AFF on AIR Podcast

After more than 100 episodes, we’re calling time on the AFF on Air podcast. But it’s not all bad news! Australian Frequent Flyer editor Matt Graham will now co-host a brand new Australian travel podcast called Travel Pointers. He’ll be joined on this brand new podcast by Point Hacks news editor Chris Chamberlin. (The first episode of Travel Pointers was released today.) In this final episode of AFF on Air, Matt provides an update of what’s happening with AFF’s podcasts, and on the Australian Frequent Flyer website more generally. He also takes the opportunity to address the many loyal listeners who’ve been tuning in to AFF on Air since 2019. See here for details about the new Travel Pointers podcast: https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/introducing-travel-pointers-podcast/ Do you have a favourite episode of AFF on Air? Let us know in the AFF on Air discussion thread! Finally, thank you so much for listening and for your support of AFF on Air over the years. If you enjoyed this podcast, we’re sure you’ll love Travel Pointers. Go and check it out now! 🙂

Have you ever wondered how airline alliances or hotel loyalty programs work behind the scenes? 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. 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. 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! Episode contents: 1:29 – Fortnightly news round-up 11:41 – Interview with Mark Ross-Smith Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Frequent Flyer Solutions webinars Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Qantas Tightens Lounge Guest Eligibility Velocity’s New Peak & Off-Peak Reward Seat Pricing Ola Waves Goodbye to Velocity Partnership Qantas to Introduce Boarding Groups Qantas Launches Free Wifi on Select International Flights Virgin Australia Introduces Real-Time Baggage Tracking Rex Expands Jet Network to Hobart ACCC Backs Flight Delay Compensation Scheme in Australia Woolworths Devalues Everyday Extra Great BA Premium & Business Award Availability to Singapore Huge Qantas International Network Expansion in 2023 Qantas to Lease Finnair A330s for Singapore, Bangkok Flights Batik Air Malaysia to Fly Perth-Auckland Virgin to Fly Boeing 737-700s to Tokyo

Matt sits down for an extended interview by Silva McLeod, Tonga’s first ever female airline pilot. After flying for Royal Tongan Airlines, Silva went on to fly in Auatralia for Aeropelican, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and ultimately Virgin Blue, which became Virgin Australia. But the journey from island girl to airline pilot, as Silva tells in her new book, wasn’t an easy one. Also in this episode, it’s become easier to get to Hawaii with Velocity Frequent Flyer points. Episode contents: 1:22 – Fortnightly news round-up 7:22 – Interview with Silva McLeod 52:12 – Redeeming Velocity points for Hawaiian Airlines flights 54:58 – Why Avios are useful for Australians Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Book: ‘Island Girl to Airline Pilot’ by Silva McLeod Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar – Avios for Aussies (8pm AEST on 25 May 2023) Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: United Expands Service to Australia & New Zealand How to Fly Emirates Premium Economy in 2023 Free Singapore Transit Tours Are Back ING Bank Removes Overseas ATM Fee Rebates British Airways Increasing Avios Subscription Prices Qantas’ Melbourne First Class Check-in Suite to Reopen Transfer Points to Velocity for a 15% Bonus (May 2023) Virgin Australia Extends Middle Seat Lottery

It’s our 100th episode! To celebrate, we’re taking a look back at the history of Australian Frequent Flyer forum, which this year will turn 25 years old. This episode features interviews with AFF’s founder Clifford Reichlin and one of the original forum moderators, Lindsay Wilson (QF WP). Today, AFF has over 60,000 members – but Lindsay was the third person to ever join. Episode contents: 1:10 – Fortnightly news round-up 4:59 – Interview with Clifford Reichlin, the founder of AFF 19:29 – Interview with Lindsay Wilson (a.k.a. forum moderator “QF WP”) 33:31 – We’re opening the AFF archives 35:20 – Happy 100th episode! Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions A little bit of moderation in Dubai. (historical trip report from 2013) A Brief History of Qantas Frequent Flyer Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Fiji Airways Launches Canberra-Nadi Route Hilton Honors Status Match Challenge UK Air Passenger Duty: How to Avoid Paying Hundreds Qatar Airways Quietly Extends Privilege Club Tiers (Again) Last Chance to Earn Qantas Points with Quandoo

The AFF on Air podcast is back! While we were taking a summer break, a brand new airline called Bonza launched flights in the Australian market. In this episode, Matt chats to the CEO of Bonza Tim Jordan to find out what’s involved in starting a new airline in Australia, how the launch has been going, why the airline doesn’t offer website bookings and what’s next for Bonza’s route network. Also in this episode: Qantas has released a new Double Status Credits offer, and how to be notified when airlines release new reward seats. Episode contents: 1:05 – Fortnightly news round-up 10:31 – Interview with Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza 34:19 – Qantas’ latest “double status credits” offer 38:46 – Listener question: How to get alerted when airlines release new award availability Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Matt’s Bonza flight review Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar – Everyone Loves an Upgrade (29 March 2023) Make the Most of Qantas’ New Double Status Credits Offer “oneworld” award (132.4K/249.6K/318K/455K) Planning – The Definitive Thread Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Buy & Redeem Virgin Atlantic Points for SkyTeam Flights Qantas Expands China Airlines Redemptions Beyond Taipei Emirates Restores Melbourne-Singapore Connection Virgin Australia Business Flyer Status Match Qantas Fixes Ongoing Reward Flight Ticketing Failures These Are Etihad Guest’s New Award Charts New International Lounge Opens at Adelaide Airport Qantas Invests in New & Upgraded Lounges New KrisFlyer Round-the-World Award Booking Service Fee Citibank Cards End Emirates Skywards Transfers Croatia is Now Part of the Schengen Area Qatar’s New Mandatory Travel Insurance Requirement Earn 250 Status Credits or 30,000 Extra Points with a Velocity Credit Card

Struggling to redeem your frequent flyer points for flights? Matt chats to James Green from Award Flight Assist about the current situation with Qantas, Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines award availability out of Australia. If you want to redeem your frequent flyer points to book an overseas trip, find out where to look for seats in this podcast. Episode contents: 0:56 – Fortnightly news round-up 7:26 – Interview with James Green 28:30 – An update on Qantas Classic Reward seat availability 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: Qantas A330s Bound for Bali Over Summer Singapore Airlines Releases First Saver Awards to Melbourne Fly to South Africa via Paradise for $3,545 Return in Business Class Beware of Virgin’s All-Economy 737s and A320s Qantas Club Reopens in Rockhampton You Can Now Convert Cathay Asia Miles to Marriott Points

In this episode, find out why Air Canada’s Aeroplan program deserves more attention from Australian frequent flyers! Plus, learn how to supercharge your Coles Flybuys and Woolworths Everyday Rewards points. Episode contents: 0:59 – Fortnightly news round-up 12:43 – Air Canada’s Aeroplan program 23:00 – New Star Alliance credit card 27:09 – How to supercharge your Flybuys and Everyday Rewards points Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Air Canada Aeroplan Adds Two Unique Airline Partners New HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card in Australia Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar – “Air Canada Aeroplan: A Hidden Gem” (23 November 2022) Flybuys Hacks to Earn More Flights for Shopping at Coles Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Does Australia Need EU-Style Air Passenger Protections? Qatar Airways’ Bizarre Daily Melbourne-Adelaide Flight Australia-USA Flights at 50% of Pre-COVID Capacity How Finnair Is Reinventing Its Business Model T’Way Air Launching Sydney-Seoul Flights Use Qantas Points to Fly on Bangkok Airways Jetstar Moving to Terminal 4 in Singapore

  In the episode, Matt chats to Ron Haack, a recently retired pilot. Ron began his career in the Royal Australian Air Force and then flew for Qantas for 24 years, flying Airbus A330s and Boeing 747-400s.   Episode contents: 0:55 – Fortnightly news round-up 8:48 – Interview with Ron Haack 34:00 – Feedback from episode 94 – cheapest redemptions or flights booked 35:53 – AFF social events are back   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions AFF meetings & social events forum   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Virgin Australia Launches Middle Seat Lottery Qantas Expects International Airfares to Come Down How Will Virgin Australia Launch Flights to Tokyo? Qantas Pauses Perth-Johannesburg Ticket Sales Air NZ Removes “Seat Only” Fares to Perth, Hawaii & Tahiti Marriott Ends Bonus Points on Transfers to 3 Airlines Airline Cracks Down on Credit Card Churners

  British Airways Executive Club recently began selling subscriptions to receive a monthly allotment of Avios (the airline’s loyalty program currency) at discounted prices. This could offer surprisingly good value to Australians when using those Avios to book Qantas domestic flights or Qatar Airways Business Class flights to Europe! Also in this episode, Matt sits down with AFF forum moderator JessicaTam to talk about Qatar Airways Qsuites, airline lounges, travelling without checked baggage, gifts for the cabin crew, and lots more.   Episode contents: 1:10 – Fortnightly news round-up 10:10 – British Airways Avios subscriptions 22:07 – Interview with JessicaTam   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions How to Buy & Redeem British Airways Avios   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Half-Price Qantas Club Offer (October 2022) Virgin Perth Lounge Opens for Evening Departures Rex Introduces Business Class “Bid Up” Upgrades Alaska Airlines Award Chart Overhaul Coming IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status Fast Track Hilton Honors Double Night Credits Promotion Airlines Reach Status Extension Crossroads Airlines Offer Thousands to Switch from Overbooked Flights

  Learn why airline award charts are the key to maximising your frequent flyer points, as Matt shares some of the most incredible frequent flyer redemptions he’s seen during his years of covering and using points. Plus, COVID-19 travel restrictions are coming down across northern Asia as Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong reopen their borders to tourists.   Episode contents: 1:04 – Fortnightly news round-up 13:18 – The best ever award chart sweet spots and loopholes 24:23 – Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan are reopening to overseas tourists 27:11 – Listener feedback – Overcast podcast platform 28:07 – Listener feedback – Matt on the Points of View podcast 29:21 – Listener feedback – Booking a KrisFlyer round-the-world award   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Qantas Award Flights Were Incredible Value in the 1990s Japan is Fully Reopening to Tourists!   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: What Virgin Atlantic Joining SkyTeam Means for Australians RwandAir to Join Oneworld Alliance Why International Flights Are So Expensive Right Now No Seats Available on Jetstar to Bali For Next 3 Weeks Velocity Teases More Partner Airline Benefits More Airlines Give Status Credits for Environmental Contributions When Qatar Airways Releases Seats for Qantas Points Bookings Qantas Ending COVID Flexibility on Reward Bookings Flybuys Considering Switch to Qantas Points? Malaysia Airlines Offers Bonus Domestic Side Trip Upgraded SkyTeam Lounge Opens in Sydney Velocity to Introduce Carrier Charges on Singapore Airlines