AFF on AIR Podcast

  In this episode, Matt is joined by co-founder of StatusMatch.com and former head of the Malaysia Airlines Enrich loyalty program Mark Ross-Smith for a behind the scenes look at the world of airline status matching. Learn about why airlines offer status matches, how you can get one, and more!   Episode contents: 1:05 - Fortnightly news round-up 12:39 - Interview with Mark Ross-Smith   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions StatusMatch.com   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Flying Soon? Expect Delays & Disruptions Qantas Adds Perth-Johannesburg Flights Virgin to Restart More International Routes Why Virgin’s Bali Flights Are All Stopping in Darwin Oman Air Will Join Oneworld Alliance in 2024 Airport Mask Mandate Ends in Most Australian States Qantas Further Slashes Points, Status Credits on Malaysia Airlines Qantas Overcharging for Alaska Airlines Rewards Air New Zealand May Not Return to Norfolk Island New Home Check-in Service for Emirates First Class 5,000 Bonus Points with a Bankwest Qantas Transaction Account

  If you've been looking at international airfares recently, you've probably noticed that they're getting quite expensive at the moment. But if you're planning to visit multiple countries or continents on the same trip, there are some great value round-the-world airfares offered by specific airlines. These not only offer great flexibility, but are often also cheaper than just booking a point-to-point Qantas flight to North America or Europe. In this episode, Matt is joined by travel agent and regular podcast guest Alan Lam to talk about how you can take advantage of these special RTW airfare deals.   Episode contents: 1:15 - Fortnightly news round-up 11:54 - Interview with Alan Lam 39:13 - Feedback from last episode   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Great Value Round-the-World Tickets with Finnair & Lufthansa   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Major Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Award Devaluation (2022) Qantas Flights to Rome Selling Extremely Well Virgin Australia’s Flights to Bali Selling Fast United Airlines Will Fly to Brisbane Qantas Opens New Call Centre in Manila Qantas Trials New Self-Service Kiosks Rex Filling Business Class with Free Upgrades Earn Status Credits on Velocity Reward Flights Qantas Flexible Classic Rewards Extended to September 2022 Qantas Unlocks Exit Row Seats on Long-Haul Flights Comair (Kulula & British Airways in South Africa) in Liquidation Last Chance to Redeem Velocity Points for Delta Flights

  In this episode, loyalty program expert David Feldman is back for another chat about airline & hotel loyalty programs! This extended interview covers topics including COVID-19 status extensions, the "golden handcuff" effect, recent changes to hotel loyalty programs, why Qantas could be risking killing its profitable “golden goose”, and lots more.   Episode contents: 1:00 - Fortnightly news round-up 9:05 - Interview with David Feldman   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Guide to Virgin Australia’s Partnership with United Airlines Rex Withdraws from 7 Regional Routes Bonza Won’t Offer Website or Travel Agent Bookings Instant IHG Platinum Status + Diamond Challenge The Crazy Adventure of an AFF Member’s Lost Phone Unlimited German Train Travel for a Month for $14!

  In this episode, learn how to redeem frequent flyer points to travel from Australia to North America in style! Matt explains the options when using Qantas or Velocity points, and chats to Leon Loganathan, a frequent flyer who recently flew to Mexico via the USA in Qantas Business and First Class using Qantas Frequent Flyer points.   Episode contents: 0:56 - Fortnightly news round-up 11:11 - Interview with Leon Loganathan 36:13 - Redeeming Qantas points to North America 41:00 - Redeeming Velocity points to North America & Virgin's new partnership with United Airlines   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Virgin Australia Launching United Partnership on 24 May 2022 Problems with Velocity redemptions on Air Canada when there is a schedule change   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Virgin Australia to Partner with Qatar Airways Qantas Reveals Ultra-Long Range Airbus A350-1000 Seats Qantas’ First A321XLRs Won’t Have Lie-Flat Business Seats Qantas Brings Back Perth-London a Month Early Emirates A380s Return to Christchurch & Auckland in December 2022 Rex to Launch Frequent Flyer Program by September 2022 Amex Increases Centurion Annual Fee to $6,500 30% off Qantas Points to Regional Australia Qantas Extends Flexible Domestic Classic Rewards No Compensation for Qantas Catering Failures Qantas Removing Airport Check-in Kiosks?

  Redeeming Qantas Frequent Flyer points to get to South America is hard enough at normal times, but it's even more difficult when all direct flights between the two continents have been suspended! Gus Higgins flew from Australia to Argentina in February 2022 on a Oneworld Classic Flight Reward ticket booked with Qantas points, travelling via Europe in Business Class. In this episode, he shares his experience of getting to and visiting South America in this post-pandemic era. He also explains the unique travel money situation in Argentina - a country with high inflation and two very different exchange rates.   Episode contents: 1:04 - Fortnightly news round-up 10:11 - Interview with Gus Higgins   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Six Months of Velocity Gold Status with a New Credit Card Airlines Easily Filling Premium Cabins Without Business Travel Oneworld Membership of S7 Airlines Suspended IHG Relaunches Loyalty Program as IHG One Rewards Nasty TRS Change Reversed Virgin Australia Restores Arrivals Lounge Access The Spirits Are Back on Qantas

  Opening 9 years behind schedule, the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Germany became the subject of many jokes due to the ridiculous problems that plagued its construction. But now that it's open, what's it actually like to fly out of BER Airport? Matt recently found out and shares his experience on this episode of AFF on Air. Also in this episode: How the Ukraine war and Russian airspace closures are impacting aviation in surprising ways, Qantas' customer service problem becomes a mainstream issue, and how to find Hawaiian Airlines award availability.   Episode contents: 1:17 - Fortnightly news round-up 11:06 - Matt visits Berlin's new airport 16:57 - The war in Ukraine and implications for Australian flyers 28:23 - Qantas' customer service problem becomes mainstream 32:56 - Listener questions: Hawaiian Airlines award availability and credit cards for retirees   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Wendover Productions YouTube video: "The Sanction-Fueled Destruction of the Russian Aviation Industry" Applying for New Credit Cards in Retirement   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Major Qantas Domestic Catering Problems Australia to End Pre-Flight COVID Testing Australian Passport Processing Times Blow Out Virgin Eyes High-Flying Business Travellers Virgin Extends Travel Bank Expiry Dates Rex Winds Back COVID Refund Guarantee New Qantas Routes from Sydney to Seoul & Bengaluru Virgin Delays United Partnership Launch Earn Velocity Status Credits on the Ground in April 2022 How to Earn Points Paying ATO Tax & Bills in 2022 Amex Reopens Australian Airport Lounges Westpac Altitude, Amplify Axe Malaysia Airlines Enrich Partnership

  Redeeming frequent flyer points for an international flight in Business Class can be hard enough if you just want one or two seats. But what if you want to take your whole family on holiday? Peter Fryar is one of the award travel consultants at Frequent Flyer Solutions, AFF’s sister website. As well as an excellent knowledge of frequent flyer programs generally and experience helping Award Flight Assist clients, Peter has plenty of experience with booking award travel for his family of four. He joins Matt on this episode of AFF on Air to share his tips for families and larger groups looking for award availability on the same flights. Also in this episode, there are two new status match opportunities with a SkyTeam and a Oneworld airline.   Episode contents: 1:27 - Fortnightly news round-up 13:14 - Interview with Peter Fryar 38:00 - Two new airline status match opportunities   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar Award Flight Assist ITA Airways Volare status match Royal Air Maroc status match   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Even Platinum Members Can’t Reach Qantas Anymore! Singapore Airlines Call Centre Woes Australia to End Pre-Flight COVID Testing Singapore Ends Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) Many Australian International Routes Resume from 27 March 2022 Singapore Airlines Has More International Flights from Australia than Qantas Velocity Restores Singapore Airlines Business Rewards More Qatar Airways Rewards for Qantas Frequent Flyers Air New Zealand Reopens International Lounges Qantas Blocking Exit Row Seats on Long-Haul Flights

  So far this year on the AFF on Air podcast, Matt has spoken to Australians who recently travelled to Canada, Fiji and the UK during this post-COVID era of international travel. In this episode, Matt talks to Ben Bartlett, an Australian who recently visited Thailand and the Philippines for a business trip. Thailand began reopening to tourists in late 2021, with entry to Thailand available via either the Test & Go or Sandbox programs. The Philippines just reopened to tourists in February 2022. So, what’s involved in travelling to these countries right now, and what’s it like once you get there?   Episode contents: 1:21 - Fortnightly news round-up 11:04 - Interview with Ben Bartlett about travel to Thailand & the Philippines   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Thailand Test & Go & Bangkok in Feb 2022 (trip report by BensAdventures)   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: New Zealand Reopens to Australians on 13 April 2022 How to Attain Qantas Frequent Flyer’s New Green Tier Jetstar Resumes Flights to Bali Qantas Int’l Business Lounges Reopen 27 March 2022 Greater Benefits for Qantas Business Rewards Members Qantas Keeps Hanging Up on Customers Yet ANOTHER Huge Increase to Emirates Carrier Charges Last Chance to Redeem Velocity Points for Delta Flights 30% off Selected Qantas Economy Classic Rewards The Latest KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes Deals

  Phil Hawkins has worked in loyalty programs for 25 years, and was most recently the Chief Operating Officer at Flybuys in Australia. In this episode, Matt chats to Phil about some of the things he's learned during his career in loyalty. Find out what happens behind the scenes, what makes a good (or bad) loyalty program, and why elite status tiers wouldn't work for a retail loyalty program like Flybuys.   Episode contents: 1:16 - Fortnightly news round-up 9:48 - Interview with Phil Hawkins 33:47 - Matt travels to Switzerland   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Overview of Australian State & Territory Entry Requirements Qantas Continues Status Extensions Until December 2022 Virgin Boosts Status Credits Until 30 June 2022 Singapore Airlines Returns to Darwin & Cairns Qatar Airways Privilege Club Switches to Avios Nasty Change to Australia’s Tourist Refund Scheme

  AFF on Air continues with its series of podcasts looking at what it’s like travelling to different destinations around the world as international borders open up again. In this episode, Matt speaks to two Australian frequent flyers who recently travelled to the UK. One of them flew to London with Qantas via Darwin, while the other flew with Japan Airlines via Tokyo. Unfortunately, one of this episode's guests did get COVID-19 while in the UK, but this person still doesn't regret going for a second!   Episode contents: 1:15 - Fortnightly news round-up 13:15 - Interview with Andrew Holland about travelling to London 25:12 - Interview with AFF member "scoobs214" about travelling to London   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar Scoobs214's trip report on flying Japan Airlines to London   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Digital Passenger Declaration Replaces Australia Travel Declaration Singapore Removes COVID Testing for Transit Passengers International Airlines Not Returning to Brisbane Bonza Reveals First 25 Routes Cheap Flights to Europe from $606 Return Sneaky Change to Qantas Flight Credits Velocity Reinstating Singapore KrisFlyer Transfers “Shortly” Virgin Australia Delays Sydney-Canberra Restart Again Qantas Bound for Broken Hill

  Many Australians are understandably a bit wary of travelling overseas at the moment in case they catch COVID-19 while they're away. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened to Australian Frequent Flyer forum moderator Bill MacCubbin (whose AFF username is "straitman") on a recent trip to Fiji. But it wasn't really a horror story at all - Bill recovered quickly, was looked after very well and didn't have too much trouble eventually coming home. In fact, even with the benefit of hindsight, Bill says he would do the trip again. In this episode of the AFF on Air podcast, hear first-hand from Bill about his experience travelling to Fiji in January 2022.   Episode contents: 1:30 - Fortnightly news round-up 9:28 - How to earn KrisFlyer status until 2025 by transferring points from your credit card 13:12 - Interview with Bill MacCubbin 28:32 - Feedback from last episode   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Our Fiji trip Jan 2022 - trip report by straitman   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Qantas Delays Santiago Relaunch Qantas Schedules Daytime Los Angeles-Brisbane Flights No Qantas International Lounge Access for Oneworld Business Class New Qantas Reward Code Enables BP Redemptions Qantas Refunds Incorrect Carrier Charges Qantas Redemptions on Bangkok Airways Still Coming World of Hyatt Didn’t Extend Status Into 2022

  Although many Australians would like to travel overseas over the coming year, many are holding off for now. That's totally understandable - there are still so many unknowns and risks involved with overseas travel in 2022. But is it really that scary out there? For those who've been stuck inside Australia for the past two years, it can be difficult to imagine what life is actually like outside the country at the moment. So over the coming months, Matt will be chatting on the podcast to Australians who've recently returned from different parts of the world about their travel experiences. In this episode, Matt speaks to Daniel Kavan who recently returned from Canada. Daniel and his family had a bit of a disastrous trip home, although thankfully, that wasn't directly due to COVID!   Episode contents: 1:49 - Fortnightly news round-up 12:23 - Interview with Daniel Kavan 38:27 - Round-the-world award tickets   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar - "Fly Around the World using Points" (25 January 2022)   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Qantas to Drop Medical Clearance Form for Past COVID Cases Qantas A380 Returns to Service Stuck in Fiji: The Big Risk of Omicron Travel United’s 2022 MileagePlus Status Match Challenge IHG Rewards Platinum Elite Status Fast Track Singapore Airlines Pauses Expiration of KrisFlyer Miles Until 2023 Velocity Extends Platinum Upgrades on Choice Fares Free Qantas Seat Selection (With a Catch)

  In the final AFF on Air podcast episode for 2021, Matt is joined by the owner of Australian Frequent Flyer Clifford Reichlin for a chat about the challenges of running a travel website during a pandemic - when nobody can travel. Also in this episode, how to get an upgrade when flying with Qantas or Virgin Australia, and a potentially clever hack to get two free nights at Accor hotels.   Episode contents: 0:54 - Fortnightly news round-up 10:37 - How to upgrade your flight on Qantas or Virgin Australia 24:13 - Interview with Clifford Reichlin 39:05 - Listener question: Is it worth joining Accor Plus in Indonesia?   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions How to Upgrade on Virgin Australia for $50 The Qantas Call Centre is a Disgrace Guide to Accor Plus Membership   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Overview of Australian State Border Restrictions Border Rules Tightened Over Omicron Concerns Virgin Partners with Link Airways on Sydney-Canberra Route Westpac & St George Credit Cards Cap Qantas Points Earn Flybuys Points at Bunnings & Officeworks Earn Velocity Status Credits on Hertz Car Rentals Qantas Corrects Accor Earn Rate Error How to Buy & Redeem Avianca LifeMiles

  As the international border reopens, some Australians are starting to book overseas trips using their frequent flyer points. But post-pandemic award travel is a bit different - the pandemic has turned award availability on its head, and Australians are also using their points to travel to different places than before. In this episode, Matt chats to James Green from Frequent Flyer Solutions about what’s changed for people using their points to book international flights in and out of Australia. Matt also takes a deep dive into some of the arbitrage opportunities to save significant amounts of points by using alternative frequent flyer programs to book Qantas and Virgin flights. Plus, Matt provides an overview of which Australian states & territories are now open, when the rest are expected to open, and the current COVID-19 requirements for interstate travel.   Episode contents: 1:10 - Fortnightly news round-up 8:47 - One by one, Australian states are reopening for quarantine-free travel 14:29 - Where to get a COVID-19 test for travel 17:02 - International border update 19:11 - Interview with James Green: Using points to book international flights in 2022 & new post-pandemic award flight trends 30:30 - Listener question: Opportunities for arbitrage when redeeming frequent flyer points 39:26 - Round-up of loyalty program promos expiring soon   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Overview of Australian State Border Restrictions New Zealand Will Reopen to Visitors from May 2022 Where to Get a Pre-Flight COVID-19 Test in Australia Award Flight Assist Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar: Fly Overseas on Points in 2022 (8 December 2021)   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: New Qantas Frequent Flyer Green Tier Rewards Sustainability Qantas & Accor Launch Loyalty Program Partnership Optus Dials Up Qantas Points Rex Adds Brisbane to Relaunched Jet Network How to Get a $32 Jetstar Business Class Seat Upgrade St George Credit Cards Cap Qantas Points Qantas Routes India Flights via Adelaide Qantas Gold Status Fast Track is Back!

In this episode, Matt chats to frequent flyer and lifetime Qantas Platinum member Chris Gibbs about how he managed to earn well over 100,000 lifetime status credits on Qantas, what he learned along the way and his thoughts on the future of business travel after the pandemic. Also in this episode, international travel insurance options that cover COVID-19 and Matt shares his experience of flying to Sydney from overseas in the first week of quarantine-free travel resuming. Episode contents: 2:00 - Fortnightly news round-up 9:56 - Interview with Chris Gibbs 34:52 - Matt's experience flying quarantine-free from New Zealand to Australia 40:46 - Which insurers provide international COVID-19 travel insurance and what is covered? Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions My Experience Flying to Australia in November 2021 Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Virgin Unveils Refreshed Melbourne Lounge Bonus Velocity Points & Status Credits with International Partners 30% off Qantas Domestic Classic Flight Rewards Rex Introduces In-Flight Wifi Two-Way Travel Bubble for Australia & Singapore Which Airlines Still Offer First Class from Australia? Velocity’s 20-30% November Transfer Bonus (2021) Air Canada Releases Sydney-Vancouver Award Availability