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.
Airfares to South America Hit Record Lows
If you’ve always wanted to visit South America, there has never been a better time! Flights between Australia and South America have traditionally been expensive. But, to the delight of travellers, this appears to be changing. In late 2015, Air New Zealand launched flights from Auckland to Buenos Aires. This effectively broke the monopoly of … Continued
Hertz Hire Car Scam
Several members have accused Hertz at Sydney Airport of unfairly scamming extra charges out of customers. They claim that Hertz charged them for minor pre-existing, and even non-existent damage. According to one member, Hertz staff in Sydney have even been instructed to actively seek out damage, regardless of how minor, and to charge for it. … Continued
Honeymooning in New Zealand
Our member GarrettM recently shared his experience of honeymooning in New Zealand in the form of a trip report. Visiting both the North and South Island, there were many highlights in this country renowned for its natural beauty and friendly locals. Flying across the Tasman via Melbourne, our newly-wed member began the trip in Auckland. … Continued
A Family Trip to Europe on Points
Redeeming points for Business class flights can be a challenge at the best of times. Award availability can be limited, especially on long-haul international flights. But what’s harder than redeeming points for one person? Redeeming for a whole family! One member is looking to redeem points for a family of three. This member would like … Continued
Could Virgin be the next Ansett?
There are further signs of financial turmoil at Virgin Australia after Air New Zealand flagged plans to sell its financial stake in the airline. The CEO of Air New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, has also resigned from the Virgin Australia board. The news has led some concerned members, fearing a repeat of the Ansett collapse, to empty … Continued
Is Duty Free Alcohol a Rip-Off?
Airport Duty Free outlets were once a great place to pick up a bargain. But it seems that bargains are now few and far between. Taxes and duties should not be payable on Duty Free alcohol. Yet it’s often the same price – or even more expensive – at the airport than Dan Murphy’s or … Continued
Chasing Status: Like Running in a Hamster Wheel?
This week a new member seeks to understand why some travellers go to such extreme lengths to chase elite airline status. Some frequent flyers willingly spend dozens of unnecessary hours in the air – often for a hefty price tag – in order to supplement their status credit balance. Known as a status run, this … Continued
Soaking Up the Delights of Dubai
Our member yld200 has just returned from a week of holidaying in Dubai! Home to the world’s tallest building, this thriving metropolis has something for everyone visitor. Taking advantage of a family connection, our member managed to pick up some great value Emirates staff travel tickets, albeit in economy, for the trip to the UAE. … Continued
Indonesia Now Visa-Free for Australians
For many years, Australians visiting Bali and other Indonesian destinations have needed to pay for a visa. This added USD35 (around $47) to the cost of every visit. But after years of discussions and speculation, this visa fee was finally dropped last week. Australians are now able to enter the country without a visa for up … Continued