Flight Upgrades

Flight Upgrades is a popular topic at the Australian Frequent Flyer. Much of the discussion is about upgrading to a premium cabin class of travel.

Optimal Strategy for 14 Annual Europe Trips

One member faces the unenvious prospect of taking up to 14 trips between Brisbane and Dublin over the next year. As this member will be paying for the flights themselves, they are looking for strategies to optimise their travel experience and hopefully score a few upgrades along the way. I’m looking at doing either 13 or … Continued

Qantas A380 Business class

Qantas Point Upgrades: Good Value?

Qantas recently increased the number of points required for a flight upgrade to Premium Economy, Business or First class. An Economy to Business class upgrade to Los Angeles, for example, increased from 72,000 to 90,000 points. So, do Qantas point upgrades still represent good value? The short answer is that upgrades are still good value for … Continued

15 Apr 2017 Qantas

Virgin Launches Melbourne-Hong Kong Flights

Virgin Australia is expanding into Asia with the launch of 5x weekly flights between Melbourne and Hong Kong. The flights will operate to a rather bizarre schedule with the first flight departing for Hong Kong on 5 July, 2017. VA87 will depart Melbourne for Hong Kong at 10.25am on Mondays and 9.40am on Wednesdays, while … Continued

27 Mar 2017 Virgin Australia
Emirates A380 shower

Emirates to Charge for On-Board Showers?

As competition in the international aviation market intensifies, cash-strapped airlines are eagerly searching for new ways to make money. With international airfares at record lows, even full-service airlines are beginning to look towards ancillary revenue. Ancillary revenue refers to the income received by airlines for additional products and services which are not included in the cost of … Continued

25 Feb 2017 Emirates

No Value in Business Class?

Business class may offer a more comfortable seat and a better meal, but it seems not everyone sees the value in flying up front. Some members believe that the differences do not justify the higher price of Business class, especially when multiple trips in cattle class can be had for the price of a single … Continued

5 Jan 2017 The Journey

Redeeming Virgin Velocity Points to the USA

Redeeming Virgin Velocity points for Business class flights to the United States used to be fairly simple. But in recent times, securing a reward seat has become a real challenge. All Velocity members can redeem points for Business reward seats. Velocity Gold and Platinum members can also request a points upgrade to Business class, provided … Continued

The Key to a Successful Points Upgrade

Upgrading to Business or First class is not only an affordable way to travel in luxury, but also an excellent use of frequent flyer points. Unfortunately, there’s a catch: upgrades can be difficult to secure, and there’s a risk that your request will be unsuccessful. But there’s some good news if you want to use … Continued

Premium Economy Disappointment

Premium Economy is an increasingly popular middle-ground between Economy and Business class. But according to one disappointed member, the experience is NOT worth the premium price-tag. This member flew Singapore Airlines to Europe and back, paying significantly more than an Economy ticket. But they did not find the Premium Economy service to be a marked … Continued

Qantas A380 Business class

Qantas Increases Upgrade Rates

Qantas has quietly announced a range of price increases for upgrades using Qantas points across its domestic and international network. The cost of a points upgrade will increase by as much as 25% on some routes, with those upgrading from cheaper Economy class tickets hit the hardest under the revised rates. For domestic flights, the … Continued

21 Nov 2016 Qantas
Qantas 747 Premium Economy

Fly to the USA in Comfort

It’s no secret that flying Business or First class is more comfortable than flying Economy. But if you can’t afford a Business class ticket – and don’t have enough points to redeem one – what other options are available to fly to the USA in comfort? Does anyone have any ideas on how to fly from … Continued

Hotel Review: Sheraton on the Park, Sydney

AFF is not just about flying! Hotels are also an important part of the travel experience. In fact, AFF has an entire forum dedicated to hotel experiences and reviews. Our member mmchow recently wrote a review about their experience at Sydney’s Sheraton on the Park hotel. Sheraton on the Park Sydney is located in Elizabeth St, … Continued

14 Sep 2016 Hotel Reviews
Emirates Boeing 777 Business Class

Emirates Upgrade Changes Hit Qantas Flyers

Qantas frequent flyers have enjoyed many benefits when flying Emirates since the Qantas-Emirates alliance was established in 2013. One of the most popular benefits, albeit an unofficial one, has been the free upgrades. Emirates has become renowned for dishing out generous operational upgrades, and Qantas flyers with Platinum or Gold status have been the beneficiaries of many … Continued

5 Sep 2016 Emirates