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COVID-19 Travel Update: 16 March 2020

Last Friday, we released a summary of the latest COVID-19 news relating to travel and loyalty programs. This article provides an updated summary of recent changes that are relevant to Australian frequent flyers, as of Monday 16 May 2020. A lot has changed in just three days. All travellers from overseas are now being required … Continued

16 Mar 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Qantas Offers Free Cancellation Vouchers

Qantas yesterday released a new, more generous change & cancellation fee waiver after its previous policy attracted considerable criticism. Jetstar flights are also included in this. If you have an existing Qantas or Jetstar booking for travel until 31 May 2020, you now have the option to change dates or cancel your trip and receive … Continued

16 Mar 2020 Qantas

All Travellers Required to Self-Isolate on Arrival into Australia

The Australian government is now requiring all international travellers to self-isolate for two weeks after arriving into Australia. The measure, designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19, came into effect at midnight last night and applies to everyone – including Australian citizens – except for operating flight crews. At this time, the self-isolation requirement is … Continued

16 Mar 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Virgin Australia Further Reduces International Flights

Just days after Qantas announced further cuts to international flights until September, Virgin Australia has revealed more flight reductions of its own. Among the changes, Virgin Australia will temporarily reduce flights to Japan, Los Angeles and New Zealand, and permanently axe its two fifth-freedom international routes. Frequencies on some domestic routes will also be reduced … Continued

14 Mar 2020 Virgin Australia

Airlines Limit Hand Sanitiser Quantities

Health experts have said that only hand sanitiser with an alcohol content of at least 60% has a chance of being effective against COVID-19. However, items with such a high alcohol content pose a fire risk and are therefore restricted by airlines. Virgin Australia is warning passengers, for example, that: Many hand sanitisers contain flammable … Continued

13 Mar 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

COVID-19 Travel Update: 13 March 2020

Yesterday, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The evolving coronavirus situation is making overseas travel increasingly difficult. Even if you happen to have a pre-existing travel insurance policy that covers coronavirus – and the health risks aside – countries are increasingly placing new entry restrictions and many flights are being cancelled. Meanwhile, airlines … Continued

13 Mar 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Wide Open British Airways Award Availability from Sydney to London

With the constantly-changing international travel restrictions at the moment, you’d be forgiven if you wanted to avoid overseas travel right now. But if you still want – or need – to travel to London over the coming year, now could actually be a very good time to book. Award availability is wide open – even in … Continued

13 Mar 2020 British Airways Points Inspiration

Qantas Sends Boeing 717 to Coffs Harbour

QantasLink will switch one of its five daily flights between Sydney and Coffs Harbour to a Boeing 717 aircraft. The change will take effect from Sunday, 29 March 2020. It comes just weeks before Tigerair withdraws from the Sydney-Coffs Harbour and Melbourne-Coffs Harbour routes. Currently, the Sydney-Coffs Harbour route is served by QantasLink exclusively with … Continued

12 Mar 2020 Qantas

Virgin Australia Offers Free International Flight Changes

Virgin Australia has now followed Qantas and Jetstar in waiving change fees on international bookings until 31 March 2020. Virgin’s policy is similar to the Qantas & Jetstar change fee waiver, but it’s more generous as it also applies to existing bookings made prior to 10 March 2020. Unlike with Qantas, Virgin Australia guests also … Continued

10 Mar 2020 Virgin Australia

Qantas Temporarily Shuts Singapore First Lounge

Qantas will temporarily close its brand new Singapore First Lounge from next month. The closure is expected to last from 20 April until mid-September 2020, although it could be reduced or extended depending on how the COVID-19 situation evolves. The Qantas First Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport only opened in late 2019. It’s currently less … Continued

10 Mar 2020 Airports & Lounges

Qantas, Jetstar Waive Change Fees for New International Bookings

Qantas and Jetstar will both waive change fees on new international bookings made between today and 31 March 2020. It’s good news for travellers that are hesitant to book international travel amid the current coronavirus uncertainty. However, the Qantas change fee waiver is not as generous as those introduced by many other overseas airlines in … Continued

10 Mar 2020 Qantas

Qantas Grounds A380s, Redirects Kangaroo Route

Qantas will ground two-thirds of its A380 fleet, re-route its Sydney-London flight via Perth, and delay the launch of flights to Chicago as it responds to a sudden collapse in demand for air travel due to coronavirus. Qantas also announced today that it will temporarily suspend flights from Melbourne and Brisbane to San Francisco, as … Continued

10 Mar 2020 Qantas