Latest news

Best Use of British Airways Avios

This week the British Airways Executive Club program is a topic of discussion. In particular, what are the best ways to redeem Avios, BA’s mile “currency”? As a oneworld member airline, British Airways Avios can be used for flights on BA itself or any oneworld partner airline. This includes Qantas, Cathay Pacific and American Airlines. … Continued

28 Nov 2015 British Airways

Around the World in 10 Days

Forget travelling around the world in 80 days! Our member harvyk recently completed a journey around the globe in just ten days, and their experiences have been compiled into a trip report. Although our member’s real destination was Seattle, some creative flight routings meant some time was spent in Los Angeles and London before completing … Continued

25 Nov 2015 Flight Reviews

Status Runs: Bridge a Status Credit Shortfall

What should you do if your Qantas Frequent Flyer membership year is coming to an end, and you’re just short of the required status credits to reach a higher status tier? One solution is to go on a “status run”. This is where a frequent flyer travels in order to earn status credits. The key … Continued

24 Nov 2015 Qantas

Qantas Closes Bangkok Lounge

Qantas has permanently closed another of its Qantas Club airport lounges. Qantas Club members and other eligible customers flying from Bangkok are now being redirected to the Louis Tavern CIP Lounge in Concourse G. A number of members believe the change is a detrimental one as the CIP lounge is not up to the same … Continued

23 Nov 2015 Airports & Lounges

Major American AAdvantage Devaluation Coming

American Airlines has announced a major devaluation of its popular AAdvantage frequent flyer program. Among other things, Australian travellers will be most affected by the increased rates for redeeming miles on flights. But the changes go further. American is changing the way members can qualify for elite status, as well as removing some benefits from … Continued

21 Nov 2015 American Airlines

The 750,000 Frequent Flyer Point Dilemma

This week one member faces a highly enviable dilemma. Having accumulated over 750,000 frequent flyer points with Qantas and Virgin, they now wish to spend these points to fly in the luxury of the pointy end of the plane. Naturally, our online community is only too happy to help decide how best to convert those … Continued

19 Nov 2015 Airlines, Miles and Points

Rum, Cigars and Classic Cars: Encountering Cuba

This week’s trip report comes from a part of the world that is attracting increasing attention as a tourist destination. Throughout the past five decades, dictatorship rule and US sanctions have limited Cuba’s development and tourism opportunities. The result is a country where you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d walked into the 1960s; quite a … Continued

18 Nov 2015 Destinations

Jetstar Business vs Qantas in Economy

Jetstar Business Class is not exactly renowned as a top-notch premium product. But is it worth considering when the price is only a little higher than Qantas’ asking price for a seat in Economy? This is the dilemma faced by one member currently researching flights to Hawaii. Qantas Business Class is too expensive, and our … Continued

17 Nov 2015 Jetstar

First Look: Virgin’s Brand New Perth Terminal

Virgin Australia is moving in Perth! From next Sunday, 22 November, Virgin domestic flights will depart from a brand new domestic pier attached to Terminal 1. This is an extension of Perth’s current international terminal. Our member scottz95 recently got a glimpse of the new terminal ahead of the official opening. This member has generously … Continued

16 Nov 2015 Airports & Lounges

How to Earn American AAdvantage Miles in Australia

There are countless ways to earn frequent flyer points within Australia through our local programs, Qantas and Virgin Velocity Frequent Flyer. Both programs offer a range of linked credit cards and dozens of local retailer partners. This makes the accrual of frequent flyer points relatively easy – even if you’re an infrequent flyer. But there … Continued

14 Nov 2015 American Airlines

Qantas Club Lounge Access Denied

One frustrated Qantas Club member feels their membership has been devalued after they were wrongfully refused entry to a Qantas lounge. But even more concerning is that this issue appears to be systematic. The member was flying on a partner airline but had booked the ticket as a Qantas codeshare. Under the published rules, the … Continued

12 Nov 2015 Qantas

First Class Apartments to the Caucasus

This week we’re treated to not one, but two rare travel insights. Our member RooFlyer recently experienced the delights of Etihad’s renowned First Class Apartments on the way to a destination that rarely comes to mind for Australian travellers: the Caucasus region of Eastern Europe, which is home to Azerbaijan and Georgia. Today starts a … Continued

11 Nov 2015 Flight Reviews