AFF on AIR Podcast

  Find out how to get cut-price Virgin Australia Business Class tickets by buying and redeeming Etihad Guest miles! This episode also includes some listener Q&A and an interview with Lance Chow, an award travel consultant at Frequent Flyer Solutions.   Episode contents: 0:59 - Fortnightly news round-up 8:15 - Buying Etihad Guest miles for cheap Virgin Australia flights 15:06 - Ask Matt - tips on earning and redeeming points, upgrades & more 24:08 - Interview with Lance Chow 36:19 - The dumbest travel mistake I've ever made (thankfully, there's a happy ending!)   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions How to Buy & Redeem Etihad Guest Miles Award Flight Assist The Oneworld Flight Across North America with Award Availability [YVR-JFK on CX] The Dumbest Travel Mistake I’ve Ever Made   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Expanded Qantas, Cathay Pacific Codeshares Blocked Etihad Charging for Snacks, Drinks in Economy Avianca Brazil Grounded, All Flights Cancelled Free Qantas Lounge Pass for 18-35 Year-olds UK Opens Passport E-Gates to Australians Redeem Qantas Points to Taipei with China Airlines Rare Air New Zealand Business Award Availability Personalised Airfare Pricing is Coming

  Find out how to easily earn Star Alliance Gold status with several different frequent flyer programs! This episode also includes an interview with John Blom, Australia's top tennis umpire and a lifetime Diamond Plus member of Asiana Club.   Episode contents: 0:57 - Fortnightly news round-up 4:53 - Interview with John Blom - travelling for tennis 11:23 - Interview with John Blom - Asiana Club frequent flyer program 23:06 - Shortcuts to Star Alliance Gold status 32:42 - Why transferring CommBank Awards points to Velocity this month is a good idea   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions The Best Programs to Earn Star Alliance Status Star Alliance Status Match with Turkish Airlines Upcoming Webinar - Star Alliance for Australians (29 May 2019) Got CommBank Awards Points? Transfer to Velocity Now!   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Jetstar Adds Flights to South Korea Complimentary Hotel Status for Frequent Flyers The Latest KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes Deals Passengers Kicked Off Flight for Ignoring Safety Briefing Qantas "Points Plane" Bookings Now Open

  Premium Economy is a great compromise if you want a more comfortable experience than Economy, without paying for Business or First class airfares! In this episode, AFF's favourite travel agent Alan Lam (a.k.a. madrooster on AFF) joins Matt to discuss the pros & cons of Premium Economy and which airlines to use when flying Premium Economy to Europe or North America. Matt and Alan also discuss the upcoming British Airways Executive Club program changes.   Episode contents: 0:49 - Fortnightly news round-up 4:35 - Interview with Alan Lam about Premium Economy 27:49 - The interview continues with discussion on British Airways Avios changes   Links: Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread AFF on Air Discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode Frequent Flyer Solutions training program   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Cathay Pacific to Cut Cairns Connection Up to 25% Bonus Velocity Points on Transfers – May 2019 British Airways Partner Award Price Increase

  Frequent flyer points are a valuable currency, but they aren't immune from hyperinflation! In this episode, Matt discusses why frequent flyer points are a terrible long-term investment. This episode also includes an interview with Darwin-based frequent flyer Leon Loganathan about redeeming Alaska Airlines miles, Marriott Bonvoy, Emirates First Class, the Qantas call centre, the Northern Territory and more.   Episode contents: 1:00 - Fortnightly news round-up 5:47 - Why frequent flyer points are a poor long-term investment 13:17 - Interview with Leon Loganathan 32:34 - New Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan promo   Links: Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread AFF on Air Discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode How to Buy & Redeem Alaska Airlines Miles   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: United Airlines Removing Award Charts Qantas Launches Seasonal Sapporo Flights Lucky Upgrade for Hawaii-Bound Jetstar Passengers New Istanbul Airport is Fully Operational Customs & Immigration Delays at Avalon Airport Virgin Australia Wellington Lounge Review Are RewardPay & B2Bpay Still Worth Using? Bankwest Devalues Qantas MasterCards

  Matt discusses SkyTeam (the forgotten alliance) and how you can gain elite status with SkyTeam for free. This episode also includes an interview with AFF moderator Lindsay, a.k.a. "QF WP" about travel, the Concorde, AFF acronyms and more.   Episode contents: 0:50 - Fortnightly news round-up 4:41 - Delta's SkyTeam status match challenge 11:32 - Interview with "QF WP" 27:47 - The devaluations are coming   Links: Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread AFF on Air Discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode Upcoming webinar - "SkyTeam for Australians" (10 April) Amex Changes Imminent Westpac Discontinues Velocity Auto-Redemption KrisFlyer Star Alliance Award Price Increase from 16 April 2019 KrisFlyer Hikes Virgin Australia, Virgin Atlantic Award Rates   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Major Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus Devaluation WOW AIR Fails to Wow Passengers, Investors Virgin Australia’s Website Doesn’t Work Double Qantas Points on Qantas & Emirates Flights

  Matt discusses the latest airline news and upcoming changes to the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program. This episode also includes an interview with Peter Chin, a former pilot and instructor at Flight Experience in Perth.   Episode contents: 0:58 - Fortnightly news round-up 5:47 - Interview with Peter Chin about fear of flying 18:43 - New airline routes launching next weekend 24:43 - Upcoming changes to KrisFlyer Star Alliance awards   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread KrisFlyer Star Alliance Award Price Increase from 16 April 2019   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: American Airlines Raises Cost of AAdvantage Miles Qantas Classic Flight Reward Discount The Latest KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes Deals Perth to Lombok Non-Stop for $155 return Book Delta Premium Select with Velocity Points Australia Grounds Boeing 737 MAX Qantas Enhances Carry-on Limit

  Matt discusses the current Avianca LifeMiles promotion, the issues plaguing the new airports in Istanbul and Berlin, the latest frequent flyer news, and more.   Episode contents: 0:50 - Fortnightly news round-up 5:13 - Buying LifeMiles for discounted premium cabin flights 16:47 - Will the new airports in Istanbul and Berlin ever open? 23:48 - Ask Matt: Phantom Virgin Australia award availability on Expert Flyer   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread How to Buy and Redeem Avianca LifeMiles Frequent Flyer Solutions training Award Flight Assist   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Qantas Enhances Carry-on Limit Qantas Launching Melbourne-Queenstown Flights Uber Introduces Tipping in Australia Earn 100 Easy Qantas Points at Melbourne Airport Booking Air Niugini Flights with Qantas Points

Matt discusses the Qantas double status credits promotion, online tools for finding award availability and the current Finnair round-the-world sale in Business class. This episode features interviews with travel agent Alan Lam (a.k.a. madrooster) and Chris Lopinto, the founder of Expert Flyer. Episode contents: 0:51 - Fortnightly news round-up 5:14 - Interview with travel agent Alan Lam (a.k.a. madrooster) about Finnair's Business class round-the-world sale 17:32 - Qantas Double Status Credits offer 21:52 - Interview with Chris Lopinto, founder of Expert Flyer 26:47 - Ask Matt: Online tools for finding award availability 33:06 - Ask Matt: Australian domestic flights departing from international terminals Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread Discounted Finnair Round-the-World Business Fares Maximise Double Qantas Status Credits – February 2019 Award Flight Assist AFF Gold member benefits (including Expert Flyer discount) Upcoming webinar - "Must-Have Online Tools for Frequent Flyers" (27 February) Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Credit Card Retention Offers Are Dead Qantas, Emirates Chauffeur Drive Cutbacks United Reduces Flights to Sydney Qantas’ New Credit Card Has a $1,200 Annual Fee Airlines Fight Back Against Hidden-City Ticketing The Latest KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes Deals

  Matt discusses the current Virgin Australia Double Status Credits promotion, flight booking terminology, award availability, and more. This episode also features an interview with Jessica Tam, one of the moderators on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum.   Episode contents: 0:52 - Fortnightly news round-up 4:32 - Virgin Australia double status credits offer 16:47 - Interview with Jessica Tam 27:09 - Ask Matt: Ticketing, reservations and other terminology used when booking flights 30:42 - Ask Matt: Airline routes that never have award availability   Links: Episode 4: AFF discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread The Best Velocity Status Runs with Double Status Credits Current Virgin Australia Discount Codes   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: New Velocity Double Status Credits Offer (February 2019) Macquarie Hilton Honors Credit Card Axed

  Matt discusses the pros & cons of fifth-freedom flights, Singapore Airlines round-the-world award tickets, a Virgin Australia Gold status shortcut, the latest frequent flyer news, and more.   Episode contents: 0:48 - Fortnightly news round-up 5:07 - Discussion on fifth-freedom flights 18:32 - Virgin Australia Pilot Gold status shortcut 22:32 - Ask Matt: How to book a round-the-world award ticket with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles 27:45 - Ask Matt: Crediting points and status credits to different airlines?   Links: Episode 3: AFF discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread A Complete List of Fifth-Freedom Routes "Fly Freedom and Get Gold" Offer Current Virgin Australia Discount Codes   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Free Qantas Vouchers for Switching Flights SPG, Marriott Loyalty Programs Merge as Marriott Bonvoy Royal Brunei Launching Brisbane Flights Qantas Restores A330 on Sydney-Bali Route Qantas Frequent Flyer Raises Joining Fee Emirates Axes Sydney-Bangkok Route

  Matt discusses the upcoming Amex Membership Rewards changes, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer changes, the recent Cathay Pacific mistake fares, and more. This episode also features an interview with Clifford Reichlin, the founder of Australian Frequent Flyer.   Episode contents: 0:25 - Fortnightly news round-up 5:27 - Discussion on the upcoming Amex Membership Rewards devaluation 16:15 - Interview with Clifford Reichlin 29:40 - Introducing our "Ask Matt" segment   Links: Episode 2: AFF discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread Upcoming webinar - "Amex Points Devaluation: What Now?" (23 January at 8pm AEDT)   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Changes from 24 January Velocity Devalues KrisFlyer Transfers New Velocity Carrier Charges on Reward Flights China Southern Will Leave SkyTeam Bestjet Goes Bust, Tickets Cancelled Cathay Pacific Mistake Fares Honoured

  Welcome to AFF on AIR, the brand new podcast presented by Australian Frequent Flyer! In this short introductory episode, Matt introduces the new podcast and briefly recaps some of the highlights from 2018. This episode's contents: 0:26 Introduction 1:39 Recap of 2018 highlights 3:12 About Matt For more information, please contact us.