Latest news

Coles Rewards MasterCard to Cap Flybuys Points

The Coles Rewards MasterCard credit card has been an unlikely favourite with overseas travellers in recent years. With a relatively low $99 annual fee, this no-frills credit card has no international transaction fees. It also awards 2 Flybuys points per $1 spent. Flybuys points can be converted to Velocity Frequent Flyer points, making the card … Continued

9 Oct 2020 Flybuys

FlyPelican’s “$72 within 72 Hours” Flight Deal

Regional flying has a reputation for being expensive. But there are exceptions! FlyPelican, a regional airline based in Newcastle, offers an excellent yet poorly-advertised deal on last-minute flights. On selected FlyPelican routes, a limited number of remaining seats are made available for just $72 within 72 hours of departure. This includes flights to Mudgee, Taree, … Continued

8 Oct 2020 Rex & Regional Airlines

Qantas Wrongly Refuses Lounge Access Again

Qantas says it has issued a reminder to staff after a Oneworld Emerald frequent flyer was incorrectly refused Qantas Club access for a second time in a row. Last week we brought you the story of AFF member Muppet501st, who has Oneworld Emerald status as a Qatar Airways Platinum member. On a recent visit to … Continued

5 Oct 2020 Qantas

Australia Takes First Step Towards Trans-Tasman Bubble

Australia has taken the first step towards establishing a long-anticipated “trans-Tasman bubble” between Australia and New Zealand. But, at this stage, it’s only a one-way bubble and New Zealanders can only travel to selected states & territories in Australia without needing to quarantine. From Friday 16 October 2020, it will be possible to travel from … Continued

4 Oct 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Podcast #46: Air Traffic Control

You don’t see them as a passenger, and when you do hear about them, it’s probably because your airline is blaming them for a delay. But Air Traffic Controllers are absolutely critical to the ensuring you arrive at your destination safely. Ever wondered what exactly an Air Traffic Controller does, and what kind of training … Continued

3 Oct 2020 AFF on Air Podcast

Air Traffic Control – AIR046

  Ever wondered what it’s like being an Air Traffic Controller? In this episode Ian Robinson (a.k.a. iRobbo on AFF), who has been an Air Traffic Controller for almost 30 years, talks to Matt about what the job involves, the training required and what it’s like dealing with a mid-air emergency from on the ground. … Continued

3 Oct 2020 AFF on Air (blubrry)

How to Use Your Qantas Bar Cart

Qantas has started delivering over 1,000 pre-loved Boeing 747 bar carts to lucky customers across Australia. Of the many Australian Frequent Flyer members who ordered one of these fun collectibles, Hvr was the first to take delivery. Hvr posted some photos of their newly-delivered cart on Tuesday morning. Qantas put the used galley carts on sale last week, … Continued

2 Oct 2020 Travel Lifestyle

Qantas Quietly Suspends Price Promise

Qantas has quietly suspended the “Price Promise” designed to encourage customers to book flights & hotels directly on the airline’s website. Since 2011, Qantas has offered to match lower airfare prices found on third-party booking websites such as online travel agents. After booking on the Qantas website, customers could lodge a Price Promise claim by … Continued

2 Oct 2020 Qantas

Air New Zealand Extends Status for a Second Year

With flights reduced and many international borders closed this year due to coronavirus, many airlines have already extended the elite status of their frequent flyers by 6-12 months. But Air New Zealand is going a step further. Having already extended the status of its frequent flyers by 12 months in March 2020, Air New Zealand … Continued

30 Sep 2020 Air New Zealand

Southern Lights Flight on a Chartered Qantas 787

Antarctic sightseeing flights, operated by Antarctica Flights on chartered Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliners, are proving popular this summer. Operating during daylight hours, passengers on these flights are treated to close-up views of the Antarctic icebergs. But another Melbourne-based tour company is now pioneering a different type of Antarctic scenic flight, the first of which is … Continued

30 Sep 2020 Qantas

Alliance Airlines Coming to Canberra

Alliance Airlines will launch scheduled flights to Canberra for the first time, with a new twice-weekly Canberra-Sunshine Coast service from 23 October 2020. The same aircraft, a Fokker 100 with 100 Economy class seats, will continue from the Sunshine Coast to Cairns. Passengers can travel from Canberra to Cairns on a single flight number without … Continued

28 Sep 2020 Rex & Regional Airlines

Norfolk Island is Open for Tourism

Update (21 October): Air New Zealand will resume a second-weekly Sydney-Norfolk Island flight from November. With international borders shut, there are few opportunities for Australians to travel overseas this year. But Norfolk Island, an Australian territory located between New Zealand and New Caledonia, is open for business. Norfolk Island has introduced a similar hotspot-based system … Continued

27 Sep 2020 Coronavirus and Travel