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All Australian International Arrivals to be Quarantined in Hotels

All Australians returning from overseas will be quarantined in government-designated facilities such as hotels from today. The new rule, designed to eliminate any possibility of returning travellers passing on COVID-19, came into effect from 11.59pm on Saturday 28 March 2020. Australians arriving back from overseas have been required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival … Continued

29 Mar 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

COVID-19 Travel Update: 27 March 2020

This article contains an updated summary of the most important coronavirus news that is relevant to Australian frequent flyers. It specifically covers the implications of COVID-19 in terms of travel and loyalty programs. For the latest health advice, we recommend checking Australian government updates and the latest World Health Organization advice. This article was last … Continued

27 Mar 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Earn Qantas Points & Status Credits at BP

The full partnership between BP Rewards and Qantas Frequent Flyer is now live! You can now earn up to 2 Qantas points per litre of fuel from BP, as well as 1 Qantas point per $1 spent in-store. In addition, Qantas Frequent Flyer is offering an opportunity to earn status credits with BP for a … Continued

27 Mar 2020 Qantas

Arriving in Australia During the COVID-19 Shutdown

The Australian government has now introduced enhanced screening of inbound arriving passengers as it fights to reduce the spread of coronavirus. With the new COVID-19 measures in place, here’s what it’s like arriving in Australia as an international passenger right now… Getting back to Australia Over the last few weeks, the coronavirus situation has been … Continued

27 Mar 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Airlines Block Seats for Social Distancing

We’re told that social distancing – keeping at least 1.5 metres of physical distance from other people – is an extremely important weapon in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. In fact, some governments have now implemented strict laws to enforce it. Recognising the importance of social distancing in the current climate, some airlines … Continued

27 Mar 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Virgin Cancels Most Flights, Tigerair Grounded

The Virgin Australia Group will cancel around 90% of its domestic flights from midnight on Friday 27 March 2020, as most Australian states move to shut their borders to contain the spread of COVID-19. This is in addition to the grounding of all international Virgin Australia flights from 30 March, and is a further cut beyond … Continued

25 Mar 2020 Virgin Australia

Australians Banned from Travelling Overseas

The Australian government has banned Australian citizens from travelling overseas until further notice, with some limited exceptions. The ban was announced last night and came into effect from midday today, on 25 March 2020. Last week, the federal government strongly advised against all overseas travel. In doing so, it updated its travel advice for the … Continued

25 Mar 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Coronavirus is Causing Some Unusual Flights

Over the past few weeks, things have been anything but “business as usual” for airlines. As more and more countries shut their borders – leaving some overseas travellers stranded – airlines have had to find some creative solutions. Two weeks ago, Air Tahiti Nui was forced to find a new way to operate its Papeete-Los … Continued

24 Mar 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Qantas, Virgin Close All Domestic Lounges

Qantas and Virgin Australia have both been forced to close their domestic airport lounges today due to new government-mandated COVID-19 measures. All Qantas-operated lounges worldwide, including Qantas Clubs and Qantas Business Lounges, closed at midday today. Qantas says that it is working through options for Qantas Club members that are impacted by the lounge closures. … Continued

23 Mar 2020 Airports & Lounges

Cancelled Flights: Am I Entitled to a Refund?

If you’ve booked an international flight for travel in April or May, your flight will almost certainly be cancelled. Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia are all grounding international flights from the end of this month – as are many other airlines around the world. But if your flight has been cancelled, are you entitled to … Continued

23 Mar 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

COVID-19 Travel Update: 23 March 2020

There have been yet more developments over the weekend as the coronavirus situation evolves. Several Australian states and territories are now imposing self-quarantine for arriving travellers, and the Prime Minister is now advising against non-essential travel within Australia. Meanwhile, Emirates has announced that it will suspend almost all passenger flights from Wednesday, and Singapore & … Continued

23 Mar 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

The Last Qantas 747 Flight Could Be This Week

Update (29 March 2020): The final Qantas 747 flight will now be QF28 from Santiago, which is expected to land in Sydney around 5.30pm on Sunday 29 March 2020. VH-OEE (named Nullarbor) is the operating aircraft. The reason for the change is that the final QF64 was cancelled and the final QF28 service was delayed … Continued

23 Mar 2020 Qantas