Latest news

New Virgin Australia Sydney-Hong Kong Flights

Virgin Australia will commence its second route to Hong Kong in mid-2018. The new Virgin Australia Sydney-Hong Kong flights will operate daily using an Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Virgin’s A330s feature 20 comfortable lie-flat Business class seats, each with direct aisle access, and 255 Economy seats. The Virgin Australia Sydney-Hong Kong schedule mirrors existing Qantas and … Continued

2 Mar 2018 Virgin Australia

No Compensation for Qantas Downgrade to Jetstar

Qantas has refused to provide compensation to customers downgraded from Qantas’ own services to Jetstar. Downgraded passengers also lost most of the benefits of their original tickets including complimentary food, in-flight entertainment and seat selection after Qantas cancelled their flights. In one case, AFF member tea&coffee was downgraded from Qantas Business class to a middle … Continued

1 Mar 2018 Jetstar

Qantas Moving to Terminal 8 at New York’s JFK Airport

Qantas will shift its operations to Terminal 8 at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport from 3 April 2018. Terminal 8 at JFK Airport is home to Qantas’ partner American Airlines. Qantas’ daily service from New York to Los Angeles (with onward connections to Australia) currently departs from Terminal 7 at JFK Airport. This … Continued

1 Mar 2018 Airports & Lounges

The Sad State of Aviation in Europe

It’s easy to forget just how good flying is in Australia. We have two full-service airlines with proper Business class products and well-appointed airport lounges. Complementing this are two low-cost airlines offering comfortable budget travel. By comparison, aviation in Europe is in a rather sad state… Flying in Europe really seems like a cross between Tigerair … Continued

28 Feb 2018 Destinations

Travel Insurance Horror Story

They say that if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. But this latest travel insurance horror story is a timely reminder to also read the fine print carefully. A British tourist has died in an Egyptian hospital after becoming ill on holiday. Although the man did have travel insurance, the insurance … Continued

26 Feb 2018 Travel Lifestyle

Qantas Announces Record Profit, Aircraft Upgrades

Qantas has announced aircraft upgrades, new lounges and a new Pilot Academy alongside a record profit at the 2018 half-yearly results last Thursday. Qantas’ record half-yearly profit of $976 million was widely reported by Australian media. But of most interest to frequent flyers are the other announcements made alongside the financial reporting in the Qantas … Continued

24 Feb 2018 Qantas

Refresh for Qantas Sydney International Business Lounge

Qantas’ underwhelming, overcrowded Business Lounge at Sydney Airport is finally set to receive a refresh. The Qantas Sydney international Business Lounge is one of the busiest in the airline’s international network. But for the past several years it has been somewhat neglected. The refurbishments will commence in the second half of 2018. Qantas expects the … Continued

24 Feb 2018 Airports & Lounges

Fly Japan Airlines to Tokyo & Beyond with Qantas Points

Japan Airlines recently launched direct Melbourne-Tokyo flights, and there is lots of award availability! Find out how to redeem your Qantas points for a seat to Tokyo or beyond… Update: It is now possible to book Japan Airlines award flights on the Qantas website. The Opportunity Japan Airlines, a Oneworld partner of Qantas, will begin … Continued

22 Feb 2018 Points Inspiration Qantas

The Most Valuable Tips & Tricks on AFF

The Australian Frequent Flyer forum is full of useful tips, tricks and travel-related advice! This week our members share the best advice that they have received on AFF. Numerous members have nominated the “Qantas T-80” trick as one of the most useful pieces of advice they’ve discovered on AFF. This trick allows anyone to pick … Continued

22 Feb 2018 Travel Lifestyle

How to Use Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars

Airpoints, Air New Zealand’s frequent flyer program, is not frequently discussed on our forums. There’s a good reason for this; it’s one of the world’s worst value frequent flyer programs! Nonetheless, AFF member Cappuccino99 is seeking advice this week on how to spend over 1,000 Airpoints Dollars. When I lived in NZ, I travelled a … Continued

22 Feb 2018 Air New Zealand

Emirates Launches Daily Auckland-Bali Flights

Emirates has announced it will commence daily flights from Auckland to Bali from 14 June 2018. The surprise announcement comes as Emirates withdraws from the Melbourne-Auckland and Brisbane-Auckland routes next month. Qantas also recently announced a new route from Melbourne to Bali. Qantas will start daily Melbourne-Denpasar flights from 23 June 2018 using Boeing 737s. … Continued

21 Feb 2018 Emirates

How to Maximise Virgin’s Velocity Reward Seat Discount

Virgin Australia is currently offering 30% off Velocity reward seats until the end of February! The discount applies to Virgin Australia, Delta, Virgin Atlantic and Alitalia reward seats, as well as Air New Zealand trans-Tasman flights, in all classes of travel. This reward seat discount is a great deal, especially for Premium Economy and Business … Continued

20 Feb 2018 Points Inspiration Virgin Australia