Latest news

Airbnb: A Viable Alternative to Hotels?

If you’re travelling for business or leisure, hotels may seem like a logical accommodation choice. But they certainly aren’t your only option! Airbnb connects hosts that have a spare room, or even a whole apartment or house, with potential guests. In doing so, it provides guests with the opportunity to stay in a variety of different … Continued

4 Jul 2016 Hotel Loyalty Programs

Qantas Now Selling Lounge Passes

Qantas will begin selling one-time access passes for entry to its domestic Qantas Club and international Business lounges. Passes will be offered to Bronze and Silver frequent flyer members by invitation only. Eligible members will be emailed between two and five days before their flight with the offer to purchase access. One-time access passes for … Continued

2 Jul 2016 Airports & Lounges

Breathtaking Uluru: An Outback Adventure

Our member Justinf has just returned from another “trip of a lifetime”, having visited Uluru with his daughter. It seems the experience was thoroughly enjoyed, with enduring memories created. I highly recommend going to the red centre. If you are thinking about it, just do it when you can afford it and when it’s convenient. … Continued

29 Jun 2016 Destinations

Keeping a First Class Surprise

One member is planning a very special trip to Europe. This member plans to surprise their partner by treating them to an unexpected bump-up to First class. However, they want to keep the upgrade a surprise until the very last minute. My partner and I are off Europe next week. We’re flying Mel – DBX economy, then onwards … Continued

25 Jun 2016 Travel Lifestyle

Qantas Call Centre Frustration

Frustrated Qantas customers are waiting longer than ever to speak to a call centre agent. Hold times of well over an hour are now normal, and numerous members have reported waiting 3 or even 4 hours. Call dropouts and promises of call backs that don’t eventuate also make the long list of Qantas call centre complaints … Continued

23 Jun 2016 Qantas

Cruising from Dubai to Singapore

Our member Atleastonce recently experienced a truly unique way to travel between the Middle East and Asia. Multiple flights per day do the trip from Dubai to Singapore in just seven hours. But instead of flying, our member decided to travel the long way, enjoying a two-week cruise! Departing from Dubai, the trip on board … Continued

21 Jun 2016 Cruises

How to Spend 120,000 Amex Points

What would you do with 120,000 Amex rewards points? That’s the enviable dilemma faced by one member this week. This member recently applied for an Amex Platinum Charge card, which is currently offering a large sign-up bonus of 100,000 Amex points. But by taking advantage of a referral, such as the ones found in our … Continued

20 Jun 2016 American Express

Cathay Pacific Premium Economy: Worth the Price?

Many airlines have been introducing Premium Economy in recent years as a “middle ground” between Economy and Business class. Most Premium Economy cabins offer seats with more width and legroom than Economy. Some airlines also offer improved meals and other comforts. For example, Qantas provides amenity kits for Premium Economy passengers. One member is considering … Continued

18 Jun 2016 Cathay Pacific

Virgin Upgrade Regret

A Virgin flyer’s recent decision to treat themselves to a Business class upgrade ended in bitter disappointment. This member feels they received second class service, including last meal choice, because they had upgraded from an Economy ticket. This member watched on as full-fare paying passengers received blatantly preferential treatment. It seems the type of fare … Continued

16 Jun 2016 Virgin Australia

Earn Qantas Points on All Hotel Bookings

Three Qantas points per dollar can now be earned on all hotel bookings made on the Qantas website. Points have been awarded on hotel bookings made through Qantas Hotels previously, however only on selected participating hotels. Now, at least 3 points per dollar are earned when booking any of the 127,000 worldwide hotels featured on the Qantas website. Selected … Continued

13 Jun 2016 Hotel Loyalty Programs

Why Air Asia is Cancelling its Bali Flights

Indonesia Air Asia X will suspend all flights from 1 September 2016. This will result in the cancellation of all flights between Sydney, Melbourne and Bali. Affected passengers have been contacted and given the option of a rebooking onto new flights, including via Kuala Lumpur, or travelling prior to the route suspensions in September. Passengers … Continued

11 Jun 2016 Other Airlines

Qantas Loyalty Abandoned

This week one member reveals why they abandoned their loyalty to Qantas. After years of successive frequent flyer program devaluations, this member felt like their loyalty was no longer a two-way street. The loss of Any Seat Awards, reductions in earning rates on oneworld airlines and a loss of anytime lounge access all contributed to … Continued

9 Jun 2016 Qantas