Latest news

Australia Scraps Digital Passenger Declaration

The Australian government will scrap the requirement for anyone flying to Australia to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration from 6 July 2022. From the same date, all remaining international COVID-19 border restrictions will also be removed. This includes the requirement for visitors to Australia to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Most Australian state & territories have … Continued

4 Jul 2022 Coronavirus and Travel

Qantas Mulls Lounge Membership Gifting for Points Club Plus

For Qantas Frequent Flyer members who earn at least 350,000 points each year, Points Club Plus membership comes with some great benefits. But for Qantas flyers who already hold Gold, Platinum or Platinum One status, one of the key Points Club Plus benefits is absolutely useless. Qantas has realised this, and could now be considering changes … Continued

4 Jul 2022 Qantas

Warning: Don’t Change Qantas Reward Bookings via Call Centre!

There appears to be a systematic problem where Qantas call centre staff are accidentally cancelling confirmed Classic Flight Reward bookings when customers call to enquire about changing their flights. Over recent months, multiple Australian Frequent Flyer members have reported that their Classic Reward bookings were cancelled without their knowledge after they phoned Qantas. In each … Continued

4 Jul 2022 Qantas

Qantas Restores Seamless Sydney Terminal Transfers

Transferring between Qantas international and domestic flights at Sydney Airport has just got a lot easier, with Qantas bringing back its seamless bus transfer service in both directions. Over recent months, Qantas had been offering a “Seamless Lite” transfer service from Terminal 1 (international) to Terminal 3 (domestic) at Sydney Airport. Unfortunately, these bus services … Continued

3 Jul 2022 Airports & Lounges

These Qantas International Lounges Are Now Open

Lounge access is now available at all of the international airports where Qantas currently flies except for Dili. Qantas today reopened its international Business Lounge in Wellington, as well as its Auckland Business & First Lounges. It also recently reopened its Singapore First Lounge and Perth International Transit Lounge, which is now available to eligible passengers … Continued

1 Jul 2022 Qantas

Airlines Slash Travel Agent Commissions

Many international airlines are about to slash the commissions they pay to Australian travel agents by as much as 80%, upending the traditional business model of travel agencies. From tomorrow (1 July 2022), airlines including Qantas and British Airways will reduce the base commission paid to travel agents via Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) on … Continued

30 Jun 2022 Planning & Booking

Australian State Requirements for Interstate & International Arrivals

Most Australian states and territories have now removed all interstate and international travel requirements, including for unvaccinated travellers. WA was the last to do so, removing the requirement to apply for a G2G Pass to travel to WA on 29 April 2022. Australian states & territories are also now allowing quarantine-free travel from overseas for … Continued

30 Jun 2022 Coronavirus and Travel

The World’s Safest Countries According to Smartraveller

If you’re looking for a safe destination to enjoy your next overseas holiday, look no further than Fiji – according to the Australian government. Over recent weeks and months, the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) has been updating the travel advice for many of the countries listed on its Smartraveller website. The first … Continued

29 Jun 2022 Coronavirus and Travel

Air New Zealand Unveils Refreshed Long-Haul Cabins

Air New Zealand has revealed the new Business Class and Premium Economy seats that it will install on its long-haul fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft from 2024. The new cabins are set to offer a markedly better experience for passengers, particularly in “Business Premier”. The airline is also proceeding with plans to install bunk beds … Continued

29 Jun 2022 Air New Zealand

Qantas Reduces Refund Waiting Times

Throughout the pandemic, many Qantas customers have complained about having to wait many weeks or months to receive a refund from Qantas for cancelled flights. Others have found it too difficult to request a refund. The good news is that Qantas recently made changes to its refund processes to make it easier and faster for … Continued

27 Jun 2022 Qantas

Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX Business Class Review

Air Canada offers 16 Business Class recliner seats on its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, which is most commonly used for short and medium-haul flights. I recently tried out Air Canada’s Business Class service on a flight from Mexico City to Montreal, which I booked using Virgin Australia Velocity points. The service exceeded my expectations. … Continued

26 Jun 2022 Flight Reviews

Podcast #87: Getting an Airline Status Match

Many Australian Frequent Flyer members would already know about the benefits of elite airline status. As a reward for your loyalty, you’ll receive special treatment and lots of extra benefits like lounge access, priority at the airport or better access to upgrades that make your travel experience just that much better. If you have status with … Continued

25 Jun 2022 AFF on Air Podcast