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Gold hotel status

Podcast #53: Hotel Loyalty Programs

On the AFF on Air podcast, we often talk about the frequent flyer programs of airlines. But hotels are an equally important part of the travel experience, and hotel loyalty programs can offer some great perks (as well as free nights) to frequent guests. In episode 53 of AFF on Air, James Green from Frequent … Continued

6 Feb 2021 AFF on Air Podcast
AFF on AIR podcast artwork

Hotel Loyalty Programs – AIR053

  On the AFF on Air podcast, we often talk about the frequent flyer programs of airlines. But hotels are an equally important part of the travel experience, and hotel loyalty programs can offer some great perks (as well as free nights) to frequent guests. In this episode, James Green from Frequent Flyer Solutions explains … Continued

6 Feb 2021 AFF on Air (blubrry)
Qantas Scenic Flight Over Australia Proves a Hit

Australia to Increase International Arrival Caps

Most Australian states will restore their international arrival caps to December 2020 levels from 15 February 2021, following a decision at Friday’s National Cabinet meeting. But Western Australia will retain its reduced arrival cap of just 512 passengers per week until further notice, as Perth emerges from a 5-day COVID-19 lockdown. From 15 February 2021, … Continued

5 Feb 2021 Coronavirus and Travel
QantasLink Embraer E190 at Canberra Airport with dnata catering truck

Qantas to Wet Lease Alliance Airlines E190s

Qantas will lease Embraer E190s from Alliance Airlines from mid-2021, for up to 3 years. Qantas will initially receive three of the mid-sized regional jets from Alliance under a wet lease arrangement, but Qantas says it has the flexbility to add up to 11 additional aircraft – or “switch off” all of the additional capacity … Continued

5 Feb 2021 Qantas
This parcel bound for Brisbane took a 34,000km detour, flying from Sydney to the USA and Japan

Parcel Takes 34,000km Detour from Sydney to Brisbane… via Chicago & Tokyo!

Unprecedented cargo demand, fewer planes flying, limited staff availability and ever-changing border restrictions throughout the pandemic have wreaked havoc on freight shipments and postal delivery services worldwide. Some countries have even had to temporarily shut down international mail. So it’s no surprise that some international parcels are taking longer to arrive, or taking an unusual … Continued

4 Feb 2021 Coronavirus and Travel
Guide to Qatar Airways Privilege Club Status

Qatar, Emirates & Cathay Pacific Further Extend Tier Status to 2022

Qatar Airways, Emirates and Cathay Pacific are among the latest group of airlines to provide a second year of tier status extensions to their frequent flyers. Almost every airline gave a 12-month status extension to their top-tier members in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions which made it very difficult for … Continued

1 Feb 2021 Cathay Pacific Emirates Qatar Airways
Beware of Qantas "Coronavirus Relief Bonus" Scam Emails

Beware of Scam Emails Claiming to Be From Qantas

Fraudsters have been targeting Australians with phishing emails claiming to be from Qantas, warning recipients not to let their “Coronavirus Relief Bonus go to waste”. There are various versions of the fake emails, which look somewhat genuine but have several telltale giveaways of a phishing scam. In 2020, these emails had subject lines including “Your … Continued

31 Jan 2021 Coronavirus and Travel
Qantas Cuts More Staff

Qantas Launches Rescue Flights to Norfolk Island

Qantas will operate special flights from Brisbane and Sydney to Norfolk Island to assist Australians stranded by the sudden, temporary withdrawal of Air New Zealand services to the island. Four Qantas flights will operate between Brisbane and Norfolk Island over the coming days, with an additional one flight from Sydney to the Australian overseas territory. The … Continued

30 Jan 2021 Qantas
Singapore Airlines Boeing 737-800

SilkAir Merges Into Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines’ full-service regional subsidiary, SilkAir, has been folded into the Singapore Airlines brand. Singapore Airlines will gradually take over service on SilkAir’s existing routes, starting with flights from Singapore to Phuket from 4 March 2021. Nine of SilkAir’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft will eventually be transferred to its parent company, which will begin operating the … Continued

30 Jan 2021 Singapore Airlines
10 Free Qantas Points per Day for Walking (June 2020)

10 Free Qantas Points Per Day for Walking (February 2021)

Qantas Frequent Flyer is giving away 10 points per day to Qantas Wellbeing App users that walk at least 7,500 steps each day during February 2021. Following an initial “Qantas Frequent Walker” promotion during June 2020, this offer is back for the month of February 2021. In total, there are up to 280 bonus Qantas … Continued

30 Jan 2021 Qantas
Pilots in aircraft cockpit

Index of Popular AFF “Ask The Pilot” Topics

“Ask The Pilot” is one of the most popular threads on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum. In fact, since it was started in 2011, there have been well over 15,000 posts! The Ask The Pilot thread is a place where AFF members can ask questions to real-life pilots. We have several regular pilot contributors including … Continued

27 Jan 2021 Travel Lifestyle
QantasLink 717

QantasLink 717 Economy Class Review (January 2021)

All airlines have made changes to their on-board service during COVID-19. So, what’s the service like in Qantas domestic Economy class in January 2021? I recently found out on a QantasLink Boeing 717 flight from Rockhampton to Brisbane. Flight Details Flight number QF1795 Route Rockhampton (ROK) to Brisbane (BNE) Aircraft type Boeing 717-200 Class of … Continued

27 Jan 2021 Flight Reviews