Latest news

Should I Cash Out My Frequent Flyer Points Now?

If you’re unable to travel at the moment, you may be wondering whether to cash out your frequent flyer points for gift cards or products. You’re not alone. Many once-frequent travellers are now left with a stack of frequent flyer points that they can’t immediately use for travel. But is it really a good idea … Continued

21 Sep 2020 Airlines, Miles and Points

Qantas Launches Canberra-Gold Coast Flights

Qantas will commence direct flights from Canberra to the Gold Coast for the first time from next Friday, as Queensland reopens its border to the ACT. From 25 September 2020, travellers from the ACT that have not been in NSW for the past 14 days will be permitted to enter Queensland without entering quarantine. Taking … Continued

19 Sep 2020 Qantas

Podcast #45: Vulnerable Australians Stranded Overseas

Courtney Devine has been working in Amsterdam for more than two years. Desperate now to return to Perth, the Australian woman was left with no choice but to set up a “Go Fund Me” page to raise the $10,542 needed to book a flight home and pay for hotel quarantine on arrival. She still then had … Continued

19 Sep 2020 AFF on Air Podcast

Vulnerable Australians Stranded Overseas – AIR045

  Next week, the Australian government will increase the number of Australians that can arrive each week from 4,000 to around 6,000 people. This is a welcome step forward and will definitely help to clear the backlog of Australians stranded overseas. But with at least 24,000 Australians currently registered as stranded – and perhaps closer … Continued

19 Sep 2020 AFF on Air (blubrry)

What to Expect in Australian Hotel Quarantine

If you’re returning to Australia from overseas – or travelling interstate from a designated COVID-19 hotspot – there’s a good chance you’ll end up in hotel quarantine. Since 29 March 2020, anyone arriving in Australia is required to undergo 14 days of managed isolation in a hotel room. This needs to be completed in government-designated … Continued

18 Sep 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

ACCC Fears for Airline Competition in Australia

The ACCC will maintain close scrutiny on domestic airline competition over the next three years amid concerns that some airlines could exploit the pandemic to engage in anti-competitive behaviour. Yesterday, the ACCC handed down its first of many quarterly reports that it will produce for the federal government until 2023, outlining the impact of COVID-19 … Continued

18 Sep 2020 Airlines, Miles and Points

Qantas Flight to Nowhere Sells Out in Minutes

Who would want to book a seven-hour Qantas flight to nowhere? In the age of coronavirus and border closures, apparently lots of people! Earlier today, Qantas released 134 seats for sale on a seven-hour scenic joy flight that departs and arrives in Sydney. The Boeing 787 flight will take place on 10 October 2020 and … Continued

17 Sep 2020 Qantas

No Refunds as Many Priority Pass Lounges Remain Closed

Priority Pass members have complained that they have not been offered refunds, even though they have been unable to travel and many airport lounges have been closed since March. Priority Pass sells annual memberships which, under normal circumstances, grant access to over 1,300 participating airport lounges & restaurants around the world. This includes 8 lounges … Continued

14 Sep 2020 Airports & Lounges

Qantas Club Gives Further Six-Month Extensions

Qantas Club is extending all paid lounge memberships for a further six months, bringing the total extension to 12 months. The validity of most complimentary Qantas Club lounge invitations is also being extended by a further six months. Qantas originally extended the membership of all Qantas Club members by six months in late March 2020, … Continued

13 Sep 2020 Qantas

Qantas Cuts Platinum One Special Service Team

Qantas’ top-tier Platinum One frequent flyers no longer have access to a dedicated support team, with the airline reportedly cutting its Platinum One Special Service Team last Friday. 23 Canberra-based staff have been offered redeployment in other parts of the business, as Qantas seeks to drastically cut costs. Qantas advertises “round the clock support” from … Continued

12 Sep 2020 Qantas

Random Acts of Kindness While Travelling

  One of the best things about travelling is the people you meet along the way. The world is full of generous, humble souls. This week, our members are discussing surprising and unexpected gifts they have received while travelling. There are stories of incredible generosity and random acts of kindness… as well as a few … Continued

11 Sep 2020 Travel Lifestyle

Qantas Petitions for State Borders to Reopen

Qantas yesterday launched a fresh petition designed to place pressure on Australia’s state governments to reopen borders where it’s safe to do so. The petition, hosted on the Qantas website, calls on governments to “safely open our borders”. Qantas is encouraging its employees and customers to sign it. Here’s what the Qantas state border petition … Continued

11 Sep 2020 Qantas