Since SAS launched a promo last year offering a million frequent flyer points to members who flew with 15 SkyTeam partner airlines, many other airlines have launched copycat promos. Are these offers worthwhile, and would something similar work in Australia? Matt and Wilson discuss this, and lots more, in the latest episode of Travel Pointers!

Note: since this episode was recoreded, Velocity have announced extra benefits for Platinum Plus members.

Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:

• Velocity's changes to status
• Qantas' new A321 XLR
• Qantas announces new partnership with David Jones
• Chile removes visa requirements for Australians
• ALL Accor Plus rebrands as ALL Accor+ Explorer
• Qantas and Malaysia Airlines announce codeshare agreement
• Virgin Australia introduces neighbour-free seating

Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:

• AFF's 18th annual member gathering in Melbourne
• SAS 'Eurobonus Millionaire' promotion

Join Matt Graham and special guest Udhara de Silva, the head of Loyalty Marketing & Strategy for Singapore Airlines in Australia, for episode 19 of Travel Pointers!

In this podcast episode, Matt and Udhara discuss how Singapore Airlines and KrisFlyer manage to compete in Australia against two very dominant local players. They also talk about the upcoming KrisFlyer program changes, Kris+, KrisFlyer's hard three-year mileage expiration policy, and some of the ways you can earn bonus KrisFlyer miles in Australia right now.

Finally, later in this episode, Matt follows up on some AFF member feedback from our last episode on hotel loyalty programs.

Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:

• Amex Membership Rewards program devaluation
• Qantas quietly devalues Classic Plus redemptions
• Cashrewards suddenly closes down
• Lufthansa City Airlines joins Star Alliance
• Jetstar getting Business Class on its A321XLRs

Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:

• AFF's Meetings & Social Events forum
• Updates to the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 18 of Travel Pointers!

In Travel Pointers Episode 18, Matt and Wilson discuss what makes a good hotel loyalty program. The pair talk about our favourite programs, why they like them, and how you can make the most of them.

Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:

• Qantas removing points option from loyalty bonus from 15 September
• Qantas extending flights to Palau for another year
• Qantas has resumed giving free upgrades to Platinum members
• KrisFlyer award chart changes

Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:

• AFF's webinars
• My IHG One Rewards status strategy
• My excellent experience with Radisson Rewards status
• Accor Plus guide

In Travel Pointers Episode 17, Matt and Wilson chat about Emirates' Premium Economy cabin, and their experience onboard. It looks really nice in photos, but what is it really like?

The pair also chat about Premium Economy more broadly, and why airlines are more and more keen to add a Premium Economy cabin.

Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:

• Air Canada Aeroplan moves to spend-based status
• KrisFlyer introduces a fixed award chart for Scoot
• Qantas has been fined an extra $90 million for illegally sacking ground staff during the pandemic
• QantasLink will fly from Perth to Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands, taking over from Virgin Australia
• Commbank cuts the vast majority of its transfer partners
• You can now use Qantas Points to upgrade on American Airlines
• Accor Plus is rebranding to Accor+ Explorer, with changes

Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:

• Matt's article on footnets
• Cheap strategies for Business Class to Europe
• AFF Melbourne 2025 Gathering

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 16 of Travel Pointers!

In Travel Pointers Episode 16, Matt and Wilson explain the winners and losers of the AFF Point Valuations.

After months spent building a detailed model to calculate the average value of a frequent flyer point, AFF has released its first ever Frequent Flyer Point Valuations! Wilson and I developed this model together; we’ll explain exactly how the model works, which frequent flyer programs came out on top, which flopped, and why.

The pair also chat about AFF's brand new look!

Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:

• Qantas boosts points earnings for domestic flights and for those flying premium cabins with status
• Qantas enables Wi-Fi on Trans-Tasman flights
• Velocity introduces trials of Platinum Plus ahead of October changes to status calculation

Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:

• AFF point valuations
• AFF's brand new look and logo
• The Trip Report thread

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 15 of Travel Pointers!

Last week, the Reserve Bank of Australia announced reforms to Australian credit card fees which could have some unintended consequences when it comes to earning frequent flyer points in Australia. We’ll talk about these proposals in this Travel Pointers episode.

Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:

• Qantas will raise domestic change & cancellation fees on 30 July 2025
• Qantas devalues Green Tier
• Live music features in the Sydney Qantas Club
• Cathay Pacific announces changes to Asia Miles and status point earn rates
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club introduces Avios subscriptions (Privilege Club Pro)

Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:

• RBA proposes changes to interchange fees
• AFF annual gathering in Melbourne on 21-23 November 2025
• AFF thread on obtaining a US AMEX card

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 14 of Travel Pointers!

Sorry we missed last month, but we're back to our regular schedule!

In Travel Pointers Episode 14, Matt and Wilson discuss Qantas' new A321 XLR and what it's like flying long-haul on narrow-body aircraft. They also chat about the routes they took from Europe to Australia.

Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:

• Qantas gets hit with a cyber attack, compromising around 6 million people's data
• Oman Air joins Oneworld
• Qantas and Hawaiian Airlines launch new partnership
• Velocity re-opens redemptions on Hainan Airlines, Capital Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines
• Jetstar Asia will cease operations from 31 July 2025
• LATAM removes Sydney-Auckland fifth-freedom route
• China Eastern announces Auckland-Buenos Aires fifth-freedom flights

Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:

• Upcoming webinar about fifth-freedom routes, on 15 July 2025
• Matt's review of TAP Air Portugal A321neo LR Economy Class
• Thread: Would you fly at a less convenient time to get a nicer plane?

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 13 of Travel Pointers!

In this episode, Matt and Wilson talk all about Avios, the valuable points used by 7 different frequent flyer programs. They'll discuss what they are, how you can earn them in Australia – and most importantly, how to use them for maximum benefit.

If you want to learn more about earning and redeeming Avios, you may also be interested in AFF's upcoming webinar on Thursday 12 June 2025.

Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:

• Cathay Pacific launches Adelaide-Hong Kong flights
• Qantas announces Adelaide-Auckland flights, opens new Domestic Business Class lounge in Adelaide
• Qantas to refurbish its Sydney International Business Class lounge
• Skytrans taking over Sydney-Lord Howe Island route from QantasLink
• Westpac changes earn rates on some cards, ANZ increases sign-up exclusion period

Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:

• Overview of Avios transfer partnerships
• Upcoming 12 June webinar on Avios
• Finnair A350 Premium Economy review
• Guide to AFF memberships