AFF on Air Discussion thread

[JessicaTam]

Really enjoyed listening to episode 100 of AFF on Air Podcast and hearing the history of how AFF got off the ground so to speak. It was also interesting to hear the guest reminiscing of the good ol’ days of Qantas, Ansett and other frequent Flyer programs.

One correction that should, however, be made is the acronyms used to describe Qantas elite flyers. In particular I call your attention to WP which should indicate Qantas’ World Platinum elite members.

Anyways, great episode and here’s to another 100 episodes!

-RooFlyer88

Actually no. WP (along with NB, PS and SG) were all rather unflattering and had no connection to airline marketing departments.

 

[CaptJCool]

As one of them WP, I got WP’d through a shrewd DSC spend in March 2019 all the way across Covid!

So thanks to AFF

Nextly, following the recommendation i went back and listened to Podcast #22
what a cracker of a story

 

[yaziyo]

I'm an enjoyer of the podcast and am glad that it's back for 2023. One topic I might suggest is a how-to for Krisflyer redemptions, particularly for their partners.

As an amateur in the world of Krisflyer, an overview of what airlines you can redeem with, which ones can and can't be booked online and which airlines are the ones with attractive fees & charges would be really handy.

 

[mel-world]

Finally caught the 6 May episode with Silva. One of the best for a long time. She is truly inspirational. She loves a chat but so many memorable moments in the interview. Thanks Matt for letting her tell her story. Many things are possible if you have dreams.

 

[Lost Redditor]

I stated listening a couple of months ago. I've been listening chronologically and it's so quaint to listen to all the travel being planned for 2020. I just think "you poor souls, you don't know what's coming!"

I'm up to the "COVID19: it's not business as usual" and I've thoroughly enjoyed the podcast and learned heaps.

One point of feedback is I'd love it if the episode number was baked into the title of the episode. Makes it easier to hop to an episode you mention by number as my podcast client does not show any number unless specified in the title.

 

[AFF Editor]

One point of feedback is I'd love it if the episode number was baked into the title of the episode. Makes it easier to hop to an episode you mention by number as my podcast client does not show any number unless specified in the title.

I assume you're listening on Apple Podcasts.

The episode numbers used to be shown in the title of the episode on Apple Podcasts, but there seems to have been a recent change. I'll see if there's anything we can do about it. When listening on other platforms, the episode number *should* be shown after the title.

 

[openseat]

One of the best AFF on Air podcasts! I enjoyed it greatly while gardening this afternoon. As one who is about to hit lifetime Gold, there was a lot to think about, although I'll be retiring in a few years time so my flying days will be coming to an end, apart from leisure flying.
Also the question about Virgin joining an alliance was very good. I think a great follow up question or even podcast would be about the effect of a board of competing visions for VA1 contributed to the downfall and perhaps even chopping the CEO off at the knees.

 

[Lost Redditor]

I assume you're listening on Apple Podcasts.

The episode numbers used to be shown in the title of the episode on Apple Podcasts, but there seems to have been a recent change. I'll see if there's anything we can do about it. When listening on other platforms, the episode number *should* be shown after the title.

I use an app called Podcast Republic. It’s a bit obscure but I love it. I just plug the RSS link in manually.

I just checked the feed and found that the episode number sits in the metadata in the tag

<itunes:episode>102</itunes:episode>

I guess iPhones - and iTunes users - would show this, but other clients won't unless they look for it.

Anyway, it's not a big deal. It's not that hard to infer from and you often specify the date of the episode to which you're referring.

 

[sudoer]

other clients won't unless they look for it.

Pocket Casts shows the episode number, I'd be submitting a feature request to the developer of Podcast Republic.

 

[Lost Redditor]

Pocket Casts shows the episode number, I'd be submitting a feature request to the developer of Podcast Republic.

View attachment 333225

Cheers, yeah I did put an issue on their github project after checking

Maybe it's time I try some other apps.

 

[sudoer]

Pocket Casts is definitely worth a try.

The paid subscription isn't necessary IMO, the free version does everything I need. Android Auto integration is one of the best available.

Don't pay too much attention to their Play Store rating - they took a hit recently from a wave of people rating 1 star because the icon was changed to celebrate pride month.

 

[Lost Redditor]

Don't pay too much attention to their Play Store rating - they took a hit recently from a wave of people rating 1 star because the icon was changed to celebrate pride month.

The things people get angry over...
Yeah I'll give that app a try, thanks.

 

[kpc]

MRS gave veery intetesting insights on alliances, liife time status incl a 600 SCs bonus for QF LT Golds etc....I think unfortunately his thoughts are probably too advanced for Qf to consider...

 

[Townsend]

Another very interesting podcast. I hope the podcasts return in the not to distant future as they are, by far, my favourite podcast!

Enjoy your new ventures Matt.

 

[CaptJCool]

what entertained me in Podcast 102 with MRS

Speed to Upgrade - airlines seem to forget there are frequent flyers.... the subscriptions model reminds me of Gym subs - instant gratification that I've signed up to "do the right thing" instant adrenalin hit 2 get fit, but inevitably pay the cash month after month and don't actually go - talk about improved margins.

the Analytics of Loyalty - its nice to look back the decade as MRS mentioned so he is a ppowerpoint done by QF at the time https://www.actuaries.asn.au/Library/Events/FSF/2012/AnalyticsOfLoyalty3BChandlerTubman.pdf
Slide 17 of Sydney (we could say their affluent spenders live above the "latte lline")

in the recent 2023 update, they talked a lot about the high affluence clients
slides 7-11, 21 & 29

https://investor.qantas.com/FormBuilder/_Resource/_module/doLLG5ufYkCyEPjF1tpgyw/file/2023HY/1H23-Presentation.pdf

so who are these?
so if one were to overlay the various maps of Sydney on the QF map on slide 17, one might see where the QF spenders reside and their attributes

Income Capacity
higher income as further through long careers Interactive Choropleth map in Python using Folium higher taxable incomes (particularly via business or investment income (franking credits)

Low outlays on Dependants and Housing
Number dependants supported on the tax income is low as 'adult' children have "moved on"
Home Ownership is strong (and rent affordability is low as much because of lower availability and the volume of unoccupied dwellings) Unoccupied Dwllgs Pct 2016 Sydney - MapMakers Australia ) means low outlays on home loans
Property prices inflated due to fair density & very stable volume of housing within these localities (NIMBYism)
Cash is spent on (Luxury) Car Ownership

who pays the airfares?
well, there's clearly capacity to pay from private income but it definitely helps if the "business" in which one is self-employed or employed is funding the cost of travel (especially if Flex Y fares)

Qantas isn't the only one charging premium prices
very stable number of businesses within the high tax income locations means businesses are "profitable"

Business Counts by Postcode Area Over The Years Since 2011 - Greater Sydney Illustrated Example - MapMakers Australia

February 2023. Latest updates from June 2022 data release added to the end of this post! Because of the impact of pandemic measures on the economy, we have posted the business counts for Lockdown Year 2021 separately. The following maps show the mixed fortunes of the Greater Sydney region, on an...

mapmakers.com.au

Same service, different price: how postcodes affect the cost of hiring tradies

New data gathered by tradie jobs website ServiceSeeking.com.au reveals prices can vary significantly depending on your postcode. Living in some suburbs can drive up the cost of hiring a tradie. ...

www.urban.com.au

 

[levelnine]

Sorry to hear the podcast will now be on hiatus. Thanks for all your work in putting it together, Matt. It's always an enjoyable and informative listen.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sorry to hear the podcast will now be on hiatus. Thanks for all your work in putting it together, Matt. It's always an enjoyable and informative listen.

Oh, I haven't listened lately (but always catch up after a couple of episodes). Sorry if its not going to be available - always appreciated the work and research Matt.

 

[RooFlyer]

So I made your guest's time on AFF OnAir a fraction more worthwhile by going to Statusmatch.com . Interesting, I think I'll use it later this year. Anyone know what the 'success fee' is, or if variable, what is the order-of-magnitude $ for a Plat match to a major foreign airline?

 

[VPS]

So I made your guest's time on AFF OnAir a fraction more worthwhile by going to Statusmatch.com . Interesting, I think I'll use it later this year. Anyone know what the 'success fee' is, or if variable, what is the order-of-magnitude $ for a Plat match to a major foreign airline?

let me know how you get on

 

[Townsend]

Matt I am missing the Saturday morning arrival of your podcasts. Just in case you think they are not missed!