Author: Matt Graham
New Zealand Drops Mandatory COVID-19 Tests on Arrival
The New Zealand government no longer requires international arrivals to prove their vaccination status or complete COVID-19 tests after arriving in the country. It comes as the nation also significantly relaxes its remaining domestic COVID-19 restrictions. Until yesterday, international passengers arriving in New Zealand were given two rapid antigen tests on arrival and required to … Continued
Virgin to Bring Back In-Flight Wifi from Late 2022
Virgin Australia will restore in-flight wifi from the end of this year, with high-speed internet to be rolled out across most of the airline’s fleet over the next 18 months. Virgin Australia previously offered wi-fi on board most of its planes before the pandemic. This service was free on domestic flights and for the first … Continued
Virgin Australia “Switch-A-Roo” Gold & Platinum Status Match
From 13-26 September 2022, Virgin Australia is running an expanded Velocity status match offer that it’s calling “Switch-A-Roo”. Aimed blatantly at Qantas customers but also available to anyone who holds the equivalent of Gold or higher status with any airline that doesn’t partner with Virgin Australia, this new promotion offers fast-tracks to both Velocity Gold … Continued
Canberra Airport’s Facebook Page is Refreshingly Sassy
For an airport serving a city of less than half a million, Canberra Airport punches above its weight. In my personal (and perhaps slightly biased) opinion, it’s the nicest airport in Australia with its modern, spacious facilities, excellent Qantas & Virgin lounges, and its (usually) short lines for security. The airport also boasts direct flights … Continued
Face Masks No Longer Required on Flights to Australia
The Australian government has today lifted the requirement to wear face masks on domestic flights, as well as on international flights bound for Australia. It ends the mask mandate for air passengers that was first introduced by the Australian government in January 2021. Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Rex have all removed their requirement to … Continued
Fly Premium Economy to Europe from $1,828 Return
Vietnam Airlines and Singapore Airlines both have some excellent round-trip Premium Economy fares available now for travel from Sydney and Melbourne to Europe, starting from as low as $1,828 return. Singapore Airlines also has some stellar Premium Economy sale fares available now from Melbourne and Sydney to New York. Both are full-service airlines. The main … Continued
Qatar Airways Rewards: Velocity Members Get Priority over Qantas
This week, Qatar Airways launched a new strategic partnership with Virgin Australia. But as a member of the Oneworld alliance, Qatar Airways already partners with Qantas – Australia’s other major airline. This creates a unique situation where members of both Virgin Australia Velocity and Qantas Frequent Flyer can earn points, earn status credits, redeem points … Continued
How to Reinstate Expired Qantas Points
Qantas Frequent Flyer points don’t expire as long as you earn or redeem at least one point every 18 months. But if they do happen to expire, you might be able to get some or all of your expired Qantas points back by completing a Qantas points “challenge”. How to get expired Qantas points back … Continued
Virgin Australia Launches Partnership with Qatar Airways
In some exciting news for Australian frequent flyers, Virgin Australia’s unlikely new partnership with Qatar Airways is taking off from 6 September 2022. Under the new partnership, Velocity Frequent Flyer members can earn points and status credits, redeem points and receive reciprocal status benefits on Qatar Airways flights. The Doha-based Oneworld airline was voted the “world’s … Continued