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My Experience Flying to Australia in November 2021

NSW, Victoria and the ACT have removed quarantine for vaccinated Australians returning from overseas. So, what are the requirements to return to Australia now without quarantine and what’s it like flying to Australia in November 2021? After being stuck in New Zealand for months, I flew from Auckland to Sydney in early November 2021. This was … Continued

8 Nov 2021 Coronavirus and Travel

Virgin Unveils Refreshed Melbourne Lounge

Virgin Australia has reopened its domestic lounge at Melbourne Airport following a lengthy refurbishment. The new Virgin Australia Lounge in Melbourne features the same basic layout of the previous lounge. But the space has been given a makeover with new furniture, signage, lighting and bathroom facilities. The style is similar to that of the brand … Continued

3 Nov 2021 Virgin Australia

Australia’s International Border Reopens

586 days. That’s how long Australians have been banned from leaving their own country without special approval from the government. But from today, Australia’s unprecedented international travel ban has finally been lifted for citizens and permanent residents who are fully vaccinated. For many Australians, the past 20 months have been extraordinarily difficult for so many … Continued

1 Nov 2021 Coronavirus and Travel

Velocity’s 20-30% November Transfer Bonus (2021)

Velocity Frequent Flyer has launched its twice-yearly points transfer offer today, with 20-30% bonus Velocity points offered on transfers from most Australian credit card reward programs until the end of November. Virgin Australia’s frequent flyer program offers bonus points on credit card point conversions every May and November. During the previous promo in May 2021, … Continued

1 Nov 2021 Virgin Australia

ITA Airways Joins SkyTeam Alliance

Italy’s new flag carrier ITA Airways has joined the SkyTeam alliance, replacing the void left by the exit of its predecessor Alitalia. ITA Airways took over operations from Alitalia on 15 October 2021. At the time, it wasn’t yet clear whether ITA Airways would take Alitalia’s place in the SkyTeam alliance. But it was widely … Continued

31 Oct 2021 SkyTeam

Podcast #72: Bonza – Australia’s Newest Airline

Bonza is a new Australian low-cost airline that plans to launch domestic flights in the second quarter of 2022. The start-up airline’s CEO Tim Jordan has big plans to carve its own niche out of the Australian aviation market! Operating a small fleet of Boeing 737-MAX 8s with 186 Economy seats each, Bonza won’t be … Continued

30 Oct 2021 AFF on Air Podcast

Bonza: Australia’s Newest Airline – AIR072

  Bonza is a new Australian start-up airline with big plans to carve its own niche out of the Australian domestic aviation market when it launches in the second quarter of 2022. Operating a small fleet of Boeing 737-MAX 8s with 186 Economy seats each, Bonza won’t be competing with Qantas and Virgin for business … Continued

30 Oct 2021 AFF on Air (blubrry)

Australia Removes “Do Not Travel” Warning for 162 Countries

The Australian government has removed its global “Do Not Travel” advisory that had seen every other country except New Zealand classified as a “Level 4” risk – the highest category – since March 2020. This will make it much easier for Australians to get international travel insurance cover once Australia reopens its international border to … Continued

28 Oct 2021 Coronavirus and Travel

12-15% Bonus KrisFlyer Miles on Bank Point Conversions (2021)

Singapore Airlines is offering up to a 15% bonus when converting points from a bank rewards program to KrisFlyer miles until 22 November 2021. The amount of bonus KrisFlyer miles awarded will depend on the number of points transferred. If you transfer the equivalent of 10,000-49,999 KrisFlyer miles in a single transaction, you’ll earn 12% … Continued

28 Oct 2021 Singapore Airlines

Velocity Partner Airline Redemptions Back from 2 November 2021

For the first time since April 2020, Virgin Australia Velocity members will finally be able to redeem their points for international flights from Tuesday, 2 November 2021. But reward seats will only be available on six partner airlines for the time being, and Velocity members won’t be able to redeem points on Air Canada’s flights … Continued

27 Oct 2021 Virgin Australia

American Airlines AAdvantage Status Overhaul

Oneworld airline and Qantas partner American Airlines has announced major changes to the way status is earned in its AAdvantage frequent flyer program, taking effect from 2022. Currently, earning American Airlines AAdvantage status requires members to earn Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs), plus a minimum amount of either Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) or Elite Qualifying Segments … Continued

27 Oct 2021 American Airlines

Velocity Upgrades Top Points Earners to Gold Status

A member of Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program received a surprise upgrade from Red to Gold status last week as one of Velocity’s “top points earning members”. Normally, you would need to earn 500 status credits and fly at least 4 eligible Virgin Australia sectors to upgrade to Velocity Gold status. But like most … Continued

25 Oct 2021 Virgin Australia