Latest news

Virgin Australia Holidays is Closing Down

Following the demise of Tigerair, another of Virgin Australia’s businesses is being permanently shut down as the fallout from COVID-19 sadly continues. Virgin Australia Holidays will be closed from 31 October 2020, bringing an end to Virgin Australia’s Mystery Breaks, AFL Travel and Supercars Travel Packages. Launched in 2003 by then Virgin Blue as “Blue … Continued

23 Oct 2020 Virgin Australia

How to Use Virgin Australia “Future Flight” Credits

Update: Virgin Australia Future Flight credits were previously valid for bookings made until 31 July 2022, for travel until 30 June 2023. However, their validity has since been extended. Future Flight Credits are now valid for bookings made until 31 December 2023, for travel until 31 December 2023. Virgin Australia has converted the “conditional credits” held … Continued

22 Oct 2020 Virgin Australia

Canberra Added to Priority Pass Network

A café at Canberra Airport has been added to the Priority Pass network, giving members another option when travelling in Australia. Priority Pass members can now receive a $36 food & beverage credit at City Hill Coffee, located near gate 8 at Canberra Airport. This is offered in lieu of lounge access, and could be … Continued

22 Oct 2020 Airports & Lounges

St George to Axe Points for ATO Tax Payments

St George Bank will no longer give points on government-related transactions, including tax payments to the Australian Tax Office (ATO), from 9 December 2020. The change affects the St George Amplify, Amplify Platinum and Amplify Signature credit cards, which until now have continued to reward points for government payments. The St George Amplify Signature card … Continued

19 Oct 2020 Credit Cards

Where Are the 137 Grounded Qantas & Virgin Planes?

EXCLUSIVE | If you’ve visited any Australian airport in the past six months, you’ve probably seen all the grounded Qantas and Virgin jets parked on the runways and taxiways. They’re a striking symbol of the pandemic that has shut down much of the travel and tourism industry… every grounded plane represents dozens of airline staff … Continued

19 Oct 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Now Would Be a Great Time for a Qantas Status Match

Virgin Australia is in crisis. Australia’s second-largest airline has just lost its CEO. It’s fighting with unions, who are refusing to accept the drastic cuts to worker pay and conditions proposed by Bain Capital. Business class passengers are being served two-minute noodles and staff are taking sick leave to avoid dealing with all the customer … Continued

18 Oct 2020 Qantas

Podcast #47: Flybuys Loyalty Program

Flybuys Chief Operating Officer Phil Hawkins knows a thing or two about loyalty programs. He was with Flybuys right back when the Australian loyalty program launched in 1994! In Episode 47 of the AFF on AIR podcast, Phil Hawkins joins Matt Graham to discuss all aspects of the Flybuys program including its partnership with Velocity … Continued

17 Oct 2020 AFF on Air Podcast

Flybuys Loyalty Program – AIR047

  Flybuys Chief Operating Officer Phil Hawkins knows a thing or two about loyalty. He was with Flybuys right back when the Australian loyalty program launched in 1994! In this episode of AFF on AIR, Phil joins Matt to discuss all aspects of the Flybuys program including its partnership with Velocity Frequent Flyer and why … Continued

17 Oct 2020 AFF on Air (blubrry)

Frequent Flyers Ridicule $150 Qantas T-Shirts

With limited flying happening at the moment, you can’t really blame Qantas for trying to diversify its business. So far this year, Qantas has had great success selling everything from care packages to used Boeing 747 bar carts. But some frequent flyers believe Qantas’ latest expansion into branded T-shirts, sweaters and tote bags costing between … Continued

16 Oct 2020 Qantas

Qantas Resumes Limited Trans-Tasman Flights

Qantas will today operate its first international passenger flights since June, with a return service from Sydney to Auckland. It comes as NSW, NT and ACT today reopen their borders to travellers from New Zealand, who no longer need to quarantine in a hotel when arriving in Australia through Sydney. But Qantas has delayed plans … Continued

16 Oct 2020 Qantas

The Axe is Falling on Virgin Australia

In a few weeks, Virgin Australia will come out of voluntary administration. But its future remains far from certain, following extraordinary revelations CEO Paul Scurrah will leave the organisation as soon as Bain Capital takes full control of the company in early November. Replacing Scurrah is former Jetstar CEO Jayne Hrdlicka, who is reportedly feared … Continued

15 Oct 2020 Virgin Australia

Velocity Cuts Partner Airline Benefits

Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program has permanently removed some of the benefits offered to frequent flyers when travelling with international partner airlines. Upgrades and lounge access are among the tier benefits axed when flying with some partner airlines. Although Velocity Frequent Flyer only announced these cutbacks yesterday, its website states that they came into … Continued

15 Oct 2020 Virgin Australia