Author: Matt Graham
Qantas Oneworld Award Not Just for Round-the-World Trips
The Oneworld Classic Flight Reward is a very popular Qantas Frequent Flyer redemption, and for good reason. For just 132,400 Qantas points in Economy or 318,000 Qantas points in Business Class (plus taxes), you could fly around the world with up to five stopovers! But the Qantas Oneworld Classic Flight Reward (sometimes referred to as … Continued
Virgin Australia Restores Arrivals Lounge Access
Virgin Australia will finally reinstate lounge access on arrival for Velocity Platinum and Gold members from next Monday, 25 April 2022. Before the pandemic, access to Virgin Australia Lounges after arriving at the destination was an advertised benefit for Velocity Platinum members and Business Class passengers. It was also offered, subject to availability, to Velocity … Continued
SWISS A220 Business Class Review
Part of the Lufthansa Group, SWISS operates a large network of long-haul routes as well as short-haul flights to destinations across Europe, from its hubs in Zurich and Geneva. While SWISS offers lie-flat beds in Business Class on its wide-body aircraft used for long-haul flights, short-haul Business Class within Europe is quite a different affair. … Continued
Nasty TRS Change Reversed
The Australian government has reversed an unfortunate change it made to the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) last year that would have made the scheme virtually useless to most Australians. With the TRS, anyone departing Australia on an international flight can claim back the GST or Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) on products with a combined value … Continued
Australia Ends Most Remaining Travel Restrictions
The days of travel bans and restrictions in Australia are largely over, with the government officially ending the Biosecurity Emergency Period yesterday. The Australian government initially invoked this emergency period on 15 March 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic was in its infancy. The federal government then continuously extended this period for a total of 25 … Continued
Podcast #82: Berlin’s Surprisingly Functional New Airport
It may have opened almost a decade behind schedule after being plagued by outrageous construction problems that made it the butt of jokes for years. But now that Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has finally opened, Matt recently discovered that it’s so efficient and functional that it’s almost disappointing. (Except for the contaminated tap water!) Also … Continued
Berlin’s Surprisingly Functional New Airport – AIR082
Opening 9 years behind schedule, the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Germany became the subject of many jokes due to the ridiculous problems that plagued its construction. But now that it’s open, what’s it actually like to fly out of BER Airport? Matt recently found out and shares his experience on this episode of … Continued
Major Qantas Domestic Catering Problems
Many Qantas domestic flights over this Easter long weekend have departed without normal catering on board due to severe staffing shortages at the airline’s caterer. Australian Frequent Flyer understands that the catering problems began last Thursday. Things are expected to return to normal by Tuesday, 19 April 2022. The catering issues have been affecting many … Continued
Australian Passport Processing Times Blow Out
Australian passport application and renewal processing times have increased dramatically in recent weeks as more Aussies prepare to travel overseas again. In the months before Australia removed its international travel ban in late 2021, many people reported that their passport applications were processed in just a few days. But demand has since picked up considerably, … Continued