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’ iPads Know All About You
Have you ever wondered how your Qantas flight attendant instantly knew your favourite drink, your preferred name, or perhaps where you worked? The answer is that Qantas knows more about you than you may think. The Customer Service Manager (CSM) on every Qantas flight has access to a whole range of information about their passengers … Continued
Virgin Customer Confusion
After a disappointing flight, one member recently contacted Virgin Australia to inquire about a lack of food or drinks on board. But the follow-up “customer service” was so abysmal, it left them feeling even more disappointed with the airline than they had been before complaining! Our member was initially disappointed not to receive a meal … Continued
20th Anniversary Celebrations in the Sky
What better way to celebrate a milestone anniversary than by jetting off overseas in Business class? As if the occasion couldn’t have been more special, it also happened to be the first long-haul Business class flight for our member clipped_wings. The flight chosen to mark the occasion was Sydney-Los Angeles, and our member was lucky enough … Continued
Skipping the First Flight on a Booking
There could be any number of reasons not to take the first flight of a multi-sector booking. For example, one member recently discovered that it was cheaper to book a ticket from Perth to Singapore via Melbourne, than a direct Melbourne-Singapore flight. Being based in Melbourne, the member is considering purchasing the ticket from Perth … Continued
Woolworths Revamps Rewards Program
Woolworths has announced long-awaited changes to its unpopular loyalty program. Woolworths customers will once again be able to earn Qantas points at the checkout, and points will now be earned on all purchases – not just specially-marked promotional items. From Wednesday 31 August, one Woolworths Point will be earned for every dollar spent at Woolworths, … Continued
Qantas Cancellation Catastrophe
One member is bitterly disappointed after Qantas cancelled their booking without notifying them. Adding insult to injury, the airline even charged a cancellation fee. This member had redeemed their hard-earned Qantas points for a flight to Tanzania on oneworld partner Qatar Airways. The points were debited from the member’s frequent flyer account and the additional … Continued
China Southern Put to the Test
Our member mushez recently sampled China Southern Airlines on a quick trip to China. Four China Southern flights were taken in total as our member flew from Brisbane to Shanghai and back, with a stopover in Guangzhou in both directions. So, would the airline meet expectations? Concerned about the quality of the catering, our member stocked … Continued
Air Asia and Scoot Launch Cheap Flights to Europe
Low-cost airlines Air Asia X and Scoot have both announced new flights to Europe, and tickets from Australia to Europe are now on sale for as little as $369! From 30 October 2016, Air Asia X will commence flights from Kuala Lumpur to Barcelona using an Airbus A330. The flights will operate via Istanbul, and … Continued
Avoid High Taxes on Reward Flights
When redeeming frequent flyer points, high taxes can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of a “free” flight. These taxes typically need to be paid with real money, in addition to the points required. Many airlines also impose their own “carrier charges”, sometimes disguised as fuel surcharges. Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and British Airways … Continued