AFF on AIR Podcast

Have you ever wondered how airline alliances or hotel loyalty programs work behind the scenes? In this episode, Matt is joined by an expert in loyalty programs, former Malaysia Airlines Enrich CEO and current StatusMatch.com CEO Mark Ross-Smith for a chat about the world of airline alliances. Find out what airlines need to do in order to join an airline alliance such as Oneworld, Star Alliance or SkyTeam, the pros & cons for airlines, and what happens if an airline wants to leave an alliance. The discussion also covers priority boarding, Qantas lifetime status, the strange relationship between Qantas and Qatar Airways, the latest airline status matching trends, and more! Episode contents: * 1:29 – Fortnightly news round-up * 11:41 – Interview with Mark Ross-Smith Links: * AFF on Air Discussion thread [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/threads/aff-on-air-discussion-thread.92436/] – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions * Frequent Flyer Solutions webinars [https://frequentflyer.com.au/member/webinars/] Frequent Flyer Gazette [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/aff-gazette/] articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: * Qantas Tightens Lounge Guest Eligibility [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-tightens-lounge-guest-eligibility/] * Velocity’s New Peak & Off-Peak Reward Seat Pricing [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/velocity-off-peak-reward-seat-pricing/] * Ola Waves Goodbye to Velocity Partnership [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/ola-waves-goodbye-velocity-partnership/] * Qantas to Introduce Boarding Groups [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-boarding-groups/] * Qantas Launches Free Wifi on Select International Flights [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-wifi-select-international-flights/] * Virgin Australia Introduces Real-Time Baggage Tracking [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/virgin-baggage-tracking/] * Rex Expands Jet Network to Hobart [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/rex-expands-jet-network-to-hobart/] * ACCC Backs Flight Delay Compensation Scheme in Australia [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/accc-australia-flight-compensation-scheme/] * Woolworths Devalues Everyday Extra [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/woolworths-devalues-everyday-extra/] * Great BA Premium & Business Award Availability to Singapore [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/ba-premium-business-availability-singapore/] * Huge Qantas International Network Expansion in 2023 [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-expands-international-network-2023/] * Qantas to Lease Finnair A330s for Singapore, Bangkok Flights [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-finnair-a330-lease/] * Batik Air Malaysia to Fly Perth-Auckland [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/batik-air-malaysia-perth-auckland/] * Virgin to Fly Boeing 737-700s to Tokyo [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/virgin-boeing-737-700-tokyo/]

Matt sits down for an extended interview by Silva McLeod, Tonga’s first ever female airline pilot. After flying for Royal Tongan Airlines, Silva went on to fly in Auatralia for Aeropelican, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and ultimately Virgin Blue, which became Virgin Australia. But the journey from island girl to airline pilot, as Silva tells in her new book, wasn’t an easy one. Also in this episode, it’s become easier to get to Hawaii with Velocity Frequent Flyer points. Episode contents: * 1:22 – Fortnightly news round-up * 7:22 – Interview with Silva McLeod * 52:12 – Redeeming Velocity points for Hawaiian Airlines flights * 54:58 – Why Avios are useful for Australians Links: * AFF on Air Discussion thread [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/threads/aff-on-air-discussion-thread.92436/] – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions * Book: ‘Island Girl to Airline Pilot’ by Silva McLeod [https://exislepublishing.com/product/island-girl-to-airline-pilot/] * Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar [https://frequentflyer.com.au/member/webinar-registration-53/] – Avios for Aussies (8pm AEST on 25 May 2023) Frequent Flyer Gazette [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/aff-gazette/] articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: * United Expands Service to Australia & New Zealand [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/united-expands-service-australia-new-zealand/] * How to Fly Emirates Premium Economy in 2023 [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/emirates-premium-economy/] * Free Singapore Transit Tours Are Back [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/singapore-free-transit-tours/] * ING Bank Removes Overseas ATM Fee Rebates [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/ing-bank-removes-overseas-atm-fee-rebates/] * British Airways Increasing Avios Subscription Prices [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/british-airways-increasing-avios-prices/] * Qantas’ Melbourne First Class Check-in Suite to Reopen [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-melbourne-first-check-in-reopens/] * Transfer Points to Velocity for a 15% Bonus (May 2023) [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/velocity-transfer-bonus-may-2023/] * Virgin Australia Extends Middle Seat Lottery [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/virgin-australia-middle-seat-lottery/]

It’s our 100th episode! To celebrate, we’re taking a look back at the history of Australian Frequent Flyer forum, which this year will turn 25 years old. This episode features interviews with AFF’s founder Clifford Reichlin and one of the original forum moderators, Lindsay Wilson (QF WP). Today, AFF has over 60,000 members – but Lindsay was the third person to ever join. Episode contents: * 1:10 – Fortnightly news round-up * 4:59 – Interview with Clifford Reichlin, the founder of AFF * 19:29 – Interview with Lindsay Wilson (a.k.a. forum moderator “QF WP”) * 33:31 – We’re opening the AFF archives * 35:20 – Happy 100th episode! Links: * AFF on Air Discussion thread [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/threads/aff-on-air-discussion-thread.92436/] – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions * A little bit of moderation in Dubai. [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/threads/a-little-bit-of-moderation-in-dubai.48806/] (historical trip report from 2013) * A Brief History of Qantas Frequent Flyer [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-frequent-flyer-history/] Frequent Flyer Gazette [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/aff-gazette/] articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: * Fiji Airways Launches Canberra-Nadi Route * Hilton Honors Status Match Challenge [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/hilton-honors-status-match/] * UK Air Passenger Duty: How to Avoid Paying Hundreds [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/air-passenger-duty/] * Qatar Airways Quietly Extends Privilege Club Tiers (Again) [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qatar-airways-status-extension-2023/] * Last Chance to Earn Qantas Points with Quandoo [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/last-chance-qantas-points-quandoo/]

The AFF on Air podcast is back! While we were taking a summer break, a brand new airline called Bonza launched flights in the Australian market. In this episode, Matt chats to the CEO of Bonza Tim Jordan to find out what’s involved in starting a new airline in Australia, how the launch has been going, why the airline doesn’t offer website bookings and what’s next for Bonza’s route network. Also in this episode: Qantas has released a new Double Status Credits offer, and how to be notified when airlines release new reward seats. Episode contents: * 1:05 – Fortnightly news round-up * 10:31 – Interview with Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza * 34:19 – Qantas’ latest “double status credits” offer * 38:46 – Listener question: How to get alerted when airlines release new award availability Links: * AFF on Air Discussion thread [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/threads/aff-on-air-discussion-thread.92436/] – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions * Matt’s Bonza flight review [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/bonza-review/] * Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar [https://frequentflyer.com.au/member/webinar-registration/] – Everyone Loves an Upgrade (29 March 2023) * Make the Most of Qantas’ New Double Status Credits Offer [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-new-double-status-credits-offer-march-2023/] * “oneworld” award (132.4K/249.6K/318K/455K) Planning – The Definitive Thread [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/threads/oneworld-award-132-4k-249-6k-318k-455k-planning-the-definitive-thread.8228/] Frequent Flyer Gazette [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/aff-gazette/] articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: * Buy & Redeem Virgin Atlantic Points for SkyTeam Flights [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/buy-virgin-atlantic-points/] * Qantas Expands China Airlines Redemptions Beyond Taipei [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/redeem-qantas-points-china-airlines-beyond-tapei/] * Emirates Restores Melbourne-Singapore Connection [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/emirates-melbourne-singapore/] * Virgin Australia Business Flyer Status Match [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/virgin-australia-business-flyer-status-match/] * Qantas Fixes Ongoing Reward Flight Ticketing Failures [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-fix-ticketing-failures/] * These Are Etihad Guest’s New Award Charts [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/etihad-guest-new-award-chart/] * New International Lounge Opens at Adelaide Airport [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/new-international-lounge-adelaide-airport/] * Qantas Invests in New & Upgraded Lounges [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-invests-new-upgraded-lounges/] * New KrisFlyer Round-the-World Award Booking Service Fee [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/new-krisflyer-rtw-service-fee/] * Citibank Cards End Emirates Skywards Transfers [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/credit-cards/citibank-ends-skywards-transfers/] * Croatia is Now Part of the Schengen Area [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/croatia-schengen-2023/] * Qatar’s New Mandatory Travel Insurance Requirement [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qatar-travel-insurance-requirement/] * Earn 250 Status Credits or 30,000 Extra Points with a Velocity Credit Card [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/velocity-card-exclusive-benefit-2023/]

Struggling to redeem your frequent flyer points for flights? Matt chats to James Green from Award Flight Assist about the current situation with Qantas, Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines award availability out of Australia. If you want to redeem your frequent flyer points to book an overseas trip, find out where to look for seats in this podcast. Episode contents: * 0:56 – Fortnightly news round-up * 7:26 – Interview with James Green * 28:30 – An update on Qantas Classic Reward seat availability Links: * AFF on Air Discussion thread [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/threads/aff-on-air-discussion-thread.92436/] – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Frequent Flyer Gazette [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/aff-gazette/] articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: * Qantas A330s Bound for Bali Over Summer [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-a330s-bali-bound-summer/] * Singapore Airlines Releases First Saver Awards to Melbourne [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/singapore-airlines-first-saver-melbourne/] * Fly to South Africa via Paradise for $3,545 Return in Business Class [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/south-africa-via-paradise-aeroplan/] * Beware of Virgin’s All-Economy 737s and A320s [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/virgin-australia-all-economy-737/] * Qantas Club Reopens in Rockhampton [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-club-reopens-in-rockhampton/] * You Can Now Convert Cathay Asia Miles to Marriott Points [https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/convert-asia-miles-to-marriott-points/]