Author: Matt Graham

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to more than 100 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course! 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 @AFF Editor.

Qantas 787 Dreamliner

New Qantas Chicago, San Francisco Flights on Sale

Qantas has revealed the schedule of its new Brisbane-Chicago and Brisbane-San Francisco flights, which are now on sale. Qantas will fly three times per week from Brisbane to San Francisco from 9 February 2020. Meanwhile, non-stop service from Brisbane to Chicago will commence on 15 April 2020 (previously 20 April) and operate four times per … Continued

Fly British Airways to Singapore with Qantas Points

Did you know that British Airways flies from Sydney to Singapore? The Qantas partner, which is a member of the Oneworld alliance, serves this fifth-freedom route every day with a 4-class Boeing 777-300ER. The British Airways Sydney-Singapore flight continues to London mirroring QF1, Qantas’ “kangaroo route” service. This British Airways route is of interest to Qantas … Continued

Dynamic Currency Conversion offered at an ATM in Europe

Beware of Dynamic Currency Conversion

Have you ever been asked while travelling whether you wanted to pay in Australian dollars or the local currency? The offer to pay in Australian dollars overseas is known as “dynamic currency conversion”, and it’s a complete and total rip-off. When a customer pays using dynamic currency conversion, the merchant makes a commission. So it’s … Continued

VPN

A VPN is a Must-Have for Overseas Internet Access & Security

If you travel overseas a lot, there are several reasons it can be beneficial to use a virtual private network, or VPN. As well as improved online security, VPNs allow you to circumvent geo-blocking and watch streaming services like US Netflix and ABC iView while you are overseas. While you’re online, a VPN connects your … Continued

Qantas and American Airlines tails

Final Approval for Qantas, American Joint Venture

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has officially granted final approval for Qantas to commence its Joint Venture with American Airlines. It follows the tentative approval which was given last month for coordination on trans-Pacific flights between the United States and Australia & New Zealand. The final approval paves the way for Qantas to launch new, … Continued

Canada

Canada Introduces Air Passenger Protections

If you’re flying to, from or within Canada, you’re now entitled to up to $1,000 in compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled. And if you’re bumped from a flight due to overbooking, you could receive up to $2,400. As part of new Air Passenger Protection laws, airlines in Canada are also now required … Continued

Why Business Class can be Cheaper than Economy

Premium airline cabins normally command a significant price premium over Economy. But, occasionally, Business class tickets are in fact cheaper than Economy! AFF members have discovered multiple examples of Virgin Australia Business fares that were cheaper than Economy class on the same flight. So, why does this happen… and why would anyone still book an Economy … Continued

How to Get an Exemption to Leave Australia

Qantas Denies Boarding for Damaged Passport

An AFF member is $1,500 out of pocket after Qantas denied them boarding due to minor passport damage. While an unfortunate mistake by the passenger, the airline also could have done more to resolve the situation. Cossie was flying from Canberra to Jakarta with Qantas. This member was also booked to continue from Jakarta to Amsterdam … Continued

Delta Air Lines Boeing 717 at Montreal Airport

Delta Updates Comfort+ Fare Classes

Delta has re-jigged the fare classes used for its Comfort+ and Premium Select cabins, resulting in changes to Velocity Frequent Flyer earning. Delta is now using both “W” and “S” fare classes for its domestic Comfort+ product. The “S” class was previously used for Discount Economy tickets, causing some concern that the change would result in … Continued