AFF on Air Discussion thread

[AFF Editor]

G'day, it's Matt here. I hope you've been enjoying our new AFF on Air podcast! It's free to tune in, and a new episode will be released each fortnight.

This thread is where you can discuss anything from an episode of the podcast. In this thread you can also ask any travel-related question that you would like me to answer or talk about in a future episode of the podcast!

 

[AFF Editor]

Episode 2 of the AFF on Air podcast, "Amex Devaluation", was broadcast on 12 January 2019. Click here to listen to this episode: Podcast Episode 2: Amex Devaluation

The purpose of this thread is for discussion on any of this episode's content.

 

[Zanzara]

Hi Matt. Firstly, you do a great job. Awesome!

Do you have any tips on utilising the Singapore round the world business fare award successfully?

I normally do point to point not multi destination bookings and have had some amazing trips using airline points over the years.

However, I think with the round the world star alliance award you have to fill in a form and submit it to SQ Kris flyer? Could be hard getting travel to or from back via South America to Australia etc., that way though without knowing any availability.... is it better to call them with various flexible options?

 

[PLANT]

Fantastic idea!
Great job and keep the podcasts coming please!

 

[RooFlyer]

You can ask me anything you like (well, almost anything) as long as it is somehow related to travel!

Damn. Could have been a really interesting thread ... (or more interesting that it no doubt will be).

 

[samh004]

Good first topic, I am registered for the webinar already and I'm keen to hear more insights on the AMEX devaluation. I have actually recently been approved for a Platinum Charge, as I pivot my earning from a 1-airline strategy to multiple airlines, or at least MR points.

Despite the increased cost for the charge card, I feel there is value for me and my partner in it and the memberships it affords, over what I currently use – which is the Ultimate card – despite the fact that going forward this will actually earn slightly more points. I think the main takeaway for me is that the Ultimate only earns in 1 direction, but changing my card strategy – despite the devaluation – means I have options at last. Perhaps I can finally take better advantage of the tips and tricks on this forum.

Loved the interview at the end, and thanks for the shoutout!

 

[NZflygirl]

Hurrah!

I missed the SQ webinar and wasn't registered.
Will you be covering the same material in a podcast?

Having tech issues at the moment so haven't downloaded the podcast

 

[AFF Editor]

Hi Matt. Firstly, you do a great job. Awesome!

Do you have any tips on utilising the Singapore round the world business fare award successfully?

I normally do point to point not multi destination bookings and have had some amazing trips using airline points over the years.

However, I think with the round the world star alliance award you have to fill in a form and submit it to SQ Kris flyer? Could be hard getting travel to or from back via South America to Australia etc., that way though without knowing any availability.... is it better to call them with various flexible options?

Excellent question, thank you. I will answer this in the next episode!

 

[AFF Editor]

Hurrah!

I missed the SQ webinar and wasn't registered.
Will you be covering the same material in a podcast?

The podcasts will be quite different to the webinars. They probably won't cover topics in quite as much depth as the webinars (which, after all, go for an hour and are accompanied by presentation slides). But I do plan to cover lots of different things in the podcasts, including perhaps some stuff on KrisFlyer. If you have any specific questions or anything that you'd like me to talk about in the podcast, please let me know here.

Having tech issues at the moment so haven't downloaded the podcast

If you're having trouble downloading the latest podcast episode from this page, you could also try searching for "AFF on Air" on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android or Spotify.

 

[AFF Editor]

Good first topic, I am registered for the webinar already and I'm keen to hear more insights on the AMEX devaluation. I have actually recently been approved for a Platinum Charge, as I pivot my earning from a 1-airline strategy to multiple airlines, or at least MR points.

Despite the increased cost for the charge card, I feel there is value for me and my partner in it and the memberships it affords, over what I currently use – which is the Ultimate card – despite the fact that going forward this will actually earn slightly more points. I think the main takeaway for me is that the Ultimate only earns in 1 direction, but changing my card strategy – despite the devaluation – means I have options at last. Perhaps I can finally take better advantage of the tips and tricks on this forum

Yes, indeed, the Amex Platinum charge card is still shaping up to be a relatively solid option going forward (despite the recently increased annual fee).

Loved the interview at the end, and thanks for the shoutout!

You're welcome

 

[NZflygirl]

The podcasts will be quite different to the webinars. They probably won't cover topics in quite as much depth as the webinars (which, after all, go for an hour and are accompanied by presentation slides). But I do plan to cover lots of different things in the podcasts, including perhaps some stuff on KrisFlyer. If you have any specific questions or anything that you'd like me to talk about in the podcast, please let me know here.


If you're having trouble downloading the latest podcast episode from this page, you could also try searching for "AFF on Air" on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android or Spotify.

Subscribed!

I haven't received a response to this elsewhere but can you split the status and accrual on a Qantas or any other one world flight? The Finnair? website seems to change both status and mileage accrual rather than splitting the 2. Happy/resigned myself to having QF accrual for status.

Qantas is unkind with partner flights. I can handle the measly status credit earn as it helps towards LTS, but I don't like coughpy mileage accrual and would rather credit that part to AA than QF for partner flights and possibly QF flights. Using QF status in partner bookings helps with seat select etc.

 

[Revenge]

I enjoyed the first (real) episode of the podcast. Very interesting!

My only criticism would be that during the intro the voice sounds very kiwi for an Australian Frequent Flyer podcast intro. ;-)

Looking forward to the next episode.

 

[NZflygirl]

Loved the interview with Clifford actually. Given AFF has been going for 20yrs or so I'm very much a newcomer so it was great to hear the background.

I am wondering what is on the horizon for NZers with AMEX. Will expect changes in the future. Just a matter of when.

My only complaint is I had a 3 hr drive and it only lasted 30 minutes! Debating letting them all pile up so I can binge.
(Should have flown, would have been perfect length flight to listen..)

 

[AFF Editor]

My only complaint is I had a 3 hr drive and it only lasted 30 minutes! Debating letting them all pile up so I can binge.
(Should have flown, would have been perfect length flight to listen..)

The episodes will generally be around 20-30 minutes long. Sounds like a perfectly good excuse to fly to me

 

[Melburnian1]

The episodes will generally be around 20-30 minutes long. Sounds like a perfectly good excuse to fly to me

The first episode was very good. A subjective opinion, but I suggest 15 or 20 minutes is an ideal length.

From the way Mr Reichlin answered the questions, at times with hesitation, my impression was he'd not been provided with a list of questions that Mattg would ask. That's good, as I would prefer it not be robotic.

Mattg has a pleasant voice to listen to: maybe not quite a classic 'radio' or 'advertising' voice, but not grating. You wouldn't want to have me presenting as too monotonal a voice would be very annoying for listeners.

You may not wish to inform us in which case I understand, but how many have listened to each episode so far?

 

[AFF Editor]

Episode 3 of the AFF on Air podcast, "Fifth-Freedom Flights", was broadcast on 26 January 2019. Click here to listen to this episode: Podcast Episode 3: Fifth-Freedom Flights

You are welcome to discuss any of this episode's content in this thread.

 

[AFF Editor]

@frequent passport user and @NZflygirl, I've answered your questions in this fortnight's podcast: Podcast Episode 3: Fifth-Freedom Flights

If anyone else has a question or topic they would like me to discuss in next fortnight's podcast, please ask here.

 

[jkbaus]

I have been enjoying reading and learning fron the forum since I retired.

The podcasts are an excellent extra.

Thank you!

 

[Zanzara]

Hi Matt. Youre a legend thanks sooo much. I’m actually writing this to you in Dubai. Hotel points stay and an amazing experience offer to thank for that. No FF seats available though!

I have another Ff availability question for you to consider...

I try to stay positive, but it’s disappointing when airlines such as Qantas, Air NZ & these days even Virgin Australia get away with plugging their frequent flyer programs but reward you by NEVER releasing any ‘classic’ business class seats on some routes. Ive been lucky sometimes to snag just 1 seat on popular routes I suppose... You mentioned that NZ dont release seats from oz to EZE and PPT and QF rarely, until very recently to HNL, are there any other routes it’s generally a waste of time looking? When Qatar first joined oneworld i recall seeing some qantas availability, now only China Eastern seems to appear.

I used to think that US based FF snagged most of VIrgin Australia business class seats to LAX using Expert Flyer or some other program. However, i think that they probably just release hardly any seats and when they do, its just a couple of weeks out on probably undersold flights?

Sorry for such a long question!

 

[NZflygirl]

Hi Matt. Youre a legend thanks sooo much. I’m actually writing this to you in Dubai. Hotel points stay and an amazing experience offer to thank for that. No FF seats available though!

I have another Ff availability question for you to consider...

I try to stay positive, but it’s disappointing when airlines such as Qantas, Air NZ & these days even Virgin Australia get away with plugging their frequent flyer programs but reward you by NEVER releasing any ‘classic’ business class seats on some routes. Ive been lucky sometimes to snag just 1 seat on popular routes I suppose... You mentioned that NZ dont release seats from oz to EZE and PPT and QF rarely, until very recently to HNL, are there any other routes it’s generally a waste of time looking? When Qatar first joined oneworld i recall seeing some qantas availability, now only China Eastern seems to appear.

I used to think that US based FF snagged most of VIrgin Australia business class seats to LAX using Expert Flyer or some other program. However, i think that they probably just release hardly any seats and when they do, its just a couple of weeks out on probably undersold flights?

Sorry for such a long question!

Uh... I suspect etiquette might dictate I shouldn't comment in this thread but just wanted to add 2c?

For Air NZ, I know they released at least 2 dates from AKL-EZE and also return legs as I searched the whole year on lifemiles. I haven't done a thorough search again. They also released a tonne of seats transpacific last year over 3 months. The bloggers picked up on it after a few weeks. Once the Dreamliner issues came to light again it all sort of disappeared. I'm hoping once those issues are resolved they may open it up again. I think a lot of engines are affected and don't really know how it's progressing.

I haven't really searched trans Tasman business flights but had seen it available on NZ from time to time with lifemiles.

There is some availability out of NRT and TPE to AKL at least. Partnered with ANA and Air Canada on the UA site. Can't recall if they were available as individual segments though. This availability though is not always mirrored on the lifemiles website. Suspect the joint venture NZ has with UA helps.

Also see more China Eastern on QF awards, but QR is available. I'm personally using AA to search for QR now or BA as well for QR. I haven't correlated actual dates between the AA site and QF though. You don't need a login for AA to search. Make sure you use the nonstop option to search each segment.

Signing out.