Summary: Have you ever wondered how airline alliances or hotel loyalty programs work behind the scenes?<br> <br> <br> <br> In this episode, Matt is joined by an expert in loyalty programs, former Malaysia Airlines Enrich CEO and current StatusMatch.com CEO Mark Ross-Smith for a chat about the world of airline alliances.<br> <br> <br> <br> Find out what airlines need to do in order to join an airline alliance such as Oneworld, Star Alliance or SkyTeam, the pros & cons for airlines, and what happens if an airline wants to leave an alliance.<br> <br> <br> <br> The discussion also covers priority boarding, Qantas lifetime status, the strange relationship between Qantas and Qatar Airways, the latest airline status matching trends, and more!<br> <br> <br> <br> Episode contents:<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> 1:29 - Fortnightly news round-up<br> <br> <br> <br> 11:41 - Interview with Mark Ross-Smith<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Links:<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions<br> <br> <br> <br> Frequent Flyer Solutions webinars<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Qantas Tightens Lounge Guest Eligibility<br> <br> <br> <br> Velocity’s New Peak & Off-Peak Reward Seat Pricing<br> <br> <br> <br> Ola Waves Goodbye to Velocity Partnership<br> <br> <br> <br> Qantas to Introduce Boarding Groups<br> <br> <br> <br> Qantas Launches Free Wifi on Select International Flights<br> <br> <br> <br> Virgin Australia Introduces Real-Time Baggage Tracking<br> <br> <br> <br> Rex Expands Jet Network to Hobart<br> <br> <br> <br> ACCC Backs Flight Delay Compensation Scheme in Australia<br> <br> <br> <br> Woolworths Devalues Everyday Extra<br> <br> <br> <br> Great BA Premium & Business Award Availability to Singapore<br> <br> <br> <br> Huge Qantas International Network Expansion in 2023<br> <br> <br> <br> Qantas to Lease Finnair A330s for Singapore, Bangkok Flights<br> <br> <br> <br> Batik Air Malaysia to Fly Perth-Auckland<br> <br> <br> <br> Virgin to Fly Boeing 737-700s to Tokyo
