Latest news

What is “Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance?

Update: As of Friday 13 March 2020, Cover-More has suspended sales of its Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance add-on in Australia and New Zealand. This does not affect existing policies. As the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak wreaks havoc on the travel industry, planning an overseas trip has become considerably more difficult. Many travel insurance providers … Continued

5 Mar 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Qantas Swings Boeing 787 onto Sydney-Vancouver

Qantas will switch its seasonal Sydney-Vancouver route from a Boeing 747 to a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner service from next summer. Qantas traditionally operates a 3x weekly service from Sydney to Vancouver over December and January. But next summer, the route will operate for an extra month, running from 12 December 2020 until 27 February 2021. … Continued

4 Mar 2020 Qantas

Brisbane Airport’s New Runway Opening on 12 July 2020

The new runway under construction at Brisbane Airport (BNE) is due to open on 12 July 2020, the Brisbane Airport Corporation has confirmed. The third runway at Brisbane Airport has been under construction for the past 8 years, after 40 years of planning. The runway surface is now sealed, and line marking on the runway … Continued

1 Mar 2020 Airports & Lounges

Air New Zealand Skynest: Will it Ever Happen?

Air New Zealand’s recent announcement that it could introduce lie-flat bunk beds in Economy class went viral. Social media exploded and the story has been regurgitated by news outlets all over the world. Some journalists have even predicted that the Air New Zealand Skynest will spell the end of Business class. To be clear, that’s … Continued

29 Feb 2020 Air New Zealand

Virgin Australia Removes Velocity Numbers from Boarding Passes

Virgin Australia will no longer print Velocity Frequent Flyer membership numbers on boarding passes issued by airport check-in kiosks. The change, which appears to be for privacy and security reasons, took effect from yesterday. In addition, Velocity Frequent Flyer members are now required to show their digital membership card along with their boarding pass in … Continued

28 Feb 2020 Virgin Australia

Should Airlines Extend Status Due to Coronavirus?

As the coronavirus outbreak spreads, more flights are getting cancelled and fewer people are travelling. Demand for leisure travel is weak, some countries have imposed travel bans, and many corporate travellers are grounded as businesses impose their own travel restrictions. As a result, many airlines and hotels – especially in the Asia-Pacific region – are … Continued

28 Feb 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Shangri-La Golden Circle Extends Status of All Global Members

The Shangri-La Group has announced that it will extend the tier status and benefits of all Golden Circle hotel loyalty program members worldwide. Current Diamond and Jade members of Shangri-La’s Golden Circle program will all have their status extended until 31 December 2021, due to the current coronavirus situation and associated travel restrictions. The updated … Continued

28 Feb 2020 Hotel Loyalty Programs

Virgin Australia Group Cuts Capacity, Aircraft

The Virgin Australia Group will cut capacity and accelerate the retirement of aircraft, it announced on Wednesday as it revealed a $100 million loss in the first half of the 2019-20 financial year. Much of the cost-cutting is focused on Tigerair, which is 100% owned by Virgin Australia. Here is a summary of the key Virgin … Continued

28 Feb 2020 Virgin Australia

Qantas & Virgin Trans-Tasman Fares at Record Lows

Looking for cheap flights to New Zealand? Qantas and Virgin Australia are currently offering some of the lowest Economy class fares we’ve seen to New Zealand on full-service airlines for a while! For example, both Qantas and Virgin Australia have flights from Melbourne to Christchurch available for under $272 return: Right now, you can also … Continued

28 Feb 2020 Virgin Australia

World of Hyatt Extends Elite Status of Australian Members

World of Hyatt has confirmed that it will extend the tier status of Discoverist, Explorist and Globalist members that live in Australia or New Zealand until 2022. The loyalty program of Hyatt hotels announced that it is extending the elite status and benefits of members that reside in the Asia Pacific region, due to the … Continued

26 Feb 2020 World of Hyatt

Qantas Releases New Centenary Safety Video

Qantas has released a brand new safety video to celebrate the airline’s centenary. The new video showcases Qantas’ aircraft, uniforms and innovations over the decades. Here’s the new 2020 Qantas safety video: The well-produced Qantas centenary safety video begins in Longreach, where Qantas was founded in 1920. It then takes you on a journey through … Continued

26 Feb 2020 Qantas

Qantas Website Suffers Meltdown as Double Status Credits Ends

Update: The double status credits promotion has been extended for 24 hours due to the problems experienced on the evening of 25 February. You can now earn double status credits for eligible bookings made by 11.59pm (AEDT) on 26 February 2020. The Qantas website has suffered a major meltdown in the final hours of the … Continued

25 Feb 2020 Qantas