
54 episodes

AFF on AIR Podcast Matt Graham - Australian Frequent Flyer Editor
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- Places & Travel
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4.8 • 60 Ratings
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AFF on Air is the Australian Frequent Flyer travel podcast featuring tips, tricks and chat for Australian travellers. Keep up with the latest airline, aviation & loyalty program news and learn the best Qantas Frequent Flyer & Virgin Australia Velocity point hacks! Hosted by Australian Frequent Flyer editor Matt Graham, this free fortnightly podcast features interviews with experts from the travel industry.
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How to Fly to Australia Without Getting "Bumped"
With the Australian government's international arrival caps still in place, getting back to Australia from overseas remains a huge challenge. In this episode, travel agent Alan Lam (a.k.a. madrooster on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum) shares his tips and advice for Australians trying to return home without getting bumped from their flight.
Also in this episode, how to earn full points while paying tax with an American Express credit card and the latest frequent flyer & airline news.
Episode contents:
1:30 - Fortnightly news round-up
11:25 - Interview with Alan Lam about flying back to Australia during COVID-19
38:14 - How to earn full points for ATO payments with an American Express credit card
Links:
AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions
Alan's helpful AFF thread - Travelling to Australia During COVID-19
AFF thread - Sniip accepting Amex at same rate as Visa/Mastercard
Subscribe to the Frequent Flyer Gazette
Become an AFF Supporter
Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:
Price War: Virgin, Rex Sell $49 Sydney-Melbourne Flights
Qantas Catering Now Miles Ahead of Virgin Australia
Qantas & Virgin Add New Routes to Beach Destinations
Can You Get a Refund for Cancelled Domestic Flights?
Air Namibia Enters Liquidation
Air New Zealand Says It Doesn’t Have to Refund Cancelled Flights
Save up to 30,000 Qantas Points off The Ghan Journeys
The Epic 70-Day Bus Tour from Delhi to London -
Hotel Loyalty Programs
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 -
When Could "Normal" Travel Resume?
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 -
Domestic Borders Are Reopening
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 Chris Bournelis (a.k.a. AviatorInsight on AFF) who is now doing simulator training and flight checks ahead of returning to the skies later this month. Chris 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 Chris Bournelis
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 -
Earning Points for Paying Tax
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 -
Qantas Centenary
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
Customer Reviews
Good listening
Don’t fly a lot. Accumulate points via CC. But plenty of interest here and some good tips. Sometimes I wish Matt would just tell us what to do and not give so many options!
Informative and interesting
I love tuning in for this podcast. Such an interesting range of topics covered. Informative and insightful. The “beep beep” sound between topics is awesome - makes me feel like being on a plane again ... especially nice atm when I cannot be due to Covid!
Matt has such a soft and endearing voice it makes it a pleasure to listen to. Keep up the good work.
You are even answering questions that I didn’t know I had!
Thanks Matt, I am really enjoying these podcasts. I look forward to every second Saturday when I can listen to this podcast. Each week is different but equally enjoyable. Highly recommend this to any travel tragics like me!