Latest news

Domestic Reward Flights Can Still Be Great Value

Many of us save up frequent flyer points to redeem for international travel. But with Australia’s international borders remaining closed for a while longer, and domestic travel resuming, now could be a good time to burn some points for domestic reward flights within Australia instead. Sure, redeeming points for a flight to Melbourne or Perth … Continued

16 Dec 2020 Points Inspiration Qantas

No Staff, No Service: The Future of Flying Qantas?

Last month Qantas announced a plan to close its airport service desks and sales counters, including the service counters in Qantas airport lounges. The airline says that the removal of face-to-face contact points is designed to “enhance customer confidence in flying” during the pandemic. But if the recent experience of a Qantas Platinum member flying … Continued

14 Dec 2020 Qantas

When Will Australia Allow International Travel Again?

Australia’s international borders have been closed since March 2020, and will remain shut until at least 17 March 2021 after the human biosecurity emergency period was recently extended for another three months. But when will Australia finally reopen its international borders and allow Australians to travel overseas again without an exemption? The short answer is … Continued

13 Dec 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Podcast #51: Domestic Borders Are Reopening

After a year like none other, there’s finally some good news. Almost all Australian state & territory borders are now open again, and the final remaining border (from SA to WA) could be open by Christmas. As a result, more Australians are travelling and airlines are scrambling to send more flights back in the air. … Continued

12 Dec 2020 AFF on Air Podcast

Domestic Borders Are Reopening – AIR051

  As 2020 draws to a close, there’s finally some good news. Australian state borders are reopening, planes are back in the air, and more pilots are returning to work. One of them is Virgin Australia 737 pilot Chris Bournelis (a.k.a. AviatorInsight on AFF) who is now doing simulator training and flight checks ahead of … Continued

12 Dec 2020 AFF on Air (blubrry)

Flybuys Introduces Velocity Points Auto Transfer

Flybuys has introduced a new “Auto Transfer” feature for members who wish to have all of their Flybuys points transferred to Velocity automatically. Flybuys members who opt in to Velocity Auto Transfer by 31 January 2021 will have their entire Flybuys balance transferred to Velocity Frequent Flyer at a rate of 500 Velocity points for … Continued

11 Dec 2020 Flybuys

Qantas Considers Expanding Points Club

Qantas appears to be considering a new membership tier for its Points Club program, which launched in March 2020. Currently, Qantas Frequent Flyer members can achieve Points Club membership by earning 150,000 Qantas points during one membership year. A higher tier, Points Club Plus, can be achieved by earning 350,000 points in 12 months. Of … Continued

10 Dec 2020 Qantas

Velocity Announces Additional Status Extensions & Rewards

Velocity Frequent Flyer has announced that some existing Gold & Platinum members will be eligible for another status extension of up to 12 months if they take at least one Virgin Australia flight by 28 March 2021. There are also additional rewards on offer for taking 2 or 3 flights by 28 March next year. … Continued

10 Dec 2020 Virgin Australia

Has Virgin Forgotten its Loyal Frequent Flyers?

Top-tier Velocity Frequent Flyer members have accused Virgin Australia of being “asleep at the wheel” until now when it comes to communication. These frequent flyers, who have been fiercely loyal to Virgin Australia in the past, feel their loyalty is no longer being reciprocated. They have become confused about the future direction of Virgin Australia, … Continued

7 Dec 2020 Virgin Australia

The End of Points for Paying Tax in Australia?

In 2009, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) began accepting payments by credit card. For the first time, this meant Australians could earn frequent flyer points through their credit cards for paying their tax bills. AFF’s ATO (tax office) payments by credit card thread now has well over 9,000 posts from members discussing the loophole and sharing … Continued

5 Dec 2020 Credit Cards

Virgin Australia Giving Further 12-Month Status Extensions

Virgin Australia appears to be granting further status extensions to some Velocity Silver, Gold and Platinum members who didn’t benefit from the previous 12-month status extension announced earlier this year. But Virgin hasn’t gone as far as Qantas in offering an easy opportunity for all members to extend their status for a second year by booking … Continued

4 Dec 2020 Virgin Australia

Qantas Reopens More Domestic Airport Lounges

Qantas has reopened 8 more domestic airport lounges, including the Qantas Business Lounge at Melbourne Airport. It comes as all three of Australia’s major domestic airlines report a surge in demand as Queensland and other states reopened their borders. In addition to the Melbourne Qantas Business Lounge, Qantas Club lounges have now reopened in Brisbane, … Continued

2 Dec 2020 Qantas