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.

Avianca crew

Podcast #6: Buying LifeMiles

In Episode 6 of the AFF on AIR podcast, Matt discusses how you can buy miles at a huge discount in the current Avianca LifeMiles promotion, and redeem these miles for cut-price Star Alliance Business and First class flights. This episode also looks at the issues plaguing the new airports in Istanbul and Berlin, the … Continued

Buying LifeMiles – AIR006

  Matt discusses the current Avianca LifeMiles promotion, the issues plaguing the new airports in Istanbul and Berlin, the latest frequent flyer news, and more.   Episode contents: 0:50 – Fortnightly news round-up 5:13 – Buying LifeMiles for discounted premium cabin flights 16:47 – Will the new airports in Istanbul and Berlin ever open? 23:48 … Continued

The LifeMiles Screenshot Booking Method

Booking premium award travel with Avianca LifeMiles can be extraordinary value, especially if you’ve purchased LifeMiles at a discount. But booking flights on the new LifeMiles website can also be real patience tester. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to find and book the Star Alliance award flights that you want using the LifeMiles website. … Continued

room service at hotel

Hotel Scam: Charged for Fake Damage

An AFF member was mortified recently to discover an Australian hotel had processed $500 in erroneous charges after check-out. Mark3000 called the hotel to ask why their credit card had been charged $500 without their knowledge. The “aggressive” hotel manager claimed that this member had caused damage to the room. Mark3000 refutes this claim and the hotel … Continued

Hotel room quarantine

Fifth Night Free on Marriott, Hilton Awards

Hotel loyalty programs can be useful if you stay at hotels often. Points can be put towards free hotel nights, and there are two hotel loyalty programs that even offer every fifth night free when booking with points. The Marriott Bonvoy program offers the “fifth night free” benefit to all program members when redeeming points … Continued

Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Ultimate Sydney Stopover Guide

Do you have a Sydney stopover coming up? Australia’s largest city has plenty for visitors to see and do, and the airport is just a short train ride from the city centre. But if you’re just staying one night in Sydney between flights, there is also an increasingly large choice of airport hotels near both … Continued

Virgin Atlantic A330neo

How to Book Virgin Atlantic Flights with Velocity Points

As a Virgin Australia partner, Virgin Atlantic flights can be booked using Velocity Frequent Flyer points. This could be a handy option if you want to travel to the UK from Asia, North America, South Africa or – from 25 September 2019 – Israel. UK-based Virgin Atlantic is not to be confused with Australia-based Virgin … Continued

Uber

Uber Introduces Tipping in Australia

Uber has sparked controversy by encouraging riders in Australia and New Zealand to tip their Uber driver. Last Thursday, US-based Uber added the new tipping functionality to its Uber and Uber Eats apps. Previously, tipping was only encouraged by Uber in the United States where the practice is already commonplace. Uber customers in Australia and … Continued

man traveler with hat holding beer glass and looking to airplane, Asian passenger sitting and relax in modern lounge at international airport terminal. Travel concept

PNG Air Lounge Open to Qantas & Velocity Members

Do you have Silver, Gold or Platinum status with Qantas or Velocity Frequent Flyer? Then you’re eligible for access to two airport lounges that you won’t see advertised on the Qantas or Virgin Australia websites! PNG Air is the second-largest airline in Papua New Guinea. It operates a network of domestic routes using its fleet … Continued