Latest news

Qantas Hangs Up on Platinum Member Requesting Refund

A Qantas call centre agent hung up on a Platinum frequent flyer calling to enquire why it was taking so long to receive a refund for their cancelled flight. The incident not only highlights the poor customer service many receive from the Qantas call centre, but also the lengthy delays many Qantas customers experience with … Continued

21 Dec 2020 Qantas

Sydney COVID-19 Outbreak Ruins Christmas Travel Plans

After a nightmare year, it seemed just one week ago that Australia was finally on track for all internal state borders to be reopened by Christmas. Until just a few days ago, there was only one remaining state border restriction in place, preventing South Australians from travelling to Western Australia. This was (and still is) … Continued

21 Dec 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Qantas to Launch 7 New Regional Routes in Early 2021

Qantas will launch flights on seven new regional routes in early 2021, including to two new destinations, drawing the ire of rival Rex. Just as Qantas’ inaugural Sydney-Merimbula flight departed this week, Qantas announced a raft of new regional routes from Melbourne. Qantas will also start flights from Sydney to Griffith, and Adelaide to Mt … Continued

20 Dec 2020 Qantas

Rex’s “Strong-Armed” Tactics Against Local Councils Exposed

Regional Express Airlines (Rex), Australia’s largest independent regional airline, has been profitable almost every year since 2004. Given the volatility of the aviation industry and tight margins on regional aviation, that’s a remarkable achievement for the airline which will shortly launch jet services between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. But has Rex’s success been at the … Continued

18 Dec 2020 Rex & Regional Airlines

Virgin Lounge Pass Holders Incorrectly Denied Entry

A Virgin Australia flyer has been incorrectly denied entry to the airline’s newly-reopened lounge at Sydney Airport. Despite holding a valid lounge pass issued by ANZ Bank, the Virgin lounge attendant erroneously informed the customer that single-use lounge passes issued via the customer’s ANZ credit card were no longer being honoured. AFF member Duck posted on Wednesday: … Continued

17 Dec 2020 Virgin Australia

Photos: Melbourne Airport’s International Terminal in December 2020

Last week, Melbourne Airport began accepting international arrivals (who go directly into hotel quarantine) for the first time since June. But with the controversial international arrival caps still in place, and Australians still banned from leaving the country without a travel exemption, the international terminal at Melbourne Airport remains eeriely quiet. An Australian Frequent Flyer reader was … Continued

17 Dec 2020 Airports & Lounges

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