AFF on AIR Podcast

If you want to use your points to book an international Business or First Class flight, often the hardest part is just finding award availability. But if you have American Express Membership Rewards points, there’s a great hack that can give you access to award seats across more than 30 different frequent flyer programs. Plus, until the end of this month, you can even get 50% bonus points when using this method.

In this episode, Matt chats to Chris Chamberlin from Point Hacks who explains how transferring American Express Membership Rewards points to the Marriott Bonvoy program could be an excellent deal.

 

Episode contents:

1:36 - Fortnightly news round-up

8:49 - The Europe early bird sale season is beginning

12:32 - Interview with Chris Chamberlin about the Amex promo on transfers to Marriott Bonvoy

 

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions

Fly Premium Economy to Europe from $1,828 Return

This short-term transfer trick makes your Amex Membership Rewards points more valuable (Point Hacks article)

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

Virgin Australia “Switch-A-Roo” Gold & Platinum Status Match

Virgin Australia Launches Partnership with Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways Rewards: Velocity Members Get Priority over Qantas

Qatar Airways, Emirates Upgrade Perth Flights to A380s

Qantas Delays San Francisco Relaunch Until March 2023

Virgin to Bring Back In-Flight Wifi from Late 2022

New Zealand Drops Mandatory COVID-19 Tests on Arrival

USA Proposes Mandatory Refunds for Aircraft Type Downgrades

The Star Alliance Round-the-World Award offered by Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer program is a great deal. For just 280,000 KrisFlyer miles, plus taxes of course, you could fly around the world with up to 7 stopovers across the Star Alliance network!

But booking one of these does take a bit of work and there are some catches. In this episode, Matt speaks to someone who's booked 3 of these awards this year using his KrisFlyer miles.

 

Episode contents:

1:26 - Fortnightly news round-up

8:40 - Interview with Alan Lam about the KrisFlyer Star Alliance RTW Award

 

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions

How to Book a KrisFlyer Star Alliance Round The World Award

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

Qantas to Fly Sydney-New York via Auckland

New Qantas Business Lounge for Adelaide

Qantas Status Extensions & Gifts Offered as Apology

Virgin Reopens Premium Lounge Entry in Brisbane

Velocity Gold & Platinum Members Gain Air Canada Lounge Access

Finnair Raises Business Class Round-the-World Airfares

Optus Offer: 60,000 Qantas Points for $396

Berlin Airport Now Offers Timed Security Line Reservations

In this episode, Matt takes a close look at two different tools and resources that can make your international travel easier in 2022.

The first tool is Apple AirTags, which can help if an airline loses your luggage. Another is Sherpa, a website with easy-to-read, up-to-date information on where you can travelled and what's required to enter your destination. This has proven a very helpful resource when travelling overseas during and after the COVID-19 pandemic!

This episode includes an interview with David Riley, the Chief of Staff at Sherpa.

 

Episode contents:

1:08 - Fortnightly news round-up

11:34 - How Apple AirTags work

20:29 - Interview with David Riley from Sherpa

 

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions

Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar

Avoid Lost Luggage with Apple AirTags (AFF article)

Sherpa website

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

Qantas Adjusts Departure Times By One Minute

How to Get a Virgin Australia “Discover Gold” Status Match

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Status Match

Virgin Melbourne Lounge Now After Security

No Virgin Lounge Access for International or Red-Eye Flights

Earn Velocity Points on Link Airways

New International Lounge for Adelaide Airport

Emirates Renovating Brisbane Lounge

Hotels Cut Back on Housekeeping

Over the coming months, many Qantas points collectors will attempt to redeem their points for Business Class flights to Europe during next year's peak northern hemisphere summer season. It's a great redemption... if you can get it. That's where the problems start...

In this episode, James Green from Frequent Flyer Solutions explains how you can redeem Qantas points for flights to Europe, as well as other frequent flyer programs to consider that offer better value and award availability.

This episode also includes some follow-up discussion about last fortnight's episode on Air Canada Aeroplan points.

 

Episode contents:

1:21 - Fortnightly news round-up

11:29 - Interview with James Green about redeeming Qantas points to Europe

40:56 - Discussion on Air Canada Aeroplan redemptions

 

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions

kangarooflyer88's informative post in the "Aeroplan (Air Canada) is now selling points" thread

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

Instant Accor ALL Gold Status for Qantas Frequent Flyers

Jetstar Restarts Flights to Japan

Unusual Air New Zealand Award Availability

Qatar Airways Awards Vanish from Qantas Website

Jetstar Moving to Terminal 4 in Singapore?

$400 of Annual Dining Credits for Amex Platinum Cardholders

Qantas Considers Points Subscriptions

No Overseas ATM Fees with Bankwest Qantas Transaction Account

Which Credit Card Travel Insurance Covers COVID-19?

Has the Avianca LifeMiles program lost its shine? Buying LifeMiles during their promotions used to be a popular way of saving money on Star Alliance Business and First class flights, but using them on flights from Australia has become very difficult indeed. In this episode, find out why Air Canada's Aeroplan program may now be a much better alternative for Australian flyers.

Also in this episode, Velocity Frequent Flyer and the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer programs have reinstated the conversion of points between each program. Plus, why airport security queues can be so frustrating for frequent flyers - and a possible solution.

 

Episode contents:

1:14 - Fortnightly news round-up

6:41 - Why Avianca LifeMiles has lost its shine in Australia

13:35 - Why the Air Canada Aeroplan program is a good replacement for LifeMiles

21:20 - Velocity reinstates points transfers to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

29:08 - An idea to improve airport security

 

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions

No Availability: What’s the Point of Buying LifeMiles in 2022?

How to Buy & Redeem Air Canada Aeroplan Points

How to Transfer Velocity Points to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

How to Improve Airport Security Queues

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

The Latest KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes Deals

Emirates Reopens Most Australian Airport Lounges

AirAsia X Challenges on Sydney-Auckland Route

Qantas Fixes Alaska Airlines Classic Reward Pricing

Instant IHG Platinum Status + Diamond Challenge

In this episode, Matt is joined by Aaron Wong, the founder of the Singapore-based frequent flyer blog Milelion, for a chat about the recent changes to the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program. The discussion then continues onto other KrisFlyer-related topics including waitlisting for KrisFlyer award seats, what to do if you have KrisFlyer miles due to expire next year and the new Singapore Airlines lounges that recently opened at Changi Airport.

 

Episode contents:

1:08 - Fortnightly news round-up

10:25 - Interview with Aaron Wong about the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program

48:13 - Velocity as another alternative to Qantas Frequent Flyer

 

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions

How to Book a KrisFlyer Star Alliance Round The World Award

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Devaluation (2022)

Milelion website

Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar (Velocity Points: An Underrated Award Travel Currency - 20 July 2022)

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

Australia Scraps Digital Passenger Declaration

The World’s Safest Countries According to Smartraveller

Velocity to Introduce Carrier Charges on Singapore Airlines

Woolworths Launches “Everyday Extra” Subscriptions

Qantas Restores Seamless Sydney Terminal Transfers

Most Qantas International Lounges Are Now Open Again

Qantas Mulls Lounge Membership Gifting for Points Club Plus

Velocity Extends Expiring Points until June 2023

Airlines Slash Travel Agent Commissions

Air New Zealand Unveils Refreshed Long-Haul Cabins

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?