Latest news

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

Online check in and getting the right seat

This week we look at the dynamics of check in and getting the right seat. A passenger is presented with many options when traveling in Economy class, but there seems to be a fewer options when travelling in Business class. Despite the hefty cost of Business class travel, one of our members discovers that’s no … Continued

1 Jul 2014 Planning & Booking

Canberra to Berlin, a gap year classic

For many Australians, the break between school and university is almost a rite of passage. Often known as gap year, it’s a chance to see the world and experience new cultures, while doing the odd job or two to fund your travels. For one of our members, the break before the start of university proved … Continued

30 Jun 2014 Flight Reviews

The art of getting an upgrade

We have all heard the stories or seen it in the movies. You rock up to the check in counter after a terrible day, desperate for a flight upgrade. You ask, and the agent, feeling sorry for you, makes your day. However, we all know life is more often than not, very different to that … Continued

28 Jun 2014 Airlines, Miles and Points