Latest news

Qantas Aquire annual fee axed

Qantas has removed the annual fee charged to businesses for ongoing membership of Aquire, its loyalty program for small-to-medium businesses. The removal of the $179 yearly payment makes Aquire significantly more attractive to business owners. The change was announced along with various other improvements to the program including the addition of three new partners and … Continued

9 Feb 2015 Qantas

International Travel with children is now easier

Smartgates have been a welcome introduction to the immigration process for international travellers since their introduction about a decade ago. The machines make the process of arriving and departing into the country quicker and more convenient. But passengers travelling with children under sixteen have been unable to use the gates… until now. The signs at … Continued

7 Feb 2015 Travel Lifestyle

Qantas Fuel Surcharge Cuts: Smoke and Mirrors or Tangible Benefit?

Qantas has announced that fuel-related surcharges will now gradually be absorbed into base fares for Frequent Flyer redemption tickets. This announcement has been trumpeted as Qantas delivering a real and tangible benefit to loyal frequent flyers. However, many of our members remain sceptical about this announcement. One member has opined that until Qantas are in … Continued

5 Feb 2015 Qantas

Qantas scenic flight to Antarctica!

This week we follow a trip to a continent no doubt on the bucket lists of many Australians, but one that most of us will probably never get a chance to visit. This southern content is incredibly isolated (with scientists and penguins some of the only inhabitants) but has a certain level of intrigue and … Continued

4 Feb 2015 Flight Reviews

Where are the best (and worst) Taxi drivers?

There are plenty of good taxi drivers out there… and then there are the ones that try to rip you off, don’t drive to the road rules and have loud conversations in a language you don’t understand. This week the question of where you will find the best and worst taxis drivers was asked, and … Continued

3 Feb 2015 Ground Transport

British Airways to devalue its Frequent Flyer program

Following the lead of many airlines over recent months, British Airways is restructuring its frequent flyer program. As such changes usually are, this is largely bad news for British Airways Executive Club members as significantly fewer Avios miles and Tier points will be earned on the cheapest economy fares. But it appears that British Airways … Continued

2 Feb 2015 British Airways

How to avoid Jet Lag

Jet lag comes part and parcel with long-haul travel and for some people can be a major nuisance. This week our members discuss how they try to avoid jet lag when moving between time zones. A popular strategy is to adjust to the local time zone before boarding the aircraft, and trying to sleep accordingly. … Continued

31 Jan 2015 Travel Lifestyle

Uluru: not open for Aussies?

One member this week is attempting to arrange a family trip to one of Australia’s greatest tourist destinations ‘Uluru’. However, our member has been underwhelmed and unimpressed with the expense involved. This member complains that the price of getting to, and staying in and around, Ayers rock makes it unachievable for the average Australian family. … Continued

29 Jan 2015 Destinations

High, dry and breathless in the Atacama desert

For our member JohnM, a visit to the Atacama Desert in Chile was just one of the stops on a round-the-world trip. If the photos are anything to go by, the Atacama is far from an arid desert like one might find in the Australian outback. Instead, there are mountains, wildlife, lagunas and lots more … Continued

28 Jan 2015 Destinations

Moving to the UK – stick to Qantas or make the switch?

One of our members is planning a move to the UK and has a dilemma: pack the Qantas Frequent Flyer card or leave it behind and look at new options in the UK? I’m an Australian moving to the UK, and a member of the Qantas FF scheme for a while now, although I do … Continued

27 Jan 2015 Oneworld

Virgin removes fuel surcharges, pressure on Qantas to follow

In a move that is likely to put further pressure on rival Qantas, Virgin Australia has completely removed fuel surcharges from all of its flights. The fuel surcharge component will now be included in the base fare. The move is largely symbolic as Virgin previously only charged a surcharge on two of its routes; Sydney … Continued

26 Jan 2015 Virgin Australia

Frustration with forced seat changes

This week one member’s selected seating was arbitrarily changed at the gate leaving them frustrated and resentful at Virgin ground staff. Our member was flying Darwin to Brisbane on a Virgin flight and requested, and was then duly allocated seat 5C upon check-in. When our member proceeded to the gate, the gate scanner flashed red … Continued

22 Jan 2015 Virgin Australia