Latest news

Podcast #20: Are Loyalty Programs a Scam?

The ACCC recently released a damning draft report into Australian loyalty schemes, calling out practices that it says may shock consumers and putting loyalty program operators on notice. In Episode 20 of the AFF on AIR podcast, Matt chats to airline loyalty and data expert Mark Ross-Smith about the ACCC’s findings and recommendations. This interview … Continued

21 Sep 2019 AFF on Air Podcast

Are Loyalty Programs a Scam? – AIR020

  The ACCC recently released a damning draft report into Australian loyalty schemes, calling out practices that it says may shock consumers and putting loyalty program operators on notice. In this episode, Matt chats to airline loyalty and data expert Mark Ross-Smith about the ACCC’s findings and recommendations. This interview covers topics including data privacy, … Continued

21 Sep 2019 AFF on Air (blubrry)

Virgin Axes Samsung In-Flight Entertainment Tablets

Virgin Australia is axing its Samsung in-flight entertainment tablets in Business Class on domestic and short-haul international flights. From 30 September 2019, Virgin says that it will no longer load Samsung Galaxy tablets for Business Class guests on its Boeing 737 aircraft. Instead, passengers can stream entertainment to their own devices via the Virgin Australia … Continued

21 Sep 2019 Virgin Australia

Qantas Changes: Where are the Extra Reward Seats?

Back in June 2019, Qantas Frequent Flyer announced that it would increase the number of points required for reward flight bookings in any premium cabin. In return, there would be a modest reduction in award booking carrier charges and Qantas would release “more than 1 million extra reward seats available annually on Qantas and new … Continued

20 Sep 2019 Qantas

Virgin Australia 737 Economy Review (Darwin-Melbourne)

The Boeing 737-800 is the backbone of Virgin Australia’s domestic fleet. In this review, we put Economy class to the test on one of the longest domestic routes in Australia. How does Virgin’s service stack up against rival Qantas? Flight Details Flight number VA1464 Route Darwin (DRW) to Melbourne (MEL) Aircraft type Boeing 737-800 Class … Continued

19 Sep 2019 Flight Reviews

New Qantas Business & First Class Carrier Charges – September 2019

We now know the new carrier charges that will apply to Qantas Business & First Class award bookings made from 18 September 2019 following the major Qantas Frequent Flyer changes. Qantas promised back in June that from 18 September 2019, it would decrease carrier charges for Qantas Classic Flight Reward bookings in Premium Economy, Business … Continued

17 Sep 2019 Qantas

Virgin Australia to Buy Back Velocity Stake

Virgin Australia will regain full ownership of its Velocity Frequent Flyer loyalty program after selling a 35% stake to Affinity Equity Partners in 2014. Virgin will pay $700 million to buy back the stake in its profitable Velocity loyalty program – around double what Affinity paid for it five years ago. Virgin Australia yesterday confirmed … Continued

17 Sep 2019 Virgin Australia

Using Status Benefits & Earning Points with Different Programs

If you hold status with an airline, you’ll often feel obliged to continue crediting points to that airline’s frequent flyer program in order to use your status benefits when you fly. For example, if you have Qantas Platinum status, you may only be granted entry to the First Class Lounge if your Qantas Frequent Flyer … Continued

17 Sep 2019 Planning & Booking

Qantas Downgrade Compensation is Woefully Inadequate

When you’ve booked a Business Class ticket, it’s extremely frustrating to turn up to the airport and find out you’ve been involuntarily downgraded to Economy Class. But, if you’re flying with Qantas, that’s only the beginning of the nightmare. Australian Frequent Flyer has been very concerned to learn of Qantas not providing adequate compensation to … Continued

16 Sep 2019 Qantas

Last Chance to Redeem Qantas Points Before Devaluation

There are now just days before the major 2019 devaluation to Qantas Frequent Flyer reward and upgrade pricing takes effect. After 11.59pm on Tuesday 17 September, Qantas will increase the number of points required for Classic Flight Reward and Oneworld Award bookings in Premium Economy, Business and First Class. This applies not only to flights … Continued

14 Sep 2019 Qantas

New Qatar Airways Lounge for Singapore

Qatar Airways is constructing a brand new premium lounge at Singapore Changi Airport. The lounge will join the existing network of Qatar Airways lounges in Doha, London, Paris, Beirut and Bangkok. The new Qatar Airways Premium Lounge in Singapore will be in Terminal 1, located upstairs next to the existing Emirates Lounge. The lounge is … Continued

12 Sep 2019 Qatar Airways

Qantas Eyes New Tokyo Haneda Flights

Qantas is reportedly considering new flights to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport after two new airport slot pairs were released to Australian airlines. Following the recent expansion of Haneda Airport, four new daytime slots have been released for flights to and from Australia. Two of these slot pairs have already been allocated to Japanese airlines – ANA … Continued

12 Sep 2019 Qantas