102 episodes

AFF on Air is the Australian Frequent Flyer travel podcast featuring tips, tricks and chat for Australian travellers. Keep up with the latest airline, aviation & loyalty program news and learn the best Qantas Frequent Flyer & Virgin Australia Velocity point hacks! Hosted by Australian Frequent Flyer editor Matt Graham, this free fortnightly podcast features interviews with experts from the travel industry.

AFF on AIR Podcast Matt Graham - Australian Frequent Flyer Editor

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.5 • 2 Ratings

AFF on Air is the Australian Frequent Flyer travel podcast featuring tips, tricks and chat for Australian travellers. Keep up with the latest airline, aviation & loyalty program news and learn the best Qantas Frequent Flyer & Virgin Australia Velocity point hacks! Hosted by Australian Frequent Flyer editor Matt Graham, this free fortnightly podcast features interviews with experts from the travel industry.

    Airline Alliances with Mark Ross-Smith

    Airline Alliances with Mark Ross-Smith

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







    Frequent Flyer Solutions webinars









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









    Qantas Tightens Lounge Guest Eligibility







    Velocity’s New Peak & Off-Peak Reward Seat Pricing







    Ola Waves Goodbye to Velocity Partnership







    Qantas to Introduce Boarding Groups







    Qantas Launches Free Wifi on Select International Flights







    Virgin Australia Introduces Real-Time Baggage Tracking







    Rex Expands Jet Network to Hobart







    ACCC Backs Flight Delay Compensation Scheme in Australia







    Woolworths Devalues Everyday Extra







    Great BA Premium & Business Award Availability to Singapore







    Huge Qantas International Network Expansion in 2023







    Qantas to Lease Finnair A330s for Singapore, Bangkok Flights







    Batik Air Malaysia to Fly Perth-Auckland







    Virgin to Fly Boeing 737-700s to Tokyo

    • 1 hr 4 min
    Tonga's First Female Airline Pilot

    Tonga's First Female Airline Pilot

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







    Book: 'Island Girl to Airline Pilot' by Silva McLeod







    Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar - Avios for Aussies (8pm AEST on 25 May 2023)









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









    United Expands Service to Australia & New Zealand







    How to Fly Emirates Premium Economy in 2023







    Free Singapore Transit Tours Are Back







    ING Bank Removes Overseas ATM Fee Rebates







    British Airways Increasing Avios Subscription Prices







    Qantas’ Melbourne First Class Check-in Suite to Reopen







    Transfer Points to Velocity for a 15% Bonus (May 2023)







    Virgin Australia Extends Middle Seat Lottery

    • 57 min
    The History of AFF

    The History of AFF

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







    A little bit of moderation in Dubai. (historical trip report from 2013)







    A Brief History of Qantas Frequent Flyer









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









    Fiji Airways Launches Canberra-Nadi Route







    Hilton Honors Status Match Challenge







    UK Air Passenger Duty: How to Avoid Paying Hundreds







    Qatar Airways Quietly Extends Privilege Club Tiers (Again)







    Last Chance to Earn Qantas Points with Quandoo

    • 38 min
    Bonza Launches Flights in Australia + Qantas Double Status Credits

    Bonza Launches Flights in Australia + Qantas Double Status Credits

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







    Matt's Bonza flight review







    Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar - Everyone Loves an Upgrade (29 March 2023)







    Make the Most of Qantas’ New Double Status Credits Offer







    "oneworld" award (132.4K/249.6K/318K/455K) Planning - The Definitive Thread









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









    Buy & Redeem Virgin Atlantic Points for SkyTeam Flights







    Qantas Expands China Airlines Redemptions Beyond Taipei







    Emirates Restores Melbourne-Singapore Connection







    Virgin Australia Business Flyer Status Match







    Qantas Fixes Ongoing Reward Flight Ticketing Failures







    These Are Etihad Guest’s New Award Charts







    New International Lounge Opens at Adelaide Airport







    Qantas Invests in New & Upgraded Lounges







    New KrisFlyer Round-the-World Award Booking Service Fee







    Citibank Cards End Emirates Skywards Transfers







    Croatia is Now Part of the Schengen Area







    Qatar’s New Mandatory Travel Insurance Requirement







    Earn 250 Status Credits or 30,000 Extra Points with a Velocity Credit Card

    • 44 min
    Where's All The Award Availability?

    Where's All The Award Availability?

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



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



    Qantas A330s Bound for Bali Over Summer

    Singapore Airlines Releases First Saver Awards to Melbourne

    Fly to South Africa via Paradise for $3,545 Return in Business Class

    Beware of Virgin’s All-Economy 737s and A320s

    Qantas Club Reopens in Rockhampton

    You Can Now Convert Cathay Asia Miles to Marriott Points

    • 31 min
    Air Canada's Underrated Frequent Flyer Program

    Air Canada's Underrated Frequent Flyer Program

    In this episode, find out why Air Canada's Aeroplan program deserves more attention from Australian frequent flyers! Plus, learn how to supercharge your Coles Flybuys and Woolworths Everyday Rewards points.





    Episode contents:



    0:59 - Fortnightly news round-up

    12:43 - Air Canada's Aeroplan program

    23:00 - New Star Alliance credit card

    27:09 - How to supercharge your Flybuys and Everyday Rewards points



    Links:



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

    Air Canada Aeroplan Adds Two Unique Airline Partners

    New HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card in Australia

    Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar - "Air Canada Aeroplan: A Hidden Gem" (23 November 2022)

    Flybuys Hacks to Earn More Flights for Shopping at Coles



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



    Does Australia Need EU-Style Air Passenger Protections?

    Qatar Airways’ Bizarre Daily Melbourne-Adelaide Flight

    Australia-USA Flights at 50% of Pre-COVID Capacity

    How Finnair Is Reinventing Its Business Model

    T’Way Air Launching Sydney-Seoul Flights

    Use Qantas Points to Fly on Bangkok Airways

    Jetstar Moving to Terminal 4 in Singapore

    • 34 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
2 Ratings

2 Ratings

Matt Moffitt ,

Very informative podcast!

Topics are interesting. News is timely. Host is warm and accessible. Well done!

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