Travel Pointers

Episode 24 - Airport Lounges + Air New Zealand’s Loyalty Program

In episode 24 of the Travel Pointers podcast, Matt Graham chats to LoungePair CEO Daniel Kinnoch for a behind-the-scenes look at the world of airport lounges!
Everyone loves to start off their trip with a visit to a great airport lounge - and if you don't already have access through airline status, a lounge membership or your credit card, LoungePair can make that possible. Some airport lounges even over swimming pools!
Plus, Air New Zealand's loyalty program often gets a bad rap on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum. But in this episode, find out why there is some decent value to be found in Airpoints (soon to be renamed as "Koru") after all - especially if you live in New Zealand.
 
Here’s where you can find more information the topics discussed in this episode:
Qantas Introduces Dine on Demand in First Class
A Boyhood Dream Fulfilled: Space-Geek Tour of the USA (AFF Trip Report of the Year)
LoungePair Guide: Access Airport Lounges for Less
Complimentary LoungePair+ for AFF Platinum Members
Swim, Gym, Sauna & Shower at Melbourne Airport for $25

Episode 23 - The World’s Best Airlines + Why You Shouldn’t Ignore SkyTeam

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 23 of Travel Pointers! The pair discuss which are the world's best airlines, as well as their favourite picks - do you agree with their list?
Also, Australians often focus their attention on two of the three alliances: Oneworld and Star Alliance. Many people seem to forget that the SkyTeam alliance exists – but it’s for exactly that reason that it could be worth your while to learn about it.
 
Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:
Qantas and Virgin Australia banning use of power banks
Last chance to transfer Amex points at current rates (15 Dec)
Earn Velocity status credits on distance flown with Virgin Australia Holidays 
Virgin Australia closing Sydney premium lounge entry 
Burgers are now served in the Qantas Business lounge in Sydney
Jetstar flyers can earn more Qantas Points and bonus status credits each year with a Qantas Frequent Flyer Extra subscription
Qantas will improve downgrade compensation policy for customers on Classic Reward tickets
Cathay banning changes to frequent flyer numbers online or over the phone
Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:
What are your favourite airlines? Let us know in this thread!
Matt's 5 favourite airlines
Stephen's 5 favourite airlines
How to access the AFF discount on Qantas Club memberships

Episode 22 - Amex Membership Rewards Changes

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 22 of Travel Pointers!
Next month, American Express will make big changes to its Membership Rewards program. The transfer rates to many overseas airline programs will get devalued, and there are also a couple of changes to transfer partners that are available. 
In this episode, we’ll discuss what’s changing and the best ways to use your Amex points, especially if you want to transfer them out before the upcoming devaluation. 
Even if you don’t have Amex points, you might find this discussion useful as we’ll talk about the ways Australians can redeem points with overseas frequent flyer programs. 
Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:
Qantas introducing Economy Plus
Qantas announces Sydney International Business Lounge upgrade plans
The price of Qantas Club membership is increasing - get a discount with Gold and Platinum AFF memberships
Air New Zealand renaming Airpoints to Koru, introducing a new Black tier
Qatar Airways now charges seat selection fees on reward tickets
Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:
American Express Membership Rewards changes
Qantas vs Velocity status comparison
AFF's membership changes

Episode 21 - What Makes a Great Airport + Our Favourites

What makes a great airport? In Travel Pointers Episode 21, Matt and Wilson chat about their favourite airports around Australia and the world, why they like them, and some of the best features of different airports that you might not have even known existed.
 
Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:
Velocity members can no longer book United long-haul (including trans-Pacific) Business Class awards
You can now earn Qantas points and status credits on eligible Oman Air flights
Jetstar is moving to Singapore Airport Terminal 2
KrisFlyer has adjusted its award chart on November 1
You can now earn 110 Qantas status credits on the ground, if you registered by 31 October 2025.
Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:
Sign up to the Australian Frequent Flyer Gazette
Share your favourite airport and the reasons why!
 

Episode 20 - The Million Mile Craze

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.
Show note links
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

Episode 19 - KrisFlyer in Australia: Interview with Udhara de Silva

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

Episode 18 - What Makes a Good Hotel Loyalty 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 

Episode 17 - Premium Economy on Emirates

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

Episode 16 - AFF Point Valuations

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

Episode 15 - What the RBA Changes Will Really Mean For Your Credit Card Points

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