Latest news

Australia Extends Halved Arrival Caps Until October 2021

The Australian government has informed international airlines flying into Australia that the reduced inbound arrival caps will be extended until at least the end of October 2021. Last month, the government halved the maximum number of people allowed to arrive in Australia on commercial flights to just over 3,000 per week. At the time of last … Continued

23 Aug 2021 Coronavirus and Travel

Podcast #67: What’s Hotel Quarantine Like in Australia?

Tens of thousands of Australians have undergone 14 days of hotel quarantine since March 2020, and reviews have been really mixed. Some have said it was the worst experience of their lives, but others have found it quite bearable. In Episode 67 of the AFF on Air podcast, Matt is joined live from hotel quarantine … Continued

21 Aug 2021 AFF on Air Podcast

What’s Hotel Quarantine Like in Australia? – AIR067

  Matt talks to an Australian Frequent Flyer member currently nearing the end of 14 days of hotel quarantine at the Marriott Hotel in Brisbane. And Qantas Frequent Flyer gives another round of 12-month tier status extensions.   Episode contents: 1:00 – Fortnightly news round-up 10:18 – Qantas Frequent Flyer’s latest round of status extensions … Continued

21 Aug 2021 AFF on Air (blubrry)

Velocity Adjusts Status Credit Earn Rates

Virgin Australia has reduced the number of Velocity status credits earned on its cheapest Economy Class tickets. But it has also slightly increased the status credits earned on some Business Class fares. The changes come as Virgin rebrands its fare categories. The new Virgin Australia fare families are: These are not just name changes. The … Continued

19 Aug 2021 Virgin Australia

Virgin Devalues “Fly Ahead” for Velocity Gold Members

Virgin Australia will no longer offer its “Fly Ahead” benefit to Velocity Gold members from 19 November 2021, except when travelling on an Economy Flex or Business ticket. Fly Ahead has been a hugely popular Velocity Frequent Flyer benefit since the program’s inception. With Fly Ahead, Velocity Gold and Platinum members have the option to … Continued

19 Aug 2021 Virgin Australia

Virgin Cuts Bags, Velocity Benefits on New “Economy Lite” Fares

Virgin Australia has removed checked baggage, seat selection, a range of Velocity benefits, and reduced status credits, on its cheapest Economy Class tickets. It’s part of a shake-up to its domestic fare categories. Virgin’s Economy Getaway, Elevate and Freedom fares are now gone, replaced by Lite, Choice and Flex fares. Business Saver fares have also … Continued

19 Aug 2021 Virgin Australia

More Airlines Offer Status Credits on Reward Flights

With most hotel loyalty programs, reward nights booked using points will count towards a member’s elite status. The same is not true for most airlines, which typically do not award any frequent flyer points or status credits for reward flights booked using points. But recently, some airlines have started to change this. And according to one … Continued

19 Aug 2021 Airlines, Miles and Points

10 One-of-a-Kind Aircraft Liveries

An aircraft’s livery, or paint scheme, is one of an airline’s biggest marketing tools (literally). While many airlines operate exactly the same types of aircraft as their rivals – both Qantas and Virgin use Boeing 737s, for example – their planes are differentiated by the colours they’re painted in. Planes are effectively giant billboards, easily … Continued

19 Aug 2021 Travel Lifestyle

Qantas Norfolk Island Flights Extended to June 2022

Qantas will now continue flying from Sydney and Brisbane to Norfolk Island until 30 June 2022, after Air New Zealand announced it will not be able to take over the routes from the end of this month as planned. Air New Zealand has long held the Australian government contract to service the routes from Brisbane … Continued

18 Aug 2021 Qantas

KrisFlyer Launches Family Pooling (For a Fee)

Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer frequent flyer program has introduced “KrisFlyer for Families”, allowing parents to transfer miles out of their children’s accounts until they turn 16 years old. Parents and guardians can now set up a “Parental Link” with the accounts of up to five children aged 2-15 years old on the Singapore Airlines website. Once … Continued

17 Aug 2021 Singapore Airlines

How a Qantas Flyer Earned Platinum One Status in 2021

In the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, Platinum One status is the very top tier. To earn or renew Platinum One, you would need to earn at least 3,600 status credits within a year – with at least 2,700 of those status credits earned on Qantas or Jetstar marketed flights. That’s a lot of flying! Given the … Continued

16 Aug 2021 Qantas

Why Do Booking Websites Ask If You’re Travelling for Work?

Have you ever noticed when booking a flight, hotel or rental car online that you’re asked whether you’re travelling for work? This data is useful information for travel companies and booking agencies, as it helps them understand their customers better and tailor the booking experience. But what exactly happens when you select “travelling for work”, … Continued

15 Aug 2021 Planning & Booking