Airline Status

Airline status ensures an enjoyable experience when flying with the airline putting you ahead of the crowd when trying to get an upgrade, complimentary lounge access and other benefits.

Velocity Cuts Some Partner Airline Benefits

Velocity Cuts Partner Airline Benefits

Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program has permanently removed some of the benefits offered to frequent flyers when travelling with international partner airlines. Upgrades and lounge access are among the tier benefits axed when flying with some partner airlines. Although Velocity Frequent Flyer only announced these cutbacks yesterday, its website states that they came into … Continued

15 Oct 2020 Virgin Australia
Qantas lounge entry

Qantas Wrongly Refuses Lounge Access Again

Qantas says it has issued a reminder to staff after a Oneworld Emerald frequent flyer was incorrectly refused Qantas Club access for a second time in a row. Last week we brought you the story of AFF member Muppet501st, who has Oneworld Emerald status as a Qatar Airways Platinum member. On a recent visit to … Continued

5 Oct 2020 Qantas
Air New Zealand Extends Status for a Second Year

Air New Zealand Extends Status for a Second Year

With flights reduced and many international borders closed this year due to coronavirus, many airlines have already extended the elite status of their frequent flyers by 6-12 months. But Air New Zealand is going a step further. Having already extended the status of its frequent flyers by 12 months in March 2020, Air New Zealand … Continued

30 Sep 2020 Air New Zealand
How to get a Qantas Club Discount

Qantas Clarifies Lounge Access for Oneworld Frequent Flyers

Airport lounge access rules can be confusing at the best of times. But issues arise particularly often when frequent flyers try to use their status benefits from one airline while crediting the flight to a different airline’s frequent flyer program. If you have Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status with an airline other than Qantas, such … Continued

27 Sep 2020 Oneworld
Qantas Sacks Platinum One Special Service Team

Qantas Cuts Platinum One Special Service Team

Qantas’ top-tier Platinum One frequent flyers no longer have access to a dedicated support team, with the airline reportedly cutting its Platinum One Special Service Team last Friday. 23 Canberra-based staff have been offered redeployment in other parts of the business, as Qantas seeks to drastically cut costs. Qantas advertises “round the clock support” from … Continued

12 Sep 2020 Qantas
Marriott Bonvoy Status Match [2020]

Marriott Bonvoy Status Match [2020]

Marriott Bonvoy has launched a brand new status match & challenge for members with existing Accor, Hilton, Hyatt or IHG status. If you currently hold status with one of these four competing hotel loyalty programs, you can now receive equivalent status with Marriott Bonvoy for 90 days at no cost. Once the status match is … Continued

How Can Overseas Members Renew Qantas Status in 2021?

How Can Overseas Members Renew Qantas Status in 2021?

Update (November 2020): Qantas has now announced complimentary status extensions for all Qantas Frequent Flyer members residing outside Australia or New Zealand, whose status is due to expire between March-December 2021. There are no further complimentary status extensions for members whose status expires in January or February 2022. To renew your Qantas Frequent Flyer status, … Continued

27 Aug 2020 Qantas
Turkish Airlines priority boarding sign

Triple Status Credit Offers Have Begun

It is widely anticipated that airlines will be doing everything they can to lure back customers in the coming period, as travel recovers from the COVID-19 shutdown. Cheap airfares, loyalty programs and special promotions will form a large part of that. Last month, we already saw a “triple frequent flyer points” offer from Qantas. It … Continued

23 Jul 2020 Other Airlines
Earn Qantas Status Credits for Hotel Bookings

Earn Qantas Status Credits for Hotel Bookings

Qantas Frequent Flyer members can now earn up to 125 status credits for selected hotel bookings until 31 August 2020. This promotion includes 40 luxury hotels in Australia and New Zealand for stays up to 31 March 2021. The number of Qantas status credits earned varies by hotel, but in general you’ll earn around 10-15 … Continued

15 Jul 2020 Qantas
Qantas status cards

Qantas Gifts Status Credits to Frequent Flyers

Qantas is gifting up to 1,800 status credits to frequent flyers, making it easier for members to renew their status with the airline next year. In addition to the Status Credit Boost, Qantas is providing monthly Status Credit Support to frequent flyers with membership years ending between March and August. Existing Qantas Silver, Gold, Platinum … Continued

14 Jul 2020 Qantas
Podcast #40: The Accidental $28 Million Flight Refund

Podcast #40: The Accidental $28 Million Flight Refund

Imagine discovering that your available credit card balance is suddenly over $28 million! That’s exactly what happened to AFF moderator JessicaTam recently after Qatar Airways accidentally refunded her in Australian Dollars instead Indonesia Rupiah. (Oops!) In Episode 40 of the AFF on AIR podcast, JessicaTam joins Matt to discuss the story of her Qatar Airways … Continued

Guide to Qatar Airways Privilege Club Status

How Qatar Airways Botched its Status Match Promo

In May, Qatar Airways launched a rare status match promotion for frequent flyers of six airlines including Virgin Australia. Velocity members were invited to apply for the match, and most applicants have now received reciprocal Qatar Airways Privilege Club status. It was a great deal for Velocity members, especially at a time of uncertainty surrounding … Continued

10 Jul 2020 Qatar Airways