AFF on Air Discussion thread

[austom]

Thanks so much for the work on the podcast, it’s super great to listen to!

Wondering if there’s any news on the Overcast/Pocketcasts issue? I can’t add the podcast to overcast either by searching or with the apple podcast URL (which usually works).

In the meantime I’ll keep using the apple podcast app just for AFF. Definitely worth it

 

[Townsend]

Thanks Matt, another enjoyable episode.

I thought you analysis of Qantas ‘s proposed flights, and the lack of available planes, was interesting. Is there a reason that Qantas cannot bring back the a380s earlier than planned? I realise that it takes time to get them airworthy again but I was wondering how long it would take as well as what any other problems might be?

Thanks.

 

[RASA]

G'day, it's Matt here. I hope you've been enjoying our new AFF on Air podcast! It's free to tune in, and a new episode will be released each fortnight.

This thread is where you can discuss anything from an episode of the podcast. In this thread you can also ask any travel-related question that you would like me to answer or talk about in a future episode of the podcast!

Hi Matt, I’m trying to work out how to subscribe to your AFF on Air podcast. When I hit the button to subscribe through Apple Podcasts there’s no actual “subscribe” link. I would prefer to subscribe through my normal podcast app which is Overcast. Is that possible?

 

[AFF Editor]

Thanks so much for the work on the podcast, it’s super great to listen to!

Wondering if there’s any news on the Overcast/Pocketcasts issue? I can’t add the podcast to overcast either by searching or with the apple podcast URL (which usually works).

In the meantime I’ll keep using the apple podcast app just for AFF. Definitely worth it

The Pocket Casts issue was fixed a little while ago, as far as I'm aware. I just checked and all episodes are available now to listen to in Pocket Casts.



Regarding Overcast, I'm not 100% sure but I don't think our podcast hosting provider distributes our podcast to Overcast. Has it been available there in the past? Either way, I don't think this is something I have control over, sorry.

Hi Matt, I’m trying to work out how to subscribe to your AFF on Air podcast. When I hit the button to subscribe through Apple Podcasts there’s no actual “subscribe” link. I would prefer to subscribe through my normal podcast app which is Overcast. Is that possible?

If you open up Apple Podcasts, e.g. on a smartphone, you should be able to select "Follow Show" in the drop-down menu?



If you can't get it to work with Apple Podcasts, there are other platforms linked in the article for each episode or you can subscribe by email. But as per above, I don't think AFF on Air is available on Overcast, sorry.

 

[levelnine]

I'm able to access AFF on Air on Overcast, but it doesn't push updates like every other podcast does. I have to manually refresh the feed to get new episodes. Very annoying and I hope this can be fixed -- it is literally only AFF on Air that has this problem.

 

[Bryce]

Hi Matt,

Thanks for the valuable info. Could you please remind me the Sniip promo code?

 

[AFF Editor]

I'm able to access AFF on Air on Overcast, but it doesn't push updates like every other podcast does. I have to manually refresh the feed to get new episodes. Very annoying and I hope this can be fixed -- it is literally only AFF on Air that has this problem.

Sorry for the inconvenience. We are investigating but I'm not sure whether we'll be able to resolve this.

Hi Matt,

Thanks for the valuable info. Could you please remind me the Sniip promo code?

Sure - AFF10.

 

[Stusipad]

Hi Matt,

With the great news of Australia reopening international travel, will your consultancy service resume? I'm sure there are plenty of AFF members looking to burn some points!

Keep up the great work, Stu.

PS. In case you read my handle on the podcast it's pronounced 'Stu's-ipad'

 

[AFF Editor]

Hi Matt,

With the great news of Australia reopening international travel, will your consultancy service resume? I'm sure there are plenty of AFF members looking to burn some points!

Keep up the great work, Stu.

PS. In case you read my handle on the podcast it's pronounced 'Stu's-ipad'

Hi Stu,

Yes, Award Flight Assist has now (finally) reopened.

Welcome to Frequent Flyer Concierge - Frequent Flyer Solutions

frequentflyer.com.au

 

[AFF Editor]

Thanks Matt, another enjoyable episode.

I thought you analysis of Qantas ‘s proposed flights, and the lack of available planes, was interesting. Is there a reason that Qantas cannot bring back the a380s earlier than planned? I realise that it takes time to get them airworthy again but I was wondering how long it would take as well as what any other problems might be?

Thanks.

Thanks for the question. I've answered it in today's episode, which also includes an interview with @madrooster about yesterday's international travel announcement and what it all means for travellers.

Podcast Episode #71: NSW Ends Quarantine

Listen now! This episode was released on 16 October, 2021.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Chooleekhor]

Hi Matt
We are flying SIA business Syd-SG on Nov 4. Is the lounge open for an early 9 am flight in T1?

 

[AFF Editor]

Hi Matt
We are flying SIA business Syd-SG on Nov 4. Is the lounge open for an early 9 am flight in T1?

Good question. I expect the Singapore Airlines lounges in SYD & MEL will reopen soon, but there hasn't been an announcement yet about this. The SilverKris Lounge in Sydney is currently closed and I'm not sure whether it will have opened yet by 4 November - but I'm expecting an announcement from SQ about this in the coming weeks.

 

[catch22]

Thanks for the latest episode Matt, this one really helped me out!

I am traveling back to Australia in mid-November with our infant son. He's not yet an Australian citizen, that will take some sorting our when we get back. I knew that we'd need an exemption for him to enter, but thought that the visa process would be straight-forward.

Getting the visa turned out to be an okay process, (certainly compared to some of the bureaucratic hurdles we've had to jump in the last year or so), but I'm glad that your podcast highlighted the issue for me.

 

[AFF Editor]

Thanks for the latest episode Matt, this one really helped me out!

I am traveling back to Australia in mid-November with our infant son. He's not yet an Australian citizen, that will take some sorting our when we get back. I knew that we'd need an exemption for him to enter, but thought that the visa process would be straight-forward.

Getting the visa turned out to be an okay process, (certainly compared to some of the bureaucratic hurdles we've had to jump in the last year or so), but I'm glad that your podcast highlighted the issue for me.

Hope you and your son have a stress-free trip home!

 

[HNL808]

Hi Matt,

I thought I'd share a bit of a 'YES!' moment in a recent points redemption which effectively resulted in a 2 for 1 Business Class Trip with very low taxes on a much sought after route.

My aim was to find two Business Class seats from LAX to MEL (direct) next month. Long story short, I found them on QANTAS for 108K points each and taxes, then I found the same seats on American Airlines for 80K miles each plus less taxes and finally, I found the same seats on Alaska Air for 55K miles each plus very low taxes.

As a novice in the points game I was thrilled with the result and was interested in knowing if there are other similar hacks to receive better value for effectively the same seats. For example, is it possible to use Turkish Airlines miles to redeem with; Hawaiian Air for travel between Australian and Hawaii or United for travel between Australia and the US?

I'd love to learn about leveraging arbitrage of one loyalty program against another.

Thank you.

Mike

 

[AFF Editor]

As a novice in the points game I was thrilled with the result and was interested in knowing if there are other similar hacks to receive better value for effectively the same seats. For example, is it possible to use Turkish Airlines miles to redeem with; Hawaiian Air for travel between Australian and Hawaii or United for travel between Australia and the US?

I'd love to learn about leveraging arbitrage of one loyalty program against another.

Good question. I'll discuss in the next episode.

 

[HNL808]

Good question. I'll discuss in the next episode.

Thank you, I appreciate it.

 

[AFF Editor]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

Here you go:

Podcast Episode #74: Post-Pandemic Award Travel

Listen now! This episode was released on 27 November, 2021.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[HNL808]

Hi Matt,

Hope you're doing well.

Are you aware of this hack? Joining Accor Plus Explorer Plus Membership - through Indonesia, 4100000 IDR?

Roughly A$403 with 2 free nights? Instead of $399 through Australia with 1 free night.

It doesn't seem to have a problems with my Melbourne address and am likely to pay but thought I'd ask your thoughts first.

Also, my leisure travel is generally limited to school holidays. Are the free nights and 50% discounts generally available during that time?

Are you planning a Hotel Hacks podcast anytime soon?

Thanks in advance.

Mike

 

[Eija]

Thanx Matt, I always listen, learn & enjoy. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry. But be forewarned at the next AFF Social Event I will have an Elephant Stamp and I won’t be afraid to use it