Latest news

Rex Filling Business Class with Free Upgrades

Rex may not yet have a frequent flyer program or competitive airport lounges, but its airfares on capital city routes are affordable and its on-board service is pretty good. Plus, on domestic flights operated by Boeing 737s, many Rex passengers have been lucky enough to get randomly upgraded for free to Business Class! Since Rex … Continued

6 Jun 2022 Rex & Regional Airlines

Earn Status Credits on Velocity Reward Flights

Velocity Frequent Flyer members can earn status credits on all Virgin Australia reward seat bookings for the next two months, with Velocity bringing back the promotion that it ran from October 2021 until March 2022. This new limited-time promotion covers Virgin Australia reward seats booked using Velocity points, for travel from 1 June until 31 … Continued

3 Jun 2022 Virgin Australia

The Australia DPD App Doesn’t Work Properly

Since February 2022, the Australian government requires all passengers arriving in Australia on an international flight to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) within 7 days before departure. This can be done online or on the “Australia DPD” smartphone app. In theory, this system is supposed to save travellers time by allowing them to submit … Continued

2 Jun 2022 Coronavirus and Travel

American Airlines Website Full of “Phantom” Malaysia Airlines Awards

If you’ve recently searched for AAdvantage award seats on the American Airlines website, you may have noticed that there are lots of Economy and Business Class award seats showing as available on Malaysia Airlines flights to & from Australia. Malaysia Airlines is a Oneworld partner of both American Airlines and Qantas. So, this may give … Continued

1 Jun 2022 Malaysia Airlines

Last Chance to Redeem Velocity Points for Delta Flights

There’s only less than two weeks left to redeem Virgin Australia Velocity points for Delta flights, but the partnership is going out with a bang! Delta award availability on the Sydney-Los Angeles route is now surprisingly good, with Velocity reward seats available to book on various dates in both Premium Economy (Delta Premium Select) and … Continued

1 Jun 2022 Points Inspiration Virgin Australia

Qantas Unlocks Exit Row Seats on Long-Haul Flights

Qantas passengers will finally be able to select exit row and extra legroom seats on long-haul flights again from tomorrow, with the airline removing the block on these seats that was introduced two years ago. When flying long-haul in Economy Class to faraway destinations like Singapore, Johannesburg, Los Angeles or London, an exit row seat … Continued

31 May 2022 Qantas

Qantas Flights to Rome Selling Extremely Well

Qantas’ first commercial flights to Rome since 2003 haven’t even taken off yet, but some flights on the flying kangaroo’s seasonal Perth-Rome service are already sold out. Qantas will commence 3x weekly Sydney-Perth-Rome flights on 22 June 2022 using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The route will run over the peak European summer period and the September … Continued

30 May 2022 Qantas

Qantas Trials New Self-Service Kiosks

Earlier this month, we brought you the story about Qantas’ plan to remove domestic airport check-in kiosks and replace them with new self-service machines that can only print luggage tags and charge for excess baggage. This new technology is now a reality, with Qantas commencing a trial of the new airport kiosks that cannot check … Continued

30 May 2022 Qantas

Air Canada’s Interesting Domestic Premium Cabin Pricing

If you’ve flown in Business Class on Qantas’ Boeing 737s and Airbus A330s, you’ll know that there’s a huge difference in the Business Class products on these two aircraft. Qantas’ narrow-body Boeing 737-800 features basic reclining Business seats with a little more width and legroom, which are suitable for the short flights it generally operates… … Continued

29 May 2022 Air Canada

Podcast #85: When Should Loyalty Programs Stop Extending Status?

Throughout the pandemic, most airline and hotel loyalty programs have offered free or easy status extensions to retain once-loyal customers and try to prevent them from switching to the competition when travel makes a comeback. But with travel starting to return with a vengeance and airport lounges getting full, is it now time to wind … Continued

28 May 2022 AFF on Air Podcast

When Should Loyalty Programs Stop Extending Status? – AIR085

  In this episode, loyalty program expert David Feldman is back for another chat about airline & hotel loyalty programs! This extended interview covers topics including COVID-19 status extensions, the “golden handcuff” effect, recent changes to hotel loyalty programs, why Qantas could be risking killing its profitable “golden goose”, and lots more.   Episode contents: … Continued

28 May 2022 AFF on Air (blubrry)

Velocity Gold vs Platinum Status: What’s the Difference?

Velocity Platinum members enjoy many additional benefits on Virgin Australia flights, but the extra perks are marginal on partner airlines.

27 May 2022 Virgin Australia