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Virgin Clamps Down on Hand Luggage

Virgin Australia has resumed actively weighing hand luggage to ensure passengers aren’t flouting the 7kg carry-on limit. Virgin is now randomly checking carry-on bags at boarding gates at some airports, including Melbourne and Sydney, as well as when passengers check in. Business class passengers and Velocity Platinum & Gold members are not immune, as these … Continued

22 Mar 2021 Virgin Australia

More Airlines & Hotels Selling Points for Pandemic Revenue

When COVID-19 lockdowns and border closures decimated the travel industry in 2020, airlines and hotels worldwide were left scrambling to find new sources of income. With millions of customers demanding refunds and revenue from new bookings plummeting, many turned to their profitable loyalty programs to try to generate some extra cash flow. Unlike many airlines, … Continued

21 Mar 2021 Airlines, Miles and Points

Podcast #56: The Pandemic’s One-Year Anniversary

It’s exactly one year today since Tasmania became the first Australian state to close its border to interstate travel. Since then, there have been endless state border closures and changes to interstate travel restrictions. International borders remain shut for now but thankfully, as of last Monday, all domestic borders in Australia are now open again … Continued

20 Mar 2021 AFF on Air Podcast

The Pandemic’s One-Year Anniversary – AIR056

  It’s exactly one year today since Tasmania became the first Australian state to close its border to interstate travel. Since then, there have been endless state border closures and changes to interstate travel restrictions. But thankfully, as of last Monday, all domestic borders in Australia are now open again for the first time since … Continued

20 Mar 2021 AFF on Air (blubrry)

Opinion: Airlines Underprepared for Easter Travel Surge

One of the (very few) pleasant aspects of flying during the past 12 months has been the lack of crowds. While the sinking passenger numbers have been terrible for the airlines’ bottom lines, a silver lining for passengers has been shorter queues at security, lots of empty middle seats and no fights over overhead locker … Continued

18 Mar 2021 Coronavirus and Travel

Most Qantas Club Lounges to Reopen by Easter

Most of the domestic Qantas Club lounges that still remain closed will be back up and running within the next few weeks. A Qantas spokesperson confirmed to Australian Frequent Flyer that the airline is planning to reopen almost all remaining Qantas Clubs before Easter, except for the Qantas Club lounges in Rockhampton and Port Hedland. Those … Continued

18 Mar 2021 Qantas

ACCC Rebukes Rex Allegations Against Qantas

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has responded to allegations made by Rex that Qantas is engaging in anti-competitive behaviour against the regional airline. Over the past year, Qantas has launched flights on eight regional routes already served by Rex including Sydney-Orange, Sydney-Griffith, Melbourne-Merimbula and Adelaide-Mt Gambier. Rex alleges that this constitutes “predatory behaviour” on the … Continued

17 Mar 2021 Rex & Regional Airlines

Qantas to Serve Norfolk Island

Qantas has been awarded the federal government contract to operate regular flights from mainland Australia to Norfolk Island. Qantas will take over from Air New Zealand on the routes from Sydney and Brisbane to Norfolk Island for at least the next three months, and there is a possibility for the Qantas contract to be extended. … Continued

17 Mar 2021 Qantas

How to Get a Dirt Cheap One-Way Car Rental

Just like booking a one-way international flight, renting a car for a one-way trip can be very expensive. But there are exceptions. In fact, by booking a one-way car hire relocation deal you may even be able to save hundreds of dollars! From time to time, car rental companies need to relocate their vehicles for a … Continued

16 Mar 2021 Car Hire

Virgin Australia Reopens Canberra Airport Lounge

Virgin Australia has finally reopened its lounge at Canberra Airport, the last of seven remaining lounges in Virgin’s network to return to service. The Canberra lounge, located above gate 7 near the international departures area, opened back up on 16 March 2021 – almost a year since it closed due to COVID-19. While there haven’t … Continued

16 Mar 2021 Virgin Australia

Top 10 Australian Domestic Reward Flight Sweet Spots

The final internal state border within Australia was removed today as Western Australia resumed allowing quarantine-free travel from Victoria. It’s the first time there have been no interstate border closures within Australia for almost a year! With domestic travel opening back up, but international borders still closed for the foreseeable future, now is a great time … Continued

15 Mar 2021 Airlines, Miles and Points Points Inspiration

All Australian State Borders Have Reopened

For the first time in almost one year, there are no longer restrictions on interstate travel between any Australian states & territories as of this morning. This has not happened since Tasmania became the first state to close to all non-essential interstate travellers on 20 March 2020 – almost exactly a year ago. On that … Continued

15 Mar 2021 Coronavirus and Travel