Airlines, Miles and Points

Airlines, miles, and points is the most popular topic at Australian Frequent Flyer. In this category, we provide expert tips, insider tricks, and facilitate discussions about Qantas, Virgin Australia, non-Australian airlines, and global airline alliances. From earning and redeeming frequent flyer points to maximising elite status benefits, we aim to help you get the most out of your travel. We also cover every step of the journey – from planning and booking flights to experiencing the flight itself, and finally, arriving at your destination. Whether you're a seasoned traveller or just starting to explore the world of frequent flyer programs, you'll find valuable advice to elevate your travel experience. See below for articles on airlines, miles and points.

Airline meals – are you game?

Complimentary meals or snacks are often a feature of fares with full service airlines. For some of our members, just because they are free, or being served at an unusual time, does not mean you have to eat them. I wonder whether I’m alone in almost totally avoiding in flight meals. Whether in economy or … Continued

Changing the Status Quo

One member this week queries why Status credits are tied to frequent flyer point earn rates. Our members discuss whether there is scope to improve the ways in which status credits are awarded. One suggestion is that there should be an incentive based system for the accrual of status credits. For example, the more flights … Continued

9 Oct 2014 Qantas

Frequent Flyer Redemption 101

One member this week gets a crash course in the best ways to redeem frequent flyer points. This member has enough toasters and Woolworths gift vouchers and instead wants to get the best bang for their points on flight redemptions. Our trusty members are quick to rally and provide some invaluable hints, tips and tricks … Continued

Air Rage diverts another plane

These days it seems it’s almost a daily occurrence. Be it helping themselves to their duty free stash or just taking advantage of the airlines generosity, passengers are confusing the cabin with a public bar and acting accordingly. With an unruly passenger onboard, and cabin safety of paramount importance, the resultant diversion comes at great … Continued

30 Sep 2014 In Flight

Australia’s worst airline?

Many of our members have a preferred airline when it comes to domestic travel. Depending on where your travels may take you, a wide variety of airlines may be on offer. If you are a fly-in fly-out worker, that airline journey may not even be on an airline you can buy tickets on. With airline … Continued

License to travel (not)

This week Jetstar’s ”unaccompanied minor policy” has come under fire by our members. Jetstar has a policy that children who are not yet attending secondary school are regarded as unable to travel independently. Two 14 year old girls were denied boarding as they did not have adequate proof that they were in attendance at secondary … Continued

25 Sep 2014 Jetstar

Transcontinental Seat Wars

With the demise of the 767 as the Qantas mainstay for Transcontinental flights, much focus has been on its replacement, the Airbus A330. With Qantas operating aircraft that feature a 10 year old cabin, they were always going to struggle. After all, Virgin’s new deliveries featured a seat in Business Class that converted to a … Continued

23 Sep 2014 Virgin Australia

Cancel or Credit – Travel Insurance Woes

Stuff happens! Especially when it comes to expensive overseas travel arrangements. Some call it Murphy’s Law, the principle that if something can go wrong it will. On that basis, most people will purchase travel insurance to make sure they are covered. As our government says on its smart traveller website, if you cannot afford Travel … Continued

Vietnam visa changes

Most of our members hold Australian passports, one of the more widely accepted visa free passports in the world. But not all countries are happy to grant an instant visa on arrival. Some prefer you to give advance notice, or apply for one outside the country. Vietnam, like many of its neighbours, is one such … Continued

15 Sep 2014 The Journey

Goodbye to the Status Fairy?

When Qantas made changes to its frequent flyer program recently, it was obvious for many that status could be harder to achieve in the future. First the “marginal” Any Seat awards were disposed of, a source of cheap status credits to many members and the topic of much discussion on the forum. Then the reduction … Continued

13 Sep 2014 Qantas

How will the capacity bubble burst?

One of the features in the battle between Qantas and Virgin of recent years has been the increase in capacity both airlines have made in a bid to make money. Not long ago, trans- continental traffic was mostly single aisle jets. With Virgin upping the ante to wide-bodies with lie flat beds in business, Qantas … Continued