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Advice for a First-Time Flyer

A new member has decided to take the plunge and travel overseas for the first time at the age of 50! While this first-time flyer is excited, th’re very nervous about the long flight to London. They’re unsure what to expect and are concerned about flying long distances over water. Our members have generously offered … Continued

23 Feb 2017 Planning & Booking

Regional Flying on Fly Corporate

Australia’s regional airlines have been getting a lot of attention on our forums lately. Inspired by recent trip reports covering Fly Pelican and Regional Express, AFF member Bundy Bear recently reviewed their experience with another regional airline, Fly Corporate. Based in Brisbane, Fly Corporate flies to seven regional destinations across Queensland and northern NSW. The … Continued

22 Feb 2017 Flight Reviews
Qantas 737 wifi

Qantas Rolls Out In-Flight Wifi

Qantas has begun trialling free in-flight wifi on one of its domestic Boeing 737 aircraft, with the service to be rolled out to the entire domestic fleet from later this year. In addition to offering internet access, Qantas will offer customers free access to television and movies through Foxtel and Netflix. Flyers will also have … Continued

20 Feb 2017 Qantas

Best Ways to Redeem Flybuys Points

With Flybuys now partnering with Virgin Australia and Etihad Airways, there are more ways than ever to redeem points! Your weekly shop at Coles can be converted to a wide range of rewards including free flights, upgrades, gift vouchers, merchandise and money off your shop. But which rewards offer the greatest value? One of the … Continued

18 Feb 2017 Flybuys

Ice Class over Antarctic Icebergs

There may be no commercial flights to Antarctica, but AFF member JohnM recently came pretty close! Each summer, Qantas operates a small number of sightseeing charter flights over Antarctica. Departing from Australia early in the morning, the 12-hour flight returns to Australia in the evening after 4 hours of flying over the Antarctic continent. Tomorrow … Continued

15 Feb 2017 Flight Reviews

Redeeming Velocity Points for a Family Holiday

This week one member seeks the community’s recommendations for a family holiday destination that can be reached using Velocity points. AFF member unfunkable is looking for a destination where they take their family of four to relax. While Hawaii had been the destination of choice, there are too few award seats available through Velocity Frequent … Continued

13 Feb 2017 Virgin Australia

Qantas Still Calls Australia Home… In Song Only

Qantas may still call Australia home, but calls to the Qantas Frequent Flyer Service Centre will soon be answered by staff in the Philippines. More than 100 Australian jobs will be lost when Qantas shuts its Melbourne-based call centre later this year. The Frequent Flyer Service Centre handles calls relating to the use of Qantas points, … Continued

9 Feb 2017 Qantas
Calculating value

The Value of Overseas Frequent Flyer Programs

Many Australians are familiar with the frequent flyer programs of Qantas and Virgin Australia. But there are other airline loyalty programs out there that offer considerably better value. Qantas Frequent Flyer and Virgin’s Velocity program are by far the most widely used by Australians. This makes sense, as it’s much easier to earn points within Australia with these programs. … Continued

6 Feb 2017 Other Airlines

Qantas Revamps Business Rewards Program

Qantas has axed its Aquire loyalty program for small to medium businesses, in favour of the newly-launched Qantas Business Rewards. It’s not just a name change, with several significant changes being made to the program. Qantas Business Rewards, like its predecessor Aquire, enables business owners to earn additional points on employees’ flights, as well as … Continued

4 Feb 2017 Qantas

Travel Insurance Warning

They say if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. But as one frustrated member recently learned, not all policies are created equally. This member’s travel insurance provider refused to pay for lost flights and accommodation after an overseas relative passed away. This member had to cancel their pre-booked trip to Adelaide … Continued

2 Feb 2017 Travel Lifestyle

Flight Review: Newcastle-Canberra on FlyPelican

The “big four” domestic airlines – Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar & Tigerair – tend to receive the most attention. But there are other airlines in Australia serving the regional routes not offered by the major airlines. One of these is FlyPelican. Regional Express (Rex) is one of the largest regional carriers in Australia, operating an … Continued

1 Feb 2017 Flight Reviews

The Qatar Airways Experience

Qatar Airways has been offering some excellent airfare deals on flights to Europe lately. But do these low fares come at the expense of quality? One member is considering using the Doha-based oneworld airline for the first time on an upcoming trip, and seeks the opinion of the AFF community on whether Qatar Airways is … Continued

30 Jan 2017 Qatar Airways