Latest news

Finally, free food on all Virgin flights

Virgin Australia began offering free food on all domestic flights last week. The news has been largely welcomed by our members, who have long complained of Virgin’s lack of consistency when it comes to in-flight service. Until now, those on flights between the east coast and Perth already received a complimentary hot meal. However the … Continued

20 Apr 2015 Virgin Australia

IHG Rewards Club enhancements – Positive or not?

Our members are divided over changes recently announced by Intercontinental Hotels Group to its loyalty program, IHG Rewards Club. Are the changes a positive thing for customers or not? A major part of the announcement is the creation of a new tier above Platinum, which is currently the highest tier. At the same time, IHG … Continued

18 Apr 2015 IHG One Rewards

Travel Insurance Trap

This week our members discuss paid insurance policies versus credit card-based travel insurance for international travel. One member is concerned about the fine print and asks our members views about whether ‘free’ international travel insurance attached to credit cards provides viable coverage. Our members have lived and learned and can provide some key tips in … Continued

16 Apr 2015 Credit Cards

Cherry blossoms and mouth-watering Japanese cuisine

We’ve been privileged recently on AFF to see a number of quality trip reports from first-time writers. The latest comes from our member KitKat, who recently travelled to Japan in cherry blossom season. Having missed the cherry blossoms in Seoul last year, we decided to give it a go this time in Japan. We would … Continued

15 Apr 2015 Destinations

Hotel recommendations in the nation’s capital

Ahead of an upcoming trip to Canberra, one member asks for advice on hotels in the national capital from our community. I will be travelling to Canberra early May to receive an posthumous award on behalf of my father. I need somewhere central to stay, nice but not too expensive if you understand. It is … Continued

14 Apr 2015 Hotel Loyalty Programs

Airfares to the USA hit rock bottom

The recent drop in the price of airfares between Australia and the United States is like music to the ears of many a traveller. In recent months we have seen some very good sales on this route, with Qantas selling off-peak tickets for under $1,200 and Virgin Australia undercutting that even more. But a current … Continued

13 Apr 2015 Air New Zealand

The Pitfalls and Benefits of Mystery Hotel Bookings

This week our members discuss the advantages and pitfalls of booking mystery hotels. Hotel booking sites Wotif.com, Lastminute.com.au and Hotwire.com are among a range of websites that offer such mystery hotel deals. Customers can blindly book a hotel, which remains a surprise until after the room has been paid for. The sites promise big discounts, … Continued

11 Apr 2015 Hotel Loyalty Programs

Mid-air emergency: Medics on Board

It appears that doctors are always “on-call”, even whilst en route to a holiday. One member shares their experience about answering the call on board for a medic in an emergency situation. This medic was extremely impressed with the medical and physician kits available to assist in an on-board emergency. This member encourages all in … Continued

9 Apr 2015 Travel Lifestyle

Crossing the Tasman in ultimate luxury

There are countless ways to fly across the ditch to New Zealand these days. But most would agree that there is no better way to travel to the land of the long white cloud than in the luxury of first class on board an Emirates A380! This week Pushka got to do just that, and … Continued

8 Apr 2015 Flight Reviews

Is Epiqure Premium Membership Worthwhile?

Many of our wine-loving members are also members of Qantas’ food and wine community, Qantas Wine (formerly epiQure). The program claims to offer good deals on premium wines, and many of our members are also attracted by the proposition of bonus frequent flyer points. Anyone can order wine from epiQure, but becoming a full member … Continued

7 Apr 2015 Qantas

No thongs allowed in Qantas Club: A step too far?

The issue of minimum dress standards in the Qantas Club is proving a hot topic that has our members divided. Qantas recently began actively enforcing its long-standing Qantas Club dress code. Lounge entrants are now required to adhere to basic minimum dress standards. Items like thongs and singlets are off the list of allowed items … Continued

6 Apr 2015 Airports & Lounges

Codeshare flight seat selection conundrum

One member is running into problems attempting to select a seat on their upcoming codeshare flights. I have purchased flights with LAN as marketing carrier but operating carrier is QF. I only have a LAN PNR – tried to get the QF one and QF tell me I do not exist in their system from … Continued

4 Apr 2015 Oneworld