Latest news

Learning a Foreign Language while Travelling

The ability to speak a foreign language can come in very handy in many different contexts. The skill is especially valuable for regular international travellers. But frequent travelling can also make it difficult to find time to attend classes and practice regularly. Learning any foreign language requires commitment, regular practice and time… a luxury not … Continued

13 Oct 2015 Travel Tools & Technology

Cathay Pacific Overhaul: Winners and Losers

Cathay Pacific is overhauling its Marco Polo Club program, with changes to take effect from 15 April, 2016. These changes will make it more difficult to earn high tier Gold and Diamond status, however the benefits of these status tiers will also increase. Among other new benefits, Diamond members can now gift a friend or … Continued

12 Oct 2015 Cathay Pacific

Explore “Transit” Cities for Free

Imagine spending a full day or night in an exciting city like Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai or Tokyo – for no cost at all! By taking advantage of a small but significant loophole, our members have been able to enjoy the sights and sounds of all of these cities, and many more, for free. The … Continued

10 Oct 2015 Planning & Booking

No Class in Business Class

A first-time Business Class flyer has been left bemused by what they perceived as rude, arrogant and demanding behaviour displayed by other passengers in the pointy-end. This member believes that fellow passengers left their manners at home and says they would not fly Business again after their unpleasant experience. Other members have recounted their own … Continued

8 Oct 2015 Travel Lifestyle

A Seven Week Round-the-World Adventure

Our member JohnM recently embarked on another exciting annual round-the-world trip. This year’s trip looks to be just as exciting as previous escapades, involving 25 flights, 5 continents and almost 50,000 miles! Well, the time has come to go on the annual xONEx RTW again. Globe out, darts out: fire away! (err – that was … Continued

7 Oct 2015 Destinations

Flying to Canada with Qantas Points

One member is hoping to use their Qantas points to fly in Business Class to Canada next year and seeks advice on the best way to do so. 30th wedding present for me and 70th birthday for my dad… Between us we have 1.2 million qantas ff points and would like to use them to … Continued

6 Oct 2015 Qantas

Qatar Airways to commence Sydney flights

Qatar Airways will begin flights between its Doha hub and Sydney from 1 March, 2016. The airline will become the third of the major Middle Eastern carriers to fly to Sydney. With Qatar flying to most major cities in the Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa, the new route provides another convenient, one-stop oneworld … Continued

5 Oct 2015 Qatar Airways

Qantas vs Virgin: Head-to-Head

Many Australians are members of either Qantas Frequent Flyer or Virgin Australia’s Velocity program – or both. Each program boasts some fantastic features and benefits, but which offers the best perks and the greatest overall value? Many of our members believe that Qantas comes out on top for numerous reasons. Firstly, Qantas’ larger range of … Continued

1 Oct 2015 Airlines, Miles and Points

NZ South Island – A Photographer’s Paradise

Well-travelled member PaulST recently visited the beautiful South Island of New Zealand for a week of adventure while taking in some truly breathtaking scenery. Taking advantage of Qantas’ direct service our member flew straight into Queenstown, the heart of the South Island. The breathtaking beauty of this part of New Zealand can be seen before … Continued

30 Sep 2015 Destinations

Hong Kong Off the Beaten Track

Hong Kong is a tourist’s paradise with attractions to keep any traveller occupied for days. For a first-time visitor, a ride on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car is a must. Especially on a clear day, the views of the Hong Kong skyline are spectacular and the Tian Tan Buddha is well worth a visit. … Continued

29 Sep 2015 Destinations

Singapore Smart Gates Now Available to Australians

Regular visitors to Singapore will be pleased to learn that from 1 October, Australians will be eligible to use the “enhanced-Immigration Automated Clearance System”, or eIACS usually available only to local residents passing through Singapore’s Changi Airport. Unfortunately, travellers will need to register first before they can use these “smart gates” and there are a … Continued

28 Sep 2015 Post Flight

250,000 Bonus Points on Offer to NAB Customers

We’ve seen some incredible bonus point offers circulating recently. A recent Amex sign-up bonus that saw new cardholders rewarded with 100,000 Virgin Velocity frequent flyer points. But a new promotion from NAB sees more than double that number of bonus points on the table, with a quarter of a million Velocity points on offer to … Continued

26 Sep 2015 NAB