Latest news

Amex Transfers to SPG/Marriott Become 125% More Expensive

The transfer rates from Amex Membership Rewards to the new combined SPG/Marriott Rewards program have been revealed. The changes to Amex transfers to SPG, taking effect from August, are not pretty! Currently, Australian Amex Membership Rewards points can be converted to Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Starpoints at a rate of 1:0.5. That is, one Amex point … Continued

4 Jul 2018 American Express

How to transfer SPG points for travel on different airlines

Update (3 July 2018): SPG will merge with Marriott Rewards on 1 August 2018. From this date, transfers from Amex to the new SPG/Marriott program will take place at a new rate of 3 Amex points = 2 Marriott Rewards points. Unfortunately, this represents a significant devaluation. Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) points are an extremely … Continued

3 Jul 2018 Marriott Bonvoy

More Direct Flights from Australia to India?

Over 320,000 Indians visit Australia every year, with around the same number of Australians travelling to India annually. There are also nearly half a million Indians living in Australia. Despite this, Air India is currently the only airline flying direct from Australia to India. But this could change very soon, following the signing of a … Continued

3 Jul 2018 Airlines, Miles and Points

Exploring Stunning Kakadu National Park

AFF member Sludge321 recently flew to Darwin, using the opportunity to visit the stunning Kakadu National Park. This member has taken the time to write a great trip report about their experience in Australia’s top end. The flight from Perth to Darwin was funded by using the free Virgin Australia flight that comes with the … Continued

1 Jul 2018 Destinations

More Bali Flights Cancelled by Volcanic Ash

Bali’s international airport has re-opened but many flights are still disrupted due to volcanic ash. Since last Thursday, many flights between Australia and Denpasar have been delayed, diverted or cancelled. And most passengers won’t be covered by travel insurance. Bali’s Mt Agung, which first erupted in November last year, is once again the culprit. The … Continued

30 Jun 2018 Airlines, Miles and Points

Virgin to Resume Daily Melbourne-Hong Kong Flights

Virgin Australia will resume daily flights from Melbourne to Hong Kong from 28 October 2018. This is the same date that Virgin’s partner Hong Kong Airlines will end flights from Gold Coast and Cairns to Hong Kong. Virgin Australia currently flies every day from Melbourne to Hong Kong using Airbus A330-200s. But Virgin’s Melbourne-Hong Kong schedule … Continued

30 Jun 2018 Virgin Australia

Qantas Temporarily Axes Premium Economy to Hong Kong

Qantas will temporarily remove Premium Economy from its Sydney-Hong Kong flights next year. All Qantas flights to Hong Kong between 29 March and 10 June 2019 are currently scheduled to be operated by Airbus A330s. These aircraft do not have a Premium Economy cabin. As a result, Qantas is not selling any seats in Premium … Continued

29 Jun 2018 Qantas

World’s Best (and Worst) International Airports

Singapore Airport has been rated by AFF members as the world’s best international airport. Meanwhile, Sydney Airport has been rated as one of the worst. With a swimming pool, movie theatres, great restaurants and even a butterfly garden, it’s not hard to see why Singapore’s Changi Airport is an AFF favourite! It has also won … Continued

28 Jun 2018 Airports & Lounges

How Much is a Frequent Flyer Point Worth?

Not all frequent flyer points were created equal. The value you receive depends on how they are spent. We all try to maximise the value we get when redeeming frequent flyer points… so how do you know if you’re getting a good deal? The “Cents Per Point” Method One way to calculate the value of … Continued

27 Jun 2018 Qantas

Virgin Australia Family Pooling Guide

Virgin Australia’s family pooling scheme is a unique benefit that allows up to six family members to combine their Velocity points and status credits in one account. This family-friendly initiative makes it much easier to earn Virgin Australia status when travelling together. How family pooling works A family pool can consist of up to two … Continued

27 Jun 2018 Virgin Australia

How to Fly from Australia to Russia with Points

The Fifa World Cup in Russia has begun! We thought we’d take this opportunity to explore the different ways you can fly from Australia to Russia with frequent flyer points. If watching all that football has inspired you to book a trip to this fascinating country, here are the best ways to get from Australia … Continued

26 Jun 2018 Planning & Booking Points Inspiration

Qantas Priority Boarding Doesn’t Work

Priority boarding is a published Qantas benefit for eligible passengers. Qantas advertises that priority boarding will be available to Business class passengers and Gold, Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers on Qantas flights. Unfortunately, this benefit is delivered so rarely that Qantas priority boarding has become a running joke on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum. … Continued

23 Jun 2018 Qantas