Travel Pointers

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 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

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 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

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

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 14 of Travel Pointers! Sorry we missed last month, but we're back to our regular schedule! In Travel Pointers Episode 14, Matt and Wilson discuss Qantas' new A321 XLR and what it's like flying long-haul on narrow-body aircraft. They also chat about the routes they took from Europe to Australia. Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode: Qantas gets hit with a cyber attack, compromising around 6 million people's data Oman Air joins Oneworld Qantas and Hawaiian Airlines launch new partnership Velocity re-opens redemptions on Hainan Airlines, Capital Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines Jetstar Asia will cease operations from 31 July 2025 LATAM removes Sydney-Auckland fifth-freedom route China Eastern announces Auckland-Buenos Aires fifth-freedom flights Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: Upcoming webinar about fifth-freedom routes, on 15 July 2025 Matt's review of TAP Air Portugal A321neo LR Economy Class Thread: Would you fly at a less convenient time to get a nicer plane?

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 12 of Travel Pointers! In Travel Pointers Episode 12, Matt and Wilson discuss how to use your Qantas and Velocity points on partner airlines. This can be a great option if you can’t find availability on Qantas or Virgin – or you want to travel somewhere that your own airline doesn’t fly to. They also chat about the unusual way that Wilson flew to Singapore last week. Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode: Qantas launching Adelaide-Auckland from 31 Oct until 3 May QF domestic Business Lounge now open in Adelaide Jetstar will end flights to Hawaii in October after 19 years FlyPelican will end its partnership with Velocity at the end of this month Velocity’s offering 15% bonus on transfers from most Aussie credit card reward programs The Escape Lounges at Brisbane and Cairns are now open, and are accepting Priority Pass Cathay Pacific has reopened The Bridge Lounge in Hong Kong US government has just implemented a new law about resort fees Emirates’ surprising new First Class reward restriction Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: The upcoming webinar on how to find Business and First Class flights using points Want to be an AFF writer? Read more info and apply now! The full fifth-freedom route list Qantas' partner airlines (2005 vs 2025) Velocity ending partnership with Etihad and Hawaiian Airlines Wilson's Cathay Pacific A350 Premium Economy review Matt's Emirates Boeing 777 First Class review

In Travel Pointers Episode 10, Matt and Wilson chat about finding cheap flights! The pair talk about the strategies they use to save money and find cheaper flights to destinations including Asia, Europe and North America, for both Economy and premium cabins. The pair also discuss Virgin Australia's flights to Doha, and recent updates about the service. Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode: Fiji Airways joins Oneworld British Airways loyalty program rebrands to British Airways Club, changes status calculations Amex and PayRewards allow transfers to British Airways Club Avios Loganair now uses Avios Qatar Airways Privilege Club adds Garuda Indonesia United begin flights to Adelaide New information about the VA flights to Doha Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: How to use Google Flights Strategies for cheap Business Class flights to Europe Finnair, Turkish and Lufthansa round-the-world fares Oneworld Explorer Guide Wilson's Vietjet review

In Travel Pointers Episode 8, Matt and Wilson explain everything you need to know about redeeming Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles. It’s a great program with tons of Business Class award availability in and out of Australia, so it’s worth taking the time to get to know it! The pair discuss the quirks you need to be aware of when using Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, as well as certain sweet spots that can make your miles go further! Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode: Qantas reveals new Classic Reward charts Hawaiian Airlines ends Virgin Australia partnership Emirates brings "game-changer" First Class onto Melbourne-Dubai New alternative to Melbourne's Skybus begins service Qantas launch new March 2025 Double Status Credit promotion Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: Transfer KrisFlyer miles to Velocity Matt's Singapore Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 Business Class review The best credit cards to earn KrisFlyer miles How to fly around the world with KrisFlyer miles KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes promotion Learn more about Frequent Flyer Concierge

Welcome to a new year of the Travel Pointers podcast! After a break over the summer holidays, we’re back with not just a new episode, but also a new format. From 2025, Travel Pointers is becoming an Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) podcast. Of course, we’ll still share lots of tips to help you make the most of your frequent flyer points, tell lots of entertaining travel stories, and interview guests from the travel industry. With the change of format also comes a new co-host. From this episode, AFF Editor Matt Graham will be joined by AFF content writer and senior Frequent Flyer Concierge consultant Wilson McTaggart. Wilson shares Matt’s passion for travel and is an expert in frequent flyer programs. In Episode 6 of the Travel Pointers podcast, Matt and Wilson discuss their thoughts on the recent changes announced to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. They also talk in depth about Qatar Airways, from the history of the “World’s Best Airline”, to its fight for more traffic rights into Australia, to its on-board products and services. Both Matt and Wilson have recently flown with Qatar Airways. They talk about the unusual ways they each booked their tickets, as well as their (excellent) experiences on board. Finally, you'll hear about the epic delivery flights from Canada to Australia of QantasLink’s newest Dash 8 planes. Here’s where you can find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: Overview of the 2025 Qantas Frequent Flyer program changes Australian Frequent Flyer Training courses Qantas receives first of 14 Dash 8s from WestJet The AFF 2025 annual member gathering in Melbourne (21-23 November 2025) Virgin Australia launching flights to Doha Wilson’s Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Qsuite review (Doha-Manila)

In Travel Pointers Episode 4, Matt and Chris share their thoughts and opinions about the changes Virgin Australia is making to its Velocity Frequent Flyer program over the next year. These include changes to the way flyers earn and redeem points, the introduction of Platinum Plus and Forever Gold status, and Virgin making status much harder for most people to earn. With Qantas just retiring its last Boeing 717, Chris and Matt reflect on the iconic plane that's graced Australian skies for almost 25 years. The pair also discuss the what the recent news regarding air service to Lord Howe Island means for frequent flyers. Qantas currently flies to this island paradise between Australia and New Zealand, and this flight is one of the best uses of Qantas Points. But with Qantas soon retiring the only plane in its fleet capable of operating this service, it's doing some succession planning. Each episode begins with a discussion about recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode: Qatar Airways eyes 25% stake in Virgin Australia Qantas adds reward seats with Oman Air Qantas Adds Airlink Codeshares Australia's Incoming Passenger Card Finally on the Way Out QantasLink Retires Its Last Boeing 717 Qantas Adds Flights to Palau Welcome Change to Qantas Flight Credits You Can Now Convert Amex Points to Alaska Miles (via HawaiianMiles) Here’s where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: Compare credit cards on Point Hacks Summary of the changes to Velocity Frequent Flyer AFF discussion thread about the Velocity program changes AFF's Meetings & Social Events forum Qantas Retreating from Lord Howe Island in 2026

Point Hacks News Editor Chris Chamberlin and Australian Frequent Flyer Editor Matt Graham explain how they ended up in a window seat without a window, after a seat selection mishap - and discuss the tools and strategies you can use to avoid making the same error! Plus, find out how you can leverage your current elite status with one airline to get a free status match with other airlines including Qantas, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways and Vietnam Airlines. Each episode begins with a discussion about recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode: Qantas Reveals A321XLR Cabin Interiors Aviation White Paper Lets Down Australian Consumers Australians to Finally get US Global Entry in 2025 Virgin Australia Orders Embraer E190 Jets The Next Airlines to Join Oneworld, SkyTeam & Star Alliance Qantas Surprising Platinum Flyers with Free Upgrades Here’s where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode: Subscribe to the Point Hacks reward seat alerts newsletter Where to find accurate airline seat maps Learn more about AFF memberships Learn more about AFF webinars Vietnam Airlines Status Match Etihad Status Match Turkish Airlines Status Match Qantas Tier Accelerator Challenge