buys points cannot be awarded if using one of the above discounts. All fares quoted are based on cash or cheque only. Credit card purchases may attract a surcharge. Discounts are only available through their on-line division.

Bookings or enquiries can be made via their website www.traveland.net.au or by email [email protected].

========================================================================================================================================

5 - The Best Deals from Global Rewards, Frequent Flyers and Fly Buys

Here is a selection of some of the great deals currently on offer from Ansett Global Rewards, Qantas Frequent Flyers and Fly Buys. More details can be found on their websites.

What: Double Global Rewards Points!

When: 1-31 March 2000 or 1 May - 30 June 2000

How (1): Air New Zealand flights to and from L.A. from either Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne.

How (2): Air New Zealand flights between Auckland and Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne.

Action: Call Air New Zealand Reservations on 13 24 76

What: Double Global Rewards Points!

When: Before 31 March 2000.

How: Fly on the Melbourn - Hobart or Melbourne to Launceston routes with Kendall Airlines.

Action: Call 13 13 00 for reservations.

What: Triple Global Rewards Points!

When: Before 31 March 2000

How: Stay at All Seasons Premier Darwin Central

Action: Call 1300 364 263 or (61) 9 8944 9000 outside Australia

What: 1000 Bonus Fly Buys Points!

When: Before 31 March 2000

How: Spend $1000 at Traveland

Action: Visit their website

What: 2000 Bonus Fly Buys Points!

When: Before 12 March 2000

How: Buy any television, refrigerator, freezer or DVD at Myers.

Action: Visit Myers!

========================================================================================================================================

You have received this newsletter because you registered with The Australian Frequent Flyer.

The Australian Frequent Flyer is independently owned and is not affiliated with Ansett, Qantas or Fly Buys. While every effort has been made to ensure accurate information in this newsletter, it should be regarded as a guide only. You are advised to confirm all details before making any travel arrangements.

All information published in The Australian Frequent Flyer Gazette has been made available for public use. This information is freely available and subject to change without notice.