Episode 18 - What Makes a Good Hotel Loyalty Program?

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 25, and final – at least for now - episode of Travel Pointers! Matt's been the editor of Australian Frequent Flyer since 2015, but is now finishing up in this role at the end of the year. But before Matt moves on to bigger and brighter things, we thought this podcast episode would be a great opportunity for him to impart his knowledge on how the loyalty landscape has changed over his time at the helm of AFF’s editorial content, as well as some tips and tricks that he’s learned over the years. Also, AFF has just updated its Point Valuations for both frequent flyer and bank programs – what changed since last time? Unfortunately, with Matt moving on, this podcast won’t continue in the forseeable future. Thanks so much to everyone for listening to this podcast and for your support. Safe travels! Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: AFF's updated point valuations - both frequent flyer and credit card points were updated The power of the AFF community Matt's tips for aspiring travel content creators

In episode 24 of the Travel Pointers podcast, Matt Graham chats to LoungePair CEO Daniel Kinnoch for a behind-the-scenes look at the world of airport lounges! Everyone loves to start off their trip with a visit to a great airport lounge - and if you don't already have access through airline status, a lounge membership or your credit card, LoungePair can make that possible. Some airport lounges even over swimming pools! Plus, Air New Zealand's loyalty program often gets a bad rap on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum. But in this episode, find out why there is some decent value to be found in Airpoints (soon to be renamed as "Koru") after all - especially if you live in New Zealand.   Here’s where you can find more information the topics discussed in this episode: Qantas Introduces Dine on Demand in First Class A Boyhood Dream Fulfilled: Space-Geek Tour of the USA (AFF Trip Report of the Year) LoungePair Guide: Access Airport Lounges for Less Complimentary LoungePair+ for AFF Platinum Members Swim, Gym, Sauna & Shower at Melbourne Airport for $25

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 23 of Travel Pointers! The pair discuss which are the world's best airlines, as well as their favourite picks - do you agree with their list? Also, Australians often focus their attention on two of the three alliances: Oneworld and Star Alliance. Many people seem to forget that the SkyTeam alliance exists – but it’s for exactly that reason that it could be worth your while to learn about it.   Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode: Qantas and Virgin Australia banning use of power banks Last chance to transfer Amex points at current rates (15 Dec) Earn Velocity status credits on distance flown with Virgin Australia Holidays  Virgin Australia closing Sydney premium lounge entry  Burgers are now served in the Qantas Business lounge in Sydney Jetstar flyers can earn more Qantas Points and bonus status credits each year with a Qantas Frequent Flyer Extra subscription Qantas will improve downgrade compensation policy for customers on Classic Reward tickets Cathay banning changes to frequent flyer numbers online or over the phone Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: What are your favourite airlines? Let us know in this thread! Matt's 5 favourite airlines Stephen's 5 favourite airlines How to access the AFF discount on Qantas Club memberships

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 22 of Travel Pointers! Next month, American Express will make big changes to its Membership Rewards program. The transfer rates to many overseas airline programs will get devalued, and there are also a couple of changes to transfer partners that are available.  In this episode, we’ll discuss what’s changing and the best ways to use your Amex points, especially if you want to transfer them out before the upcoming devaluation.  Even if you don’t have Amex points, you might find this discussion useful as we’ll talk about the ways Australians can redeem points with overseas frequent flyer programs.  Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode: Qantas introducing Economy Plus Qantas announces Sydney International Business Lounge upgrade plans The price of Qantas Club membership is increasing - get a discount with Gold and Platinum AFF memberships Air New Zealand renaming Airpoints to Koru, introducing a new Black tier Qatar Airways now charges seat selection fees on reward tickets Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: American Express Membership Rewards changes Qantas vs Velocity status comparison AFF's membership changes

What makes a great airport? In Travel Pointers Episode 21, Matt and Wilson chat about their favourite airports around Australia and the world, why they like them, and some of the best features of different airports that you might not have even known existed.   Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode: Velocity members can no longer book United long-haul (including trans-Pacific) Business Class awards You can now earn Qantas points and status credits on eligible Oman Air flights Jetstar is moving to Singapore Airport Terminal 2 KrisFlyer has adjusted its award chart on November 1 You can now earn 110 Qantas status credits on the ground, if you registered by 31 October 2025. Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: Sign up to the Australian Frequent Flyer Gazette Share your favourite airport and the reasons why!  

Since SAS launched a promo last year offering a million frequent flyer points to members who flew with 15 SkyTeam partner airlines, many other airlines have launched copycat promos. Are these offers worthwhile, and would something similar work in Australia? Matt and Wilson discuss this, and lots more, in the latest episode of Travel Pointers! Note: since this episode was recoreded, Velocity have announced extra benefits for Platinum Plus members. Show note links Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode: Velocity's changes to status Qantas' new A321 XLR Qantas announces new partnership with David Jones Chile removes visa requirements for Australians ALL Accor Plus rebrands as ALL Accor+ Explorer Qantas and Malaysia Airlines announce codeshare agreement Virgin Australia introduces neighbour-free seating Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: AFF's 18th annual member gathering in Melbourne SAS 'Eurobonus Millionaire' promotion

Join Matt Graham and special guest Udhara de Silva, the head of Loyalty Marketing & Strategy for Singapore Airlines in Australia, for episode 19 of Travel Pointers! In this podcast episode, Matt and Udhara discuss how Singapore Airlines and KrisFlyer manage to compete in Australia against two very dominant local players. They also talk about the upcoming KrisFlyer program changes, Kris+, KrisFlyer's hard three-year mileage expiration policy, and some of the ways you can earn bonus KrisFlyer miles in Australia right now. Finally, later in this episode, Matt follows up on some AFF member feedback from our last episode on hotel loyalty programs. Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode: Amex Membership Rewards program devaluation Qantas quietly devalues Classic Plus redemptions Cashrewards suddenly closes down Lufthansa City Airlines joins Star Alliance Jetstar getting Business Class on its A321XLRs Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: AFF's Meetings & Social Events forum Updates to the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 18 of Travel Pointers! In Travel Pointers Episode 18, Matt and Wilson discuss what makes a good hotel loyalty program. The pair talk about our favourite programs, why they like them, and how you can make the most of them. Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode: Qantas removing points option from loyalty bonus from 15 September  Qantas extending flights to Palau for another year  Qantas has resumed giving free upgrades to Platinum members KrisFlyer award chart changes Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: AFF's webinars My IHG One Rewards status strategy  My excellent experience with Radisson Rewards status  Accor Plus guide 

In Travel Pointers Episode 17, Matt and Wilson chat about Emirates' Premium Economy cabin, and their experience onboard. It looks really nice in photos, but what is it really like? The pair also chat about Premium Economy more broadly, and why airlines are more and more keen to add a Premium Economy cabin. Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode: Air Canada Aeroplan moves to spend-based status KrisFlyer introduces a fixed award chart for Scoot Qantas has been fined an extra $90 million for illegally sacking ground staff during the pandemic QantasLink will fly from Perth to Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands, taking over from Virgin Australia Commbank cuts the vast majority of its transfer partners You can now use Qantas Points to upgrade on American Airlines Accor Plus is rebranding to Accor+ Explorer, with changes Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: Matt's article on footnets Cheap strategies for Business Class to Europe AFF Melbourne 2025 Gathering

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 16 of Travel Pointers! In Travel Pointers Episode 16, Matt and Wilson explain the winners and losers of the AFF Point Valuations. After months spent building a detailed model to calculate the average value of a frequent flyer point, AFF has released its first ever Frequent Flyer Point Valuations! Wilson and I developed this model together; we’ll explain exactly how the model works, which frequent flyer programs came out on top, which flopped, and why. The pair also chat about AFF's brand new look! Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode: Qantas boosts points earnings for domestic flights and for those flying premium cabins with status Qantas enables Wi-Fi on Trans-Tasman flights Velocity introduces trials of Platinum Plus ahead of October changes to status calculation Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: AFF point valuations AFF's brand new look and logo The Trip Report thread