Latest news

Qantas Club alternatives in Paris

For the less frequent traveller, a Qantas Club membership can offer exclusive services and privileges that make a long journey just that little bit easier. While Qantas may have flights to a particular destination, there is no guarantee a Qantas Club will be available at every location. Having just spent significant money on a 2 … Continued

21 Jul 2014 Airports & Lounges

Concern about possible devaluation of points

Avianca’s life miles program has in recent years been a popular one for our members. Despite being based in Columbia, it has offered some unique opportunities to buy points and travel cheaply at the front of the aircraft, thanks to its membership in the Star Alliance. With a generous 100% bonuses for buying miles every … Continued

19 Jul 2014 Avianca

Ultimate Overseas Driving Guide

If you are intending to negotiate the chaos of Bangkok driving or battle the streets of Brazil be sure to check out our members guide for driving overseas. Some destinations are seen to be akin to driving on Australian roads. A lower speed limit in New Zealand seems to be the only significant difference in … Continued

17 Jul 2014 Car Hire

Fasting and floods – Four weeks on the road to Eastern Europe

This week’s trip report is once again one filled with many contrasts. Written as they travel, our member will experience Dubai during Ramadan, Venice during an Aqua Alta and then a cruise through to Turkey, finishing with some time in Greece. With the larger cruise ships banned from being so close to Venice next year, … Continued

16 Jul 2014 Destinations

Qantas Cash ditches POLi

When Qantas launched Qantas Cash last year, it quickly got the attention of our members. That attention has been both positive and negative. While our members like the ability to earn points through their own funds, getting those funds onto the card has proved to be an onerous exercise. The quickest I’ve experienced is 48 … Continued

15 Jul 2014 Travel Money

Getting the best value flights during school holidays

It’s a problem we all seem to face at one time or another. With many workplaces shutting down over Christmas and New Year, we may be forced to take annual leave during this peak period. If you want to use the time to travel overseas, school holidays often mean a shortage of cheap Economy fares … Continued

14 Jul 2014 Planning & Booking

The Future of Airport Lounge Food

Many of our members spend considerable time in airports, as a result what’s on offer in the lounge is often a popular talking point. While we may not plan to spend to spend mealtime there, delays or cancellations can often mean lounge food can become important. As both major Australians airlines struggle to turn a … Continued

12 Jul 2014 Airports & Lounges

The Joy of Flying

This week our members discuss their favourite part of the flying experience. For some members, the pre-flight anticipation is top of their list. The excitement building in the night before a flight and arriving at the airport fills some members with glee. One member hopes that the novelty of flying never wears off as the … Continued

10 Jul 2014 The Journey

Qantas to buy more 747s?

Every second year, Farnborough in the UK hosts a very large air show. Aside from the displays on the ground and in the air, there is much interest in who announces what when it comes to new aircraft orders. With the massive orders in the past 18 months for both the Airbus A320NEO and Boeings … Continued

9 Jul 2014 Qantas

On Safari in a Flying Caravan

Safari is said to have entered the English language in the late 19th century. It’s a Swahili word meaning long journey, thought to have taken its origin from the Arabic safarīyah or journey. Our members often take long journeys, but you only take real safaris when in Africa. This week, we look at a safari … Continued

8 Jul 2014 Destinations

Best use of Amex points for booking flights

American Express has long been known for its generous rewards program. With many suppliers taking Amex as payment, it often does not take long to amass a good haul. Having got those points, a common question is often asked, how best to spend them? I have approx 600k of American Express points and next April … Continued

7 Jul 2014 American Express

Emirates struggling to grow Perth market

For the past five or so years, our members have become used to the ever increasing presence of Emirates aircraft in Australia. Most capital cities have started with a service via Asia, or even a direct service from Dubai in the smaller 777s, often with onward flights to New Zealand to ensure the aircraft is … Continued

2 Jul 2014 Emirates