2024 New Year travel resolutions

[Gold Member]

Welcome to the New Year everyone! I trust you’re all bright and bushy tailed this morning.

It’s a quiet period for AFF over the Xmas/NY break and they really need some clicks. So I thought I’d inject some reflection on ‘23 and motivation for ‘24 to derive my New Year Travel resolutions. Here are my top three:

1. Dump Qantas. This will blow many of you away because I’m an avid Qantas Supporter ( ), but we can all safely say that Qantas does not care for their customers. Rather, Qantas’ priorities lie in making as much money as possible for its Shareholders, Management and Board, while corrupting our infallible role model Politicians with Chairman’s Lounge/Platinum access to ensure they are always looked after as a Government backed Entity. I refuse to support this type of behaviour.

2. HLO. That’s Hand Luggage Only for the uninitiated. I never thought I could make it work on 2-3 week European trips but it can definitely be done with the right planning. The benefits are so worthwhile, especially for itineraries with many modes of transport involved. Sign me up to whatever cult following HLO people are labelled as.

3. Redeem Airline/Hotel loyalty points. With travel prices rocketing back up to well above pre-C19 levels, spending your points might be a worthy exercise. This is especially relevant for programs which are not pegged to a dynamic points based system. And with my prediction that the AUD will float higher over the year, points redemption linked to a USD based currency loyalty program is an added benefit.

Like any NY resolutions, some or all may be a fleeting moment of inspiration or a fundamental change in mindset. Either way, I’ll commit to at least 2 out of the 3 I’ve listed. What are your NY Travel resolutions?

 

[kpc]

I agree with HLO...we recently did Africa for 3 weeks...it was made possible however as we were allowed 2x7 KG hand luggage each at least as we were travelling J and the weather was hot avoiding the need for winter clothing. If we were restricted to 7 kg HLO that would be very challenging!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Won’t be doing 1 but I guess that’s no surprise.
I haven’t checked luggage in years. HLO on every single trip.
Definitely agree about burning points.

 

[Captain Halliday]

1. Agree strongly on HLO as readers of my trip report The Castle will know (skip to post 4 for how it went down).

2. I also agree on spending points. With the bounce back in travel, it’s only a matter of time before devaluations begin in one form or other.

3. My other resolution - and this might require a flame suit - is to cut down on the number of transits/ long layovers on big trips.

We’re just back from a four week trip which included three one night transit* stays. These were required because flights were on different PNRs and unprotected.

By the third transit I’d come to the conclusion that $200 for accom, plus a couple of meals, the perils of ad-hoc hotel shuttles, plus the loss of a day at the actual holiday destination really wasn’t worth it.

If one is required occasionally, fine. But stringing together four different award bookings across different airlines in the one trip was a good learning experience and I resolve not to do it again.

*All <24h, but overnighters that were too long to remain in the airport.

 

[Gold Member]

We’re just back from a four week trip which included three one night transit* stays. These were required because flights were on different PNRs and unprotected.

By the third transit I’d come to the conclusion that $200 for accom, plus a couple of meals, the perils of ad-hoc hotel shuttles, plus the loss of a day at the actual holiday destination really wasn’t worth it.

If one is required occasionally, fine. But stringing together four different award bookings across different airlines in the one trip was a good learning experience and I resolve not to do it again.

*All <24h, but overnighters that were too long to remain in the airport.

Chicken and egg story, but no flame suit required Cpt. We all want that elusive award that takes you from your local airport to your final destination on the one ticket with nice seamless transits. But with the Airlines culling premium awards and everyone trying to redeem points at the same time, the problem is exacerbated. So if we want to get somewhere it’s often a case of piecing together separate awards with the unprotected stop as you noted. It requires more points, more time, more money and a bit of stuffing around for a transit.

On the flip side, this challenge presents two benefits IMHO. Firstly, it opens up much more availability to travel since you can be far more flexible with your award routing searches. Secondly, and this only works for overnight flights, it’s nice to actually get a proper night’s sleep in a hotel bed so that you can feel refreshed and able to enjoy your next flight. And in a similar vein, the separate awards may allow you to take day time flights which I find far more palatable than overnight flights.

 

[VPS]

My main resolution is to do more travel

 

[Tiki]

I've always been HLO and plan to continue with the exception of shopping being brought back home.

This year I will concentrate on Velocity from Aussie points programs and Chase card partners like UA and BA for my US programs.

I have enough QF for the last planned redemption on BNE-SYD/MEL-SCL.

My other planned redemptions are trips to IST which are easier and cheaper on VA.

QF (EK) BNE-IST Y - 61.5k + $460, J - 139.2k + $1798 and that is if it is available.

VA (QR) BNE-IST Y - 65k = $305, J - 139.5k + $762 (hard to find)

 

[Flyfrequently]

I've always been HLO and plan to continue

Ditto, but Mr Flyfrequently does like to bring along a guitar (paging @Denali )
He has been known to purchase in the States - though did draw the line for EU trip in September '23.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I must NOT rest my feet with shoes or without on what is termed the bulkhead...
So would have been so nice.
Not that I would do such a sin.
===

My main resolution is to do more travel.

Just so long as there are no more diseases in future, ala Corona or Bird Flu, etc.
Not sure, but did the Premiers of WA and Vic who did such a job of closing their borders, plus the Premiers of the other states, who not so drastic, but still were tough, did that do any good in stopping Covid in Aust.
In the end, it still did have an effect on Aust.

 

[exceladdict]

If 2024 ends up with anywhere near as much travel as 2023, my main resolution is for Mrs Excel to join me more of the time.

 

[antycbr]

I must NOT rest my feet with shoes or without on what is termed the bulkhead...
So would have been so nice.
Not that I would do such a sin.
===

Just so long as there are no more diseases in future, ala Corona or Bird Flu, etc.
Not sure, but did the Premiers of WA and Vic who did such a job of closing their borders, plus the Premiers of the other states, who not so drastic, but still were tough, did that do any good in stopping Covid in Aust.
In the end, it still did have an effect on Aust.

This bulkhead doesn’t count (on SQ211 right now)

On a serious note continue to avoid travelling in the lowest class of travel on an aircraft…

 

[pauly7]

My main resolution is to do more travel

Mine is the opposite

1) To travel less. Especially for work.

I suspect it won’t be that practical a resolution!

 

[Franky]

I must NOT rest my feet with shoes or without on what is termed the bulkhead...
So would have been so nice.
Not that I would do such a sin.
===

Just so long as there are no more diseases in future, ala Corona or Bird Flu, etc.
Not sure, but did the Premiers of WA and Vic who did such a job of closing their borders, plus the Premiers of the other states, who not so drastic, but still were tough, did that do any good in stopping Covid in Aust.
In the end, it still did have an effect on Aust.

We are all wise after the event, but as ScoMo said at the time, there was no manual for what occurred, and all those in the halls of power did as well as could be expected given the circumstances, though those in Victoria would probably have different thoughts about that.

 

[JohnK]

Our New Years resolution is to win Powerball, OzLotto or Saturday Gold Lotto and we can then afford to travel economy to Thailand 4 times a year so little one doesn't miss school.

And if the win is decent I will buy some land in the village and build some very small Thai style villa homes and give away to some of the poorer families we have met. If I'm not mistaken it would cost AUD250,000-300,000 to build 4-6 small villas including buying the land. I'd have one project going each year.

I have zero need for more material possessions.

Oh and it'd be good if I had enough to buy 2 more golf sets and leave one in Pattaya and one in Chiang Mai so I don't have to carry them around with me everywhere.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

It's a milestone birthday this year for me, and with Covid and addition to our family, i haven't travelled in a few years. So, my resolution is to change that and celebrate my milestone on the road (somewhere)!

 

[RSVKanga]

1. Dump Qantas. This will blow many of you away because I’m an avid Qantas Supporter ( ), but we can all safely say that Qantas does not care for their customers. Rather, Qantas’ priorities lie in making as much money as possible for its Shareholders, Management and Board, while corrupting our infallible role model Politicians with Chairman’s Lounge/Platinum access to ensure they are always looked after as a Government backed Entity. I refuse to support this type of behaviour.

I agree that Qantas betrayed its customers in 2023, but it’s time to give them the benefit of the doubt in 2024. New CEO, new Chairperson (being announced soon), new A220 and A321XLR aircraft, nonstop Perth-Paris, A330 refurbishments etc

Regarding your talk about Chairman’s Lounge and politician access, this has been happening for decades. Most of the Australian public (avgeeks and frequent flyers included) didn’t even know about Chairman’s Lounge eligibility and requirements until the whole sh*tshow blew up in 2023. People only know about this because Australia is a transparent democracy, and you should be grateful for that. “Corruption” you talk about; are you aware of the level of corruption that happens in autocratic states like Qatar or the UAE, or even Singapore (restricted democracy)? No, because it’s all suppressed under the strictest of state secrecy. MP and Senator membership of the chairman’s lounge is a routine feature of this exclusive club. Unions have also played a part in scrutinising Qantas and it’s an offence to establish a union in countries like the UAE, Qatar, Singapore or even Japan, so no wonder EK, QR, SQ and JAL look like good sparkly friendly corporate citizens; but in reality they’d be portrayed much, much worse than Qantas had unions been legal in those countries. (And it’s no secret that the culture and working environment in those airlines are currently worse than QF)

Of course the Australian Government has to protect and defend Qantas, our one and only national airline, against brutal competitors with endless oil money in the likes of Qatar Airways, regardless of all the wrongdoings of Qantas. It would be simply be un-Australian to oppose this.

I hope these points have given you the perspective that the anti-Qantas parade desperately needs.

 

[bashworth]

Not sure if it could be classed as a 'Resolution' . . . . but this Christmas I finally admitted to myself that trying to convince my wife to only travel HLO when we were away for more than a week. was not showing any sign of success. . . so one of her Christmas presents was a 'Tile' bag tracking tag.

 

[Gold Member]

I agree that Qantas betrayed its customers in 2023, but it’s time to give them the benefit of the doubt in 2024.

So years and years of poor customer service matched with sky high prices (even before Covid) justify a second chance? Not likely. Customers have long memories when they are treated poorly for so long and many will rightfully walk away from Qantas. New Execs are just fresh lipstick on a pig within the same infested culture and ethos. Suggest you read up on reputation and brand.

Of course the Australian Government has to protect and defend Qantas, our one and only national airline, against brutal competitors with endless oil money in the likes of Qatar Airways, regardless of all the wrongdoings of Qantas. It would be simply be un-Australian to oppose this.

I hope these points have given you the perspective that the anti-Qantas parade desperately needs.

“un-Australian”? You believe that corruption and coercion (and the list goes on) is aligned with our societal and cultural norms? We are not an autocratic/dictatorial/third world country where this type of behaviour is rife. Perhaps it is you that is un-Australian.

I hope the Qantas Apologists can understand and embrace what true Australian values are and behave accordingly.

 

[blackcat20]

This thread made me realise that we did not travel with QF last year. Not intentionally, but VA were the better option domestically and we flew SQ internationally. However, they will be on the list this year with trips to CHC and LAX.

 

[RSVKanga]

So years and years of poor customer service matched with sky high prices (even before Covid) justify a second chance? Not likely. Customers have long memories when they are treated poorly for so long and many will rightfully walk away from Qantas. New Execs are just fresh lipstick on a pig within the same infested culture and ethos. Suggest you read up on reputation and brand.



“un-Australian”? You believe that corruption and coercion (and the list goes on) is aligned with our societal and cultural norms? We are not an autocratic/dictatorial/third world country where this type of behaviour is rife. Perhaps it is you that is un-Australian.

I hope the Qantas Apologists can understand and embrace what true Australian values are and behave accordingly.

1. Not just new execs? New A220s, new A321XLRs, new European routes, new A330 interiors, new A350s?

2. Qantas was Australia’s most trusted brand pre-Covid.

3. It’s not corruption. Qantas is the Commonwealth-endorsed national flag carrier of Australia and Government intervention such as the Qatar Airways blocking is absolutely justified as it protects and defends our airline and its people against competitors with endless oil money. It’s a routine procedure conducted by governments. Chairman’s lounge membership for MPs and Senators have existed for years, and VA also has its equivalent “The Club” membership for MPs and Senators as well, but of course nobody talks about VA because they deserve ultimate immunity