Award Availability

Award Availability is a popular topic at the Australian Frequent Flyer. The ongoing challenge is to find an award ticket on the flight you want and when you want it.

Qantas Points "The Envy of the World"? Absolutely Not!

Qantas Points “The Envy of the World”? Absolutely Not!

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce recently told a room full of business leaders and journalists in Perth that the airline’s frequent flyer scheme and points “are the envy of the world”. In this month’s Qantas Magazine, Joyce also wrote that Qantas is “making it easier for members to book that dream trip with Qantas Points”. Sadly, the … Continued

15 Aug 2022 Qantas
Qatar Airways Boeing 787-9 Business Class

Qatar Airways Awards Vanish from Qantas Website

Update (24 September): Limited Qatar Airways award availability has returned to the Qantas website, but only for certain travel dates and cabin classes. It appears that Qantas Frequent Flyer members now only have access to the full suite of Qatar Airways award availability for Economy bookings up to 249 days in advance, and Business/First Class … Continued

3 Aug 2022 Qatar Airways
Air New Zealand 787 Business Premier seat

Unusual Air New Zealand Award Availability

When it comes to releasing Business Class award seats to partner airlines, Air New Zealand would have to be one of the world’s stingiest airlines. But there is now a surprisingly good amount of Business Class award space on certain routes including Melbourne-Auckland, for travel dates within the next three months. Although New Zealand’s national … Continued

Air Canada window view

Podcast #89: Bye-Bye LifeMiles, Hello Aeroplan?

Before the pandemic, Avianca’s LifeMiles frequent flyer program was a popular choice for bargain hunters looking to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on Star Alliance Business & First Class flights. LifeMiles were – and still are – regularly available with generous bonus miles attached, and these could be redeemed for flights all over … Continued

Thai Airways Boeing 777-300ER Business Class

No Availability: What’s the Point of Buying LifeMiles in 2022?

LifeMiles, the frequent flyer program of Star Alliance member Avianca, is known for its regular and generous promotions that make it cheap to buy miles. For example, during the current offer running from 4-26 July 2022, you could earn 125-145% bonus LifeMiles on all purchases. Before the pandemic, buying LifeMiles during a promo was often … Continued

14 Jul 2022 Avianca
Qatar Airways 777 in oneworld livery

Qatar Airways Resumes Canberra-Doha Flights

Qatar Airways will add a second daily service between Doha and Melbourne from 1 October 2022, with the service continuing from Melbourne to Canberra. The daily Canberra-Melbourne-Doha flights will be operated by Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777-300ER with Qsuites in Business Class. This will be the schedule: QR989 Canberra 14:30 – Melbourne 15:45 / Melbourne 17:15 – … Continued

8 Jul 2022 Qatar Airways
Qantas A380 First Class dining

Bizarre Trick to Get Qantas First Class Awards

Update: Since this article was published, Qantas appears to have pulled all First Class award inventory. For many people with Qantas Frequent Flyer points, redeeming for a First Class international flight is the “holy grail” of rewards. But it can be exceptionally difficult to find Qantas First Class award availability, even if you have status … Continued