AFF on AIR Podcas‪t‬ Matt Graham - Australian Frequent Flyer Editor

 



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

 



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 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

 



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