AFF on AIR Podcast Matt Graham - Australian Frequent Flyer Editor

 

Learn why airline award charts are the key to maximising your frequent flyer points, as Matt shares some of the most incredible frequent flyer redemptions he's seen during his years of covering and using points.

Plus, COVID-19 travel restrictions are coming down across northern Asia as Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong reopen their borders to tourists.

 



Episode contents:



1:04 - Fortnightly news round-up

13:18 - The best ever award chart sweet spots and loopholes

24:23 - Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan are reopening to overseas tourists

27:11 - Listener feedback - Overcast podcast platform

28:07 - Listener feedback - Matt on the Points of View podcast

29:21 - Listener feedback - Booking a KrisFlyer round-the-world award



 



Links:



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

Qantas Award Flights Were Incredible Value in the 1990s

Japan is Fully Reopening to Tourists!



 



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



What Virgin Atlantic Joining SkyTeam Means for Australians

RwandAir to Join Oneworld Alliance

Why International Flights Are So Expensive Right Now

No Seats Available on Jetstar to Bali For Next 3 Weeks

Velocity Teases More Partner Airline Benefits

More Airlines Give Status Credits for Environmental Contributions

When Qatar Airways Releases Seats for Qantas Points Bookings

Qantas Ending COVID Flexibility on Reward Bookings

Flybuys Considering Switch to Qantas Points?

Malaysia Airlines Offers Bonus Domestic Side Trip

Upgraded SkyTeam Lounge Opens in Sydney

Velocity to Introduce Carrier Charges on Singapore Airlines

 

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