Author: Matt Graham
Matt Graham
Matt was the editor of Australian Frequent Flyer from 2015 until 2025. His passion for travel has taken him to more than 100 countries - with a lot of help along the way from frequent flyer points! Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. His interests include aviation, economics & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine. You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @Mattg.
Vulnerable Australians Stranded Overseas – AIR045
Next week, the Australian government will increase the number of Australians that can arrive each week from 4,000 to around 6,000 people. This is a welcome step forward and will definitely help to clear the backlog of Australians stranded overseas. But with at least 24,000 Australians currently registered as stranded – and perhaps closer … Continued
What to Expect in Australian Hotel Quarantine
If you’re returning to Australia from overseas – or travelling interstate from a designated COVID-19 hotspot – there’s a good chance you’ll end up in hotel quarantine. Since 29 March 2020, anyone arriving in Australia is required to undergo 14 days of managed isolation in a hotel room. This needs to be completed in government-designated … Continued
ACCC Fears for Airline Competition in Australia
The ACCC will maintain close scrutiny on domestic airline competition over the next three years amid concerns that some airlines could exploit the pandemic to engage in anti-competitive behaviour. Yesterday, the ACCC handed down its first of many quarterly reports that it will produce for the federal government until 2023, outlining the impact of COVID-19 … Continued
Qantas Flight to Nowhere Sells Out in Minutes
Who would want to book a seven-hour Qantas flight to nowhere? In the age of coronavirus and border closures, apparently lots of people! Earlier today, Qantas released 134 seats for sale on a seven-hour scenic joy flight that departs and arrives in Sydney. The Boeing 787 flight will take place on 10 October 2020 and … Continued
No Refunds as Many Priority Pass Lounges Remain Closed
Priority Pass members have complained that they have not been offered refunds, even though they have been unable to travel and many airport lounges have been closed since March. Priority Pass sells annual memberships which, under normal circumstances, grant access to over 1,300 participating airport lounges & restaurants around the world. This includes 8 lounges … Continued
Qantas Club Gives Further Six-Month Extensions
Qantas Club is extending all paid lounge memberships for a further six months, bringing the total extension to 12 months. The validity of most complimentary Qantas Club lounge invitations is also being extended by a further six months. Qantas originally extended the membership of all Qantas Club members by six months in late March 2020, … Continued
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
Random Acts of Kindness While Travelling
One of the best things about travelling is the people you meet along the way. The world is full of generous, humble souls. This week, our members are discussing surprising and unexpected gifts they have received while travelling. There are stories of incredible generosity and random acts of kindness… as well as a few … Continued
Qantas Petitions for State Borders to Reopen
Qantas yesterday launched a fresh petition designed to place pressure on Australia’s state governments to reopen borders where it’s safe to do so. The petition, hosted on the Qantas website, calls on governments to “safely open our borders”. Qantas is encouraging its employees and customers to sign it. Here’s what the Qantas state border petition … Continued