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.

Qantas Closes Bangkok Lounge

Qantas has permanently closed another of its Qantas Club airport lounges. Qantas Club members and other eligible customers flying from Bangkok are now being redirected to the Louis Tavern CIP Lounge in Concourse G. A number of members believe the change is a detrimental one as the CIP lounge is not up to the same … Continued

Major American AAdvantage Devaluation Coming

American Airlines has announced a major devaluation of its popular AAdvantage frequent flyer program. Among other things, Australian travellers will be most affected by the increased rates for redeeming miles on flights. But the changes go further. American is changing the way members can qualify for elite status, as well as removing some benefits from … Continued

Fast-track to Virgin Velocity Status

Gold status with Virgin Australia’s Velocity program can be a valuable asset for frequent travellers. Benefits include complimentary lounge access, increased upgrade opportunities, bonus points and even the ability to change to an earlier flight for free. Virgin status can be earned by flying with Virgin Australia and its partner airlines. Often the path to … Continued

Etihad Guest Miles Now Available at Coles

In a supermarket shake-up, Etihad Guest miles can now be earned at Coles. As part of the new tie-up between Etihad Guest and Coles’ Flybuys loyalty program, shoppers can now even earn tier miles towards Etihad elite status while buying groceries! Flybuys points can be converted to Etihad Guest miles in blocks of 10,000, with … Continued

26 Oct 2015 Flybuys

British Airways: A Smart Alternative to Qantas Frequent Flyer?

After a series of recent changes that have effectively devalued the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, many are looking towards alternatives. Virgin Australia is an obvious choice, while the American Airlines AAdvantage program is a popular program within the oneworld alliance. But the British Airways Executive Club program is rarely given a second thought by most … Continued

24 Oct 2015 British Airways

QF Freq Flyer Changes: A Dog’s Breakfast?

Qantas has quietly slashed the number of frequent flyer points and status credits earned when flying on many partner airlines. It’s the second major change in as many years, and many members are not happy. Status credits determine a member’s elite status level with the airline, so a decrease in the number of status credits … Continued

22 Oct 2015 Qantas

Major Velocity Changes Imminent?

Speculation is rife that some major changes to Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program are just around the corner. Benefits offered to frequent flyers would likely be at the heart of the changes, with lifetime Platinum status among the many developments under consideration. The speculation is the result of a recent survey sent to Gold … Continued

15 Oct 2015 Virgin Australia

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

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

Shortcuts to Elite Status with Hilton Hotels

Hotel loyalty programs, such as the Hilton Hotels “HHonors” scheme are sometimes overlooked. But for frequent travellers, there are some fantastic benefits on offer. The key benefits of hotel status, apart from free hotel nights, come with elite status. Hilton’s program has three premium status tiers; Silver, Gold and Diamond. Silver status is earned after … Continued

12 Sep 2015 Hilton Honors

Platinum Perks Whittled Away

It’s not that long ago that Qantas Platinum status came with the “ultimate” in perks. No expense was to be spared for the airline’s valuable Platinum members. But with Platinum One (and Chairman’s Lounge) members now trumping Platinum members, combined with a seemingly never-ending cycle of devaluations and cost-cutting, some members feel that their Platinum … Continued

5 Sep 2015 Qantas

Qantas Loyalty a One-Way Street?

After many years of loyalty to the flying kangaroo, one dissatisfied member feels that Qantas has failed to return the favour. This member has held Platinum status for over a decade, but had to put overseas travel on hold for a year due to the birth of a child. Qantas does not allow members to … Continued

3 Sep 2015 Qantas