AFF on AIR Podcast

On the AFF on Air podcast, we often talk about the frequent flyer programs of airlines. But hotels are an equally important part of the travel experience, and hotel loyalty programs can offer some great perks (as well as free nights) to frequent guests. In this episode, James Green from Frequent Flyer Solutions explains how loyalty programs work - from earning and redeeming points, to gaining elite status with major hotel chains including Hilton Honors, IHG Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy and Accor ALL. You'll also learn how to achieve elite hotel loyalty status without even spending a night in a hotel!

Also in this episode, how to earn 20,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points (plus get a very nice case of wine) for under $400.

 

Episode contents:

1:00 - Fortnightly news round-up

11:18 - How to earn 20,000 Qantas points for under $400 with Qantas Wine deals

14:51 - Interview with James Green on hotel loyalty programs

 

Links:

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

20,000 Qantas Points (Plus Six Great Bottles of Wine) for $399

Frequent Flyer Solutions training course on loyalty programs including hotel loyalty programs

 

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

Australia to Increase International Arrival Caps

Qantas to Wet Lease Alliance Airlines E190s

SilkAir Merges Into Singapore Airlines

Qatar, Emirates & Cathay Pacific Further Extend Tier Status to 2022

Qantas Launches Rescue Flights to Norfolk Island

Overview of Australian State Border Restrictions

10 Free Qantas Points Per Day for Walking (February 2021)

5,000 Bonus Points for Adding an Additional Amex Cardholder

Earlier this month, Qantas reopened international flight bookings for July 2021. But then, this week, Australia's current and former Chief Medical Officers both said they didn't expect regular international travel to Australia to resume until 2022. So, when can we expect some level of meaningful international travel to resume?

Also in this episode, Matt discusses the current state border arrangements, the impact of the recent reduction to Australia's international arrival caps and how you can claim your share of free Velocity Frequent Flyer points.

 

Episode contents:

2:12 - Fortnightly news round-up

13:50 - Discussion on state border closures

26:19 - Australia further reduces international arrival caps

33:16 - When could Australia's international borders reopen?

40:06 - How to claim your free Velocity points

 

Links:

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

Overview of Australian State Border Restrictions

Domestic Reward Flights Can Still Be Great Value

The International Flights Available to Australia in January 2021

 

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

Qantas & Virgin Suspend Lounge Access on Arrival

Qantas to Launch 7 New Regional Routes in Early 2021

Face Masks Mandatory on Domestic Flights

Virgin Removes Music from In-Flight Entertainment

Flybuys Improves Velocity Points Transfer Rate

The Qatar Blockade is Over

Virgin Australia Partners with Air Canada

Win a Share of 20 Million Velocity Points

Emirates Reveals New Premium Economy Seats

Woolworths’ Frequent Shopper Club Closing on 25 January 2021

Velocity Global Wallet Shutting Down

As 2020 draws to a close, there's finally some good news. Australian state borders are reopening, planes are back in the air, and more pilots are returning to work. One of them is Virgin Australia 737 pilot AviatorInsight who is now doing simulator training and flight checks ahead of returning to the skies later this month. He joins Matt on this episode to reflect on the year and explain the process of returning to the sky after a long period on the ground.

And Virgin Australia has matched Qantas' recent status match offer, meaning both Qantas & Velocity members now have an opportunity to switch. If you're eligible, why not take advantage of this offer and put your eggs in two baskets?

 

Episode contents:

0:58 - Fortnightly news round-up

11:12 - Virgin Australia joins Qantas in launching a status match & extension offer

18:52 - Interview with AviatorInsight

29:22 - Final word for the final episode of 2020

 

Links:

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

Velocity Launches “Discover Gold” Status Match

Velocity Announces Additional Status Extensions & Rewards

AFF "Ask The Pilot" thread

 

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

Overview of Australian State Border Restrictions

Qantas Reopens More Domestic Airport Lounges

Qantas Considers Expanding Points Club

Rex Launches $79 Sydney-Melbourne Flights

Earn & Redeem Qantas Points for Australian Train Journeys

Flybuys Introduces Velocity Points Auto Transfer

In 2009, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) began accepting payments by credit card. Many Australians have to pay tax anyway, so they took the opportunity to pay by card and earn frequent flyer points in the process. Since then, the banks have slowly but surely removed this loophole by excluding government payments from earning points. Next week, St George Bank will become the final major Australian bank to stop awarding points for tax payments.

But Australians have made hay while the sun was shining - and few more so than the AFF member who goes by the username "cove". Cove estimates his family has earned 100 million points by paying taxes with credit cards since 2009. In this episode, Matt finds out how he did it! You'll also learn how to continue earning points for tax payments, even after St George closes this loophole.

Also in this episode, Qantas has launched a status match and Virgin Australia is now finally out of voluntary administration.

 

 

Episode contents:

1:14 - Fortnightly news round-up

8:18 - Virgin Australia is out of voluntary administration. What's next?

12:45 - Interview with "cove"

29:07 - How to continue earning points for tax payments in Australia

 

Links:

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

Virgin Australia to Relaunch Business Class

Half of Virgin Australia’s Lounges to Reopen

How to Earn Points for Paying Tax & Other Bills in 2020

Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar: How COVID-19 Has Changed Travel: Planning for 2021 (9 December 2020)

 

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

Bain Takes Control as Virgin Australia Exits Voluntary Administration

Extend Your Qantas Status By Booking One Flight

Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold Status Match

Overview of Australian State Border Restrictions

Velocity Global Wallet Shutting Down

How to Buy & Redeem Air Canada Aeroplan Points

Flybuys Removes Annual Velocity Points Transfer Limit

Qantas to Launch Strategic Partnership with Accor Hotels

ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Card Withdraws Virgin Benefits

On 16 November 1920, Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Services (or QANTAS for short) was incoporated. This makes next Monday, 16 November 2020, the airline's 100th birthday!

But the story of the birth of Qantas goes far beyond the signing of a piece of paper in 1920. In this episode, Qantas Founders Museum curator Tom Harwood joins Matt to tell the full story of how Qantas was founded and grew to become Australia's beloved national carrier.

 

Episode contents:

1:00 - Fortnightly news round-up

11:51 - Interview with Tom Harwood

 

Links:

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

"100 years of what?" - an informative article by Tom Harwood on the Qantas Founders Museum website

 

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

Qantas Closes Airport Service Desks

NSW & ACT to Reopen Victorian Border from 23 November

Fly to Lord Howe Island with Qantas Points

Bonus Points & Status Credits on Transfers to Velocity – November 2020

Berlin Brandenburg Airport is Finally Open!

The Cheapest & Most Expensive Countries for Domestic Flights

Many Australians have used the travel downturn to work on projects around the house. Canberra-based Andrew Newnham, whose AFF handle is harvyk, is no exception. But instead of reseeding his lawn, installing a new kitchen or painting the house, Andrew decided to build a life-size Boeing 747 flight simulator in his garage!

In this episode, Andrew tells Matt all about the project and what it takes to build a full-scale flight simulator at home.

Also in this episode, find out where all the grounded Qantas & Virgin planes are parked and why the Boeing 737 MAX could soon return to the skies.

You can see pictures of Andrew's flight simulator here: Podcast #48: 747 Enthusiast Builds Flight Simulator in Garage

 

Episode contents:

0:51 - Fortnightly news round-up

12:25 - Interview with Andrew Newnham

24:21 - Where are all the grounded Qantas & Virgin planes?

27:35 - Boeing 737 MAX update

 

Links:

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

Where Are the 137 Grounded Qantas & Virgin Planes?

The Boeing 737 MAX Will Soon Return to Service

Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar: The New Virgin Australia (5 November 2020)

 

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

Qatar’s Reputation Takes Huge Hit After Invasive Searches

More Domestic Flights as Tasmania Reopens Border

Many Surprising New Domestic Routes Launching

Velocity Frequent Flyer Valuation Slashed By Two-Thirds

Virgin Australia Holidays is Closing Down

Qantas Flags New Destinations, Further Cost Cuts

St George to Axe Points for ATO Tax Payments

Canberra Added to Priority Pass Network

Hilton Further Extends Status Until 2022

Flybuys Chief Operating Officer Phil Hawkins knows a thing or two about loyalty. He was with Flybuys right back when the Australian loyalty program launched in 1994! In this episode of AFF on AIR, Phil joins Matt to discuss all aspects of the Flybuys program including its partnership with Velocity Frequent Flyer and why targeted offers are so critical to the program's success.

In the news round-up, Matt also talks about the current woes beleaguering Virgin Australia. The airline has just lost its CEO, the unions don't trust the new owner and staff are taking sick leave because they're sick of dealing with Business class passengers unhappy over receiving two-minute noodles as an in-flight meal. What will Bain Capital do next?

 

Episode contents:

0:46 - Fortnightly news round-up

11:05 - Interview with Phil Hawkins, Flybuys COO

39:48 - AFF's annual weekend gathering in Canberra

 

Links:

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

AFF#14 gathering in Canberra (4-6 December 2020)

 

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

The Axe is Falling on Virgin Australia

Velocity Cuts Partner Airline Benefits

Qantas Resumes Limited Trans-Tasman Flights Today

Qantas Scenic Flight Over Australia Proves a Hit

Ever wondered what it's like being an Air Traffic Controller? In this episode Ian Robinson (a.k.a. iRobbo on AFF), who has been an Air Traffic Controller for almost 30 years, talks to Matt about what the job involves, the training required and what it's like dealing with a mid-air emergency from on the ground.

Also in this episode, Matt discusses Rex's ambitious plan to compete head-on with Qantas and Virgin Australia and domestic capital city routes. And over 1,000 former Qantas 747 galley carts are now being delivered to homes across Australia.

 

Episode contents:

0:50 - Fortnightly news round-up

6:56 - Rex's plan to launch capital city flights with Boeing 737s from March 2021

13:59 - Save 5% at Woolworths & Dan Murphy's & get $10 bonus credit with Cashrewards

15:02 - Interview with Air Traffic Controller Ian Robinson

41:57 - Qantas 747 bar carts sell out in minutes - creative ideas for using airline carts at home

 

Links:

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

Rex to Launch Boeing 737 Capital City Flights

Join Cashrewards for Free and Get a $10 Bonus (article)

Join Cashrewards now (join link)

How to Use Your Qantas Bar Cart

 

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

Overview of Australian State Border Restrictions

Air New Zealand Extends Status for a Second Year

ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Card Withdraws Virgin Benefits

Qantas Quietly Ends Price Promise

Alliance Airlines Coming to Canberra

Southern Lights Flight on a Chartered Qantas 787

Next week, the Australian government will increase the number of Australians that can arrive each week from 4,000 to around 6,000 people. This is a welcome step forward and will definitely help to clear the backlog of Australians stranded overseas. But with at least 24,000 Australians currently registered as stranded - and perhaps closer to 100,000 by airline estimates - is it enough?

In this episode, Matt shares the stories of Australians stuck in the Netherlands. The arrival caps, it seems, are only part of the problem. The more immediate issue is that those Australians in the most vulnerable positions, who can least afford to remain overseas, are the same people that can least afford to pay an extortionate ticket price to get home. Buying an Economy class ticket is not an option with many airlines indefinitely bumping Economy class passengers off flights in favour of those who paid more for a premium ticket. Some airlines have stopped selling Economy tickets altogether.

Also in this episode, Norfolk Island is open for tourism from five Australian states, and will also reopen next month for travel from NSW and ACT! If you're keen for an overseas holiday, a trip to Norfolk Island is one way to do this without technically leaving the country.

 

Episode contents:

1:08 - Fortnightly news round-up

9:53 - Australia increases the international arrivals cap

13:41 - Interview with Courtney Devine

26:05 - Other Australians in the Netherlands share their stories

30:28 - Quarantine-free travel to Norfolk Island

 

Links:

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

RemoveTheCap.com

Norfolk Island is Open for Tourism

 

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

Qantas Flight to Nowhere Sells Out in Minutes

Qantas Petitions for State Borders to Reopen

Overview of Australian State Border Restrictions

Qantas Club Gives Further Six-Month Extensions

No Refunds as Many Priority Pass Lounges Remain Closed

ACCC Fears for Airline Competition in Australia

20% Bonus Velocity Points Offer as NAB Reinstates Transfers

30% Off Velocity Business Reward Seats & Upgrades

Qantas Cuts Platinum One Special Service Team

How to Buy and Redeem LifeMiles

On 4 September 2020, Virgin Australia creditors voted to approve the airline's sale to U.S. private equity firm Bain Capital for $3.5 billion. This was the final major hurdle in bringing Virgin Australia out of voluntary administration and avoiding liquidation. The sale is expected to be completed by the end of October. So, how did Virgin Australia get to this point and where is it going from here?

After launching as a low-cost carrier in 2000 (Virgin celebrated its 20th anniversary this week with no fanfare), then relaunching as a full-service airline in 2011, it's now planning to reinvent itself a second time as a "value" carrier. Is this a Goldilocks moment or does Virgin 3.0 risk getting squeezed out of the market?

 

Episode contents:

0:55 - Fortnightly news round-up

12:04 - Virgin Australia's sale to Bain Capital is approved. How did we get here, and what's next for the airline?

27:35 - Customers have long memories. Why aren't more businesses doing the right thing?

 

Links:

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

Virgin Australia Sale to Bain Capital Approved

Virgin Australia Customers to Receive “Future Flight Credits”

Goodwill Lost: Customers Have Long Memories

Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar: Australian Domestic Travel Tips & Tricks (9 September 2020)

 

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

When Should Australia Lift its Outbound Travel Ban?

International Arrival Caps Locking Out Australians

Qantas Cuts More Staff

Boeing 747s Now Operating Just a Handful of Routes

Marriott Bonvoy Status Match

U.S. Airlines Permanently Axe Change Fees