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Now that Microsoft is about to shutdown Skype , many of us that have used Skype to call Internationally to Airline call centres, banks, hotels will need a reliable high quality service that has zero or minimal charges. I need to select something pretty soon, as I will need to book a few complex itineraries with Aeroplan and BA in a few weeks. Looking forward to hearing what others are using.

Waiver Policies Qantas: Virgin Australia: JetStar: Bureau of Meterology - Cyclone Alfred Latest forecast track:

I haven't bothered with an International Driving Licence for, oh, 30 years or so and thought they were irrelevant these days with photo national drivers licences. But reading this story from OMaaT, maybe they are still required for car hire in some places. Looks like Japan is a definite one. https://onemileatatime.com/international-driving-permit/ What countries have you been positively asked for an International Drivers Licence when hiring a car?

Attached. Better than nothing, however updating early 2000 build 737s in 2027 isn’t great planning. I really wish they did this last decade. On the technical front, I can’t say I’ve seen any operator upgrade 737-800s with new bins, walls. I know Delta did something with its old A320 fleet, not seen a 737 done like this, could be a first. The additional investment to improve the flying experience for Qantas customers on existing aircraft will see 42 of the airline’s 737 aircraft receive...

Vietnam Airlines have great deals on PE from France, so I booked a one-way ticket today from Toulouse to Sydney via Paris for $2,153.71, Premium Economy Classic. This does involve a long stopover in Vietnam. Two options, flying via Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, same price. 13 hour layover if going via Ho Chi Minh City, 17 hours if going via Hanoi. But they offer extremely good Vietnam Transit Tours which was part of the attraction, a day in either of those cities with personal tour, hotel...

Probably won’t come as a surprise to many on here, but the average person travelling in business class is apparently now younger, and less likely to be male or a corporate traveller. The article also notes that there are now more children and families in business class, and speculates as to the reasons. Have you noticed this shift over the past decade or two? https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/travel/how-business-class-has-changed-since-flat-beds-first-appeared-20241009-p5kh5k

After accruing Qantas points over many years & many $ spent, I've been trying since early November to Book business class FF seats to Kenya around early May & prepared to go via any city, but there are no classic rewards seats available to Nairobi from now to the end of the year, this means their FF prgram is basically useless & fraudulent. Trying to be flexible, I searched going via Johanesburg & as the flights are via Dubai & min 18hrs, paying for direct economy flights with another...

Not so happy to report that we had a less than good experience on SQ out of Dubai the other day. It was only an 8pm departure, but the crew weren’t really at their best. Greetings were lukewarm, and the service matched during the flight. We took off on time for a smooth departure and climb. Then waited, and waited, and waited. 28 minutes after wheels-up - and according to flightaware - only once we reached cruising altitude of 37k feet was the seatbelt sign was turned off. After...

I'm just departing Brisbane on the 6:30pm flight to Auckland. The Emirates Brisbane lounge opens 5pm and is available for Qantas Gold and higher as well as Business passengers flying Qantas. I was welcomed in just after 5pm and had a good 45 minutes with far better F&B than available that at the Qantas International Business Lounge. It was a long walk to Gate 75, and then further back to gate 84 tonight, but certainly worth the trek. (Moet/Tattenger v. Seppelts) Please post your ongoing...

The is a story in the Oz today about various aviation museums around the world: Nocookies Probably pay walled, so here:

Just working with my lawyer on getting a will drafted. Noting that this is a FF community, I was wondering (particularly since QF's change of heart), has anyone included in their will express instructions concerning who your points should be transferred to? If so, anyone care to share that clause (less any identifying details of course).

Interesting find today! 👀👀 30 second teaser of the new Qantas boarding and disembarkation music is available on Spotify (not sure how to link it but it's searchable). Wonder when it will go live?

I flew to Wellington this week with Air NZ, having booked my flights through Virgin. Thought I’d post a couple of things worth noting: * Access to Air NZ lounges is fine, but have your Velocity card/app ready. Going into both AU and NZ lounges, I scanned my boarding pass only to have ‘Entry Denied’ flash up on the screen. AU lounge staff looked at my boarding pass and let me in once I mentioned VFF Plat. Wellington lounge staff asked to see my Velocity card (app) * Priority boarding is...

Business class seats that do not lay flat, but rather the occupant has to wriggle down? Finnair launches a business class seat that doesn't recline

How often does this happen to you and how do you deal with it? I've had a couple of cases where I've put a DND on the door prior to going out and come back to find my room cleaned. It's quite irritating because I don't like my belongings being repositioned and have medical supplies I don't want people seeing, but I assume it's done either in good faith or for housekeeping to make it easier for themselves on check out day. I've read that some hotels do condition checks on rooms regardless of...

I came across this review, a year old, of beer with zero alcohol content: https://www.dmarge.com/food/best-non-alcoholic-beers Do Qantas and other airlines serving Australia serve such beer (or, wine)? Are they available in lounges like QF F for pre-flight drinks?

This will take time & patience, so either “Patience hurry up” or “Hurry up & wait”. This has not been tested & is a strategy that might work to obtain a US Amex Plat Business Charge Card with a USD$450 annual fee. The Australian version is quite a hefty annual fee in excess of AUD$1500. Building credit: Open a BofA checking account & obtain a secured credit card. It can be done in 15 mins and all you need is a passport and driver licence. Deposit USD$2200 into checking account, by keeping...

For those who may have missed this, we're opening up live attendance of tonight's AFF webinar to all AFF members. Normally, this is an exclusive benefit for AFF Platinum members. The topic is Getting Started on Your Points & Status Journey and it will run from 8-9pm (AEDT) this evening, Tuesday 4 February 2025. Please note that, as per usual, the replay will only be available afterwards to AFF Gold & Platinum members. You can learn more and find instructions on joining the webinar here...

Qantas has today announced some major changes to its frequent flyer program, which will take effect over the coming year. This article gives an overview of all of the changes: https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-frequent-flyer-program-changes-2025/ There's another thread and article that goes into more detail specifically about the increases to Classic Flight Reward and Classic Upgrade Reward pricing, which will come into effect from 5 August 2025...

Get unlimited Virgin Australia Lounge access, a free annual return domestic flight + more... Learn more and apply for this card: https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/credit-cards/american-express-velocity-platinum-guide/ What are the main benefits of this card? Get a free annual return Virgin Australia domestic flight Enjoy complimentary lounge access whenever you fly Virgin Australia, plus two annual lounge guest passes Signup bonus: 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply by...