Episodes

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is having an unprecedented impact on the travel industry – and the world in general. Thousands of flights have been cancelled, travel bans are being introduced and millions have had their travel plans disrupted. In this episode, Matt takes a detailed look at what this all means for travellers. Episode contents: 1:33 – Fortnightly news round-up 10:57 – COVID-19 and its impact on travel 15:13 – Should we be avoiding overseas travel right now? 28:20 – Changi...

Qantas Frequent Flyer surprised everybody this week by releasing a new Qantas Double Status Credits offer! In this episode, travel agent extraordinaire Alan Lam from Netwave Travel (a.k.a. “madrooster” on AFF) joins Matt to discuss the best Qantas status credit runs, as well as recent changes to the popular Finnair Business class round-the-world fares. You can contact Alan by email: alan [at] netwavetravel [dot] com. Episode contents: 0:44 – Fortnightly news round-up 7:53 – Interview with Al...

Buffalo Airways is not your typical airline. Based in Yellowknife, Canada, Buffalo Airways operates an incredible variety of historic aircraft such as the Douglas DC3 in some of the world’s harshest flying conditions. It’s no wonder Buffalo Airways was the subject of the popular television show Ice Pilots NWT. In this episode, Matt sits down with Buffalo Airways pilot Viktor Babcan in Toulouse, France. Toulouse also happens to be the home of Airbus and is where Airbus manufactures its Airbus A38...

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a road warrior, flying from Melbourne to Sydney every week or internationally multiple times each month? On this episode, AFF member “Sprucegoose” – a Qantas Platinum One frequent flyer – joins Matt to discuss the ins & outs of frequent travel, from airline lounges to tackling jetlag. Episode contents: 1:06 – Fortnightly news round-up 9:07 – Earning points through credit card churning 13:35 – Interview with “Sprucegoose” 40:23 – Feedback on epic train jour...

In this episode, we take a brief detour from the aviation discussion to talk about train travel! There’s something nice – perhaps even romantic – about long-distance train travel. Around the world there are lots of famous train journeys such as the Orient Express and Trans-Siberian Railway, but there are also a couple of famous trips right here in Australia. This episode features an interview with an AFF member who has just completed one of them; the Indian Pacific train from Perth to Sydney. E...

If you’re a little bit short of the next airline status tier, a status run can get you over the line. In this episode, learn about the best status runs with Virgin Australia, Qantas and the three major alliances. This episode also includes the latest frequent flyer news and an extended interview with AFF moderator JessicaTam about her incredible British Airways status run. Episode contents: 1:00 – Fortnightly news round-up 8:16 – Status runs 14:19 – Interview with JessicaTam 36:13 – Ask Leo...

Many Australians join Qantas Frequent Flyer by default. But even if you fly with Qantas regularly, you could benefit by using the British Airways Executive Club frequent flyer program instead. In this episode, Matt also discusses the new Uber Rewards loyalty program, earning Qantas points for Uber rides and a bizarre experience using Uber in India. Episode contents: 0:53 – Fortnightly news round-up 9:00 – Why British Airways Executive Club could be a good alternative to Qantas Frequent Flyer ...

Airlines seem to love married segments, but for frequent flyers and travel agents they can be extremely frustrating. Sometimes you’ll find an award seat on a flight you want to book, only to find that it’s not actually available if you add on a connecting flight to your final destination. Married segments are also why airlines will sometimes charge a higher amount if you remove one or more flights from a booking! In this episode, Alan Lam (a.k.a. madrooster) joins Matt to explain what traveller...

The Historic Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) boasts a collection of over 60 aircraft, including a retired Qantas 747, Super Constellation and DC-3s. John Travolta’s Boeing 707 will also soon be added to the museum at Illawara Regional Airport, which is open daily to the public. In this episode, Matt chats to HARS President Bob de la Hunty. Also in this episode, the latest frequent flyer news and the plan to get rid of Melbourne Airport’s taxi touts. Episode contents: 1:01 – Fortnightly new...

Earlier this year, German airline Lufthansa tried to sue a passenger that exploited the loophole of hidden-city ticketing by skipping the last flight on their ticket. This case has now finally be resolved in the German courts, and in a victory for frequent flyers, the airline did not win. In this episode Matt chats to Dr Matthias Böse, the lawyer who defended this fascinating case against Lufthansa in the German courts. Episode contents: 1:05 – Fortnightly news round-up 6:05 – Introducing the...

Qantas and Virgin Australia are fighting over two rare and lucrative new landing slots for Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. Meanwhile, four European airlines have gone bankrupt in a matter of weeks as this year’s European summer draws to a close. Speaking of summer in Europe, you won’t want to miss this fortnight’s interview with Bronwyn Turner from Award Flight Assist as she explains how to redeem your frequent flyer points and find award availability from Australia to Europe during the peak European su...

The ACCC recently released a damning draft report into Australian loyalty schemes, calling out practices that it says may shock consumers and putting loyalty program operators on notice. In this episode, Matt chats to airline loyalty and data expert Mark Ross-Smith about the ACCC’s findings and recommendations. This interview covers topics including data privacy, the expiration and devaluation of frequent flyer points, carrier charges and much more. Episode contents: 1:09 – Fortnightly news ro...

With less than two weeks until the upcoming Qantas Frequent Flyer changes, now is the time to make any last-minute Classic Flight Reward bookings! In this episode, Matt chats to Leon Loganathan about the process of redeeming Qantas points for a Onweworld Award. This episode also includes a segment on the important role of regional aviation, with a focus on a regional airline in New Zealand that does a particularly good job of serving its local communities. Episode contents: 0:53 – Fortnightly ...

Later this year, Qantas will decide which aircraft it will use to operate non-stop flights from the east coast of Australia to London and New York – a feat it aims to achieve by 2022. In this episode, learn more about the mission Qantas is namimg “Project Sunrise”. This episode also includes an interview with AFF moderator “Princess Fiona” about Qantas Platinum One status, mid-air medical emergencies, and more. Episode contents: 1:00 – Fortnightly news round-up 5:42 – Qantas Project Sunrise ...

If you’re new to the world of frequent flyer points – or moving to a new country – it can be difficult to know where to start. In this episode, Matt discusses the considerations involved in selecting a new frequent flyer program. Also, you now have just over a month left to redeem your Qantas points before upgrades and premium cabin awards become more expensive. Episode contents: 0:56 – Fortnightly news round-up 6:25 – Ask Matt: Should I stick to Qantas and/or Velocity Frequent Flyer when mov...

They say that if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel! In this episode, Matt chats to James Green about the importance of travel insurance, and what to look out for when purchasing or claiming on a travel insurance policy. Also, ever wondered what goes into an airline safety video? This episode includes some of the world’s best and worst airline safety demonstration videos. Episode contents: 0:58 – Fortnightly news round-up 4:52 – Airline safety videos 10:54 – Interv...

Learn how to fly around the world using your Qantas Frequent Flyer points as Matt chats to James Green, an award travel consultant at Frequent Flyer Solutions. This episode also includes the latest frequent flyer news and discussion on redeeming Alaska Airlines miles. Episode contents: 0:45 – Fortnightly news round-up 4:10 – Interview with James Green 38:52 – Ask Matt: Redeeming Alaska Airlines miles to the USA Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the pod...

Last week, Qantas announced a major shake-up to its Qantas Frequent Flyer program. In this episode, former Head of Loyalty at Malaysia Airlines, Mark Ross-Smith, joins Matt to discuss the changes, why Qantas announced them and what this all means for frequent flyers. Episode contents: 1:05 – Fortnightly news round-up 4:07 – Overview of Qantas Frequent Flyer program changes 8:48 – Status challenges (upcoming webinar) 10:38 – Interview with Mark Ross-Smith – changes to Qantas award availabili...

In this special edition of the podcast, Matt chats to John Bartels (a.k.a. jb747) about his flying career with Qantas, the A380, the QF30 incident, flight training, retirement, today’s aviation industry and more. John is a former Qantas Airbus A380 captain and remains an active contributor to AFF’s popular Ask The Pilot thread. Episode contents: 1:00 – Fortnightly news round-up 7:20 – Interview with John Bartels – getting started in aviation 17:37 – Interview with John Bartels – discussion a...

Find out how to get cut-price Virgin Australia Business Class tickets by buying and redeeming Etihad Guest miles! This episode also includes some listener Q&A and an interview with Lance Chow, an award travel consultant at Frequent Flyer Solutions. Episode contents: 0:59 – Fortnightly news round-up 8:15 – Buying Etihad Guest miles for cheap Virgin Australia flights 15:06 – Ask Matt – tips on earning and redeeming points, upgrades & more 24:08 – Interview with Lance Chow 36:19 – The dumbest...

Find out how to easily earn Star Alliance Gold status with several different frequent flyer programs! This episode also includes an interview with John Blom, Australia’s top tennis umpire and a lifetime Diamond Plus member of Asiana Club. Episode contents: 0:57 – Fortnightly news round-up 4:53 – Interview with John Blom – travelling for tennis 11:23 – Interview with John Blom – Asiana Club frequent flyer program 23:06 – Shortcuts to Star Alliance Gold status 32:42 – Why transferring CommBa...

Premium Economy is a great compromise if you want a more comfortable experience than Economy, without paying for Business or First class airfares! In this episode, AFF’s favourite travel agent Alan Lam (a.k.a. madrooster on AFF) joins Matt to discuss the pros & cons of Premium Economy and which airlines to use when flying Premium Economy to Europe or North America. Matt and Alan also discuss the upcoming British Airways Executive Club program changes. Episode contents: 0:49 – Fortnightly news ...

Frequent flyer points are a valuable currency, but they aren’t immune from hyperinflation! In this episode, Matt discusses why frequent flyer points are a terrible long-term investment. This episode also includes an interview with Darwin-based frequent flyer Leon Loganathan about redeeming Alaska Airlines miles, Marriott Bonvoy, Emirates First Class, the Qantas call centre, the Northern Territory and more. Episode contents: 1:00 – Fortnightly news round-up 5:47 – Why frequent flyer points are...

Matt discusses SkyTeam (the forgotten alliance) and how you can gain elite status with SkyTeam for free. This episode also includes an interview with AFF moderator Lindsay, a.k.a. “QF WP” about travel, the Concorde, AFF acronyms and more. Episode contents: 0:50 – Fortnightly news round-up 4:41 – Delta’s SkyTeam status match challenge 11:32 – Interview with “QF WP” 27:47 – The devaluations are coming Links: Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated “Ask Matt” thread AFF on Air Discussi...