In 2009, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) began accepting payments by credit card. Many Australians have to pay tax anyway, so they took the opportunity to pay by card and earn frequent flyer points in the process. Since then, the banks have slowly but surely removed this loophole by excluding government payments from earning points. Next week, St George Bank will become the final major Australian bank to stop awarding points for tax payments. But Australians have made hay while the sun was shining - and few more so than the AFF member who goes by the username "cove". Cove estimates his family has earned 100 million points by paying taxes with credit cards since 2009. In this episode, Matt finds out how he did it! You'll also learn how to continue earning points for tax payments, even after St George closes this loophole. Also in this episode, Qantas has launched a status match and Virgin Australia is now finally out of voluntary administration.     Episode contents: 1:14 - Fortnightly news round-up 8:18 - Virgin Australia is out of voluntary administration. What's next? 12:45 - Interview with "cove" 29:07 - How to continue earning points for tax payments in Australia   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Virgin Australia to Relaunch Business Class Half of Virgin Australia’s Lounges to Reopen How to Earn Points for Paying Tax & Other Bills in 2020 Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar: How COVID-19 Has Changed Travel: Planning for 2021 (9 December 2020)   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Bain Takes Control as Virgin Australia Exits Voluntary Administration Extend Your Qantas Status By Booking One Flight Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold Status Match Overview of Australian State Border Restrictions Velocity Global Wallet Shutting Down How to Buy & Redeem Air Canada Aeroplan Points Flybuys Removes Annual Velocity Points Transfer Limit Qantas to Launch Strategic Partnership with Accor Hotels ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Card Withdraws Virgin Benefits

On 16 November 1920, Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Services (or QANTAS for short) was incoporated. This makes next Monday, 16 November 2020, the airline's 100th birthday! But the story of the birth of Qantas goes far beyond the signing of a piece of paper in 1920. In this episode, Qantas Founders Museum curator Tom Harwood joins Matt to tell the full story of how Qantas was founded and grew to become Australia's beloved national carrier.   Episode contents: 1:00 - Fortnightly news round-up 11:51 - Interview with Tom Harwood   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions "100 years of what?" - an informative article by Tom Harwood on the Qantas Founders Museum website   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Qantas Closes Airport Service Desks NSW & ACT to Reopen Victorian Border from 23 November Fly to Lord Howe Island with Qantas Points Bonus Points & Status Credits on Transfers to Velocity – November 2020 Berlin Brandenburg Airport is Finally Open! The Cheapest & Most Expensive Countries for Domestic Flights

Many Australians have used the travel downturn to work on projects around the house. Canberra-based Andrew Newnham, whose AFF handle is harvyk, is no exception. But instead of reseeding his lawn, installing a new kitchen or painting the house, Andrew decided to build a life-size Boeing 747 flight simulator in his garage! In this episode, Andrew tells Matt all about the project and what it takes to build a full-scale flight simulator at home. Also in this episode, find out where all the grounded Qantas & Virgin planes are parked and why the Boeing 737 MAX could soon return to the skies. You can see pictures of Andrew's flight simulator here: Podcast #48: 747 Enthusiast Builds Flight Simulator in Garage   Episode contents: 0:51 - Fortnightly news round-up 12:25 - Interview with Andrew Newnham 24:21 - Where are all the grounded Qantas & Virgin planes? 27:35 - Boeing 737 MAX update   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Where Are the 137 Grounded Qantas & Virgin Planes? The Boeing 737 MAX Will Soon Return to Service Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar: The New Virgin Australia (5 November 2020)   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Qatar’s Reputation Takes Huge Hit After Invasive Searches More Domestic Flights as Tasmania Reopens Border Many Surprising New Domestic Routes Launching Velocity Frequent Flyer Valuation Slashed By Two-Thirds Virgin Australia Holidays is Closing Down Qantas Flags New Destinations, Further Cost Cuts St George to Axe Points for ATO Tax Payments Canberra Added to Priority Pass Network Hilton Further Extends Status Until 2022

Flybuys Chief Operating Officer Phil Hawkins knows a thing or two about loyalty. He was with Flybuys right back when the Australian loyalty program launched in 1994! In this episode of AFF on AIR, Phil joins Matt to discuss all aspects of the Flybuys program including its partnership with Velocity Frequent Flyer and why targeted offers are so critical to the program's success. In the news round-up, Matt also talks about the current woes beleaguering Virgin Australia. The airline has just lost its CEO, the unions don't trust the new owner and staff are taking sick leave because they're sick of dealing with Business class passengers unhappy over receiving two-minute noodles as an in-flight meal. What will Bain Capital do next?   Episode contents: 0:46 - Fortnightly news round-up 11:05 - Interview with Phil Hawkins, Flybuys COO 39:48 - AFF's annual weekend gathering in Canberra   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions AFF#14 gathering in Canberra (4-6 December 2020)   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: The Axe is Falling on Virgin Australia Velocity Cuts Partner Airline Benefits Qantas Resumes Limited Trans-Tasman Flights Today Qantas Scenic Flight Over Australia Proves a Hit

Ever wondered what it's like being an Air Traffic Controller? In this episode Ian Robinson (a.k.a. iRobbo on AFF), who has been an Air Traffic Controller for almost 30 years, talks to Matt about what the job involves, the training required and what it's like dealing with a mid-air emergency from on the ground. Also in this episode, Matt discusses Rex's ambitious plan to compete head-on with Qantas and Virgin Australia and domestic capital city routes. And over 1,000 former Qantas 747 galley carts are now being delivered to homes across Australia.   Episode contents: 0:50 - Fortnightly news round-up 6:56 - Rex's plan to launch capital city flights with Boeing 737s from March 2021 13:59 - Save 5% at Woolworths & Dan Murphy's & get $10 bonus credit with Cashrewards 15:02 - Interview with Air Traffic Controller Ian Robinson 41:57 - Qantas 747 bar carts sell out in minutes - creative ideas for using airline carts at home   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Rex to Launch Boeing 737 Capital City Flights Join Cashrewards for Free and Get a $10 Bonus (article) Join Cashrewards now (join link) How to Use Your Qantas Bar Cart   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Overview of Australian State Border Restrictions Air New Zealand Extends Status for a Second Year ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Card Withdraws Virgin Benefits Qantas Quietly Ends Price Promise Alliance Airlines Coming to Canberra Southern Lights Flight on a Chartered Qantas 787

Next week, the Australian government will increase the number of Australians that can arrive each week from 4,000 to around 6,000 people. This is a welcome step forward and will definitely help to clear the backlog of Australians stranded overseas. But with at least 24,000 Australians currently registered as stranded - and perhaps closer to 100,000 by airline estimates - is it enough? In this episode, Matt shares the stories of Australians stuck in the Netherlands. The arrival caps, it seems, are only part of the problem. The more immediate issue is that those Australians in the most vulnerable positions, who can least afford to remain overseas, are the same people that can least afford to pay an extortionate ticket price to get home. Buying an Economy class ticket is not an option with many airlines indefinitely bumping Economy class passengers off flights in favour of those who paid more for a premium ticket. Some airlines have stopped selling Economy tickets altogether. Also in this episode, Norfolk Island is open for tourism from five Australian states, and will also reopen next month for travel from NSW and ACT! If you're keen for an overseas holiday, a trip to Norfolk Island is one way to do this without technically leaving the country.   Episode contents: 1:08 - Fortnightly news round-up 9:53 - Australia increases the international arrivals cap 13:41 - Interview with Courtney Devine 26:05 - Other Australians in the Netherlands share their stories 30:28 - Quarantine-free travel to Norfolk Island   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions RemoveTheCap.com Norfolk Island is Open for Tourism   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Qantas Flight to Nowhere Sells Out in Minutes Qantas Petitions for State Borders to Reopen Overview of Australian State Border Restrictions Qantas Club Gives Further Six-Month Extensions No Refunds as Many Priority Pass Lounges Remain Closed ACCC Fears for Airline Competition in Australia 20% Bonus Velocity Points Offer as NAB Reinstates Transfers 30% Off Velocity Business Reward Seats & Upgrades Qantas Cuts Platinum One Special Service Team How to Buy and Redeem LifeMiles

On 4 September 2020, Virgin Australia creditors voted to approve the airline's sale to U.S. private equity firm Bain Capital for $3.5 billion. This was the final major hurdle in bringing Virgin Australia out of voluntary administration and avoiding liquidation. The sale is expected to be completed by the end of October. So, how did Virgin Australia get to this point and where is it going from here? After launching as a low-cost carrier in 2000 (Virgin celebrated its 20th anniversary this week with no fanfare), then relaunching as a full-service airline in 2011, it's now planning to reinvent itself a second time as a "value" carrier. Is this a Goldilocks moment or does Virgin 3.0 risk getting squeezed out of the market?   Episode contents: 0:55 - Fortnightly news round-up 12:04 - Virgin Australia's sale to Bain Capital is approved. How did we get here, and what's next for the airline? 27:35 - Customers have long memories. Why aren't more businesses doing the right thing?   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Virgin Australia Sale to Bain Capital Approved Virgin Australia Customers to Receive “Future Flight Credits” Goodwill Lost: Customers Have Long Memories Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar: Australian Domestic Travel Tips & Tricks (9 September 2020)   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: When Should Australia Lift its Outbound Travel Ban? International Arrival Caps Locking Out Australians Qantas Cuts More Staff Boeing 747s Now Operating Just a Handful of Routes Marriott Bonvoy Status Match U.S. Airlines Permanently Axe Change Fees

2020 has been a tough year for many Australian tourism businesses. But few parts of Australia have been affected as badly as Kangaroo Island in South Australia. The island was still recovering from a disastrous summer bushfire season, which destroyed almost half the island, when the coronavirus crisis hit. With borders now closed, the island's economy which relies on tourism is struggling. In this episode, Matt takes a close look at how these dual crises impacted Kangaroo Island and its people. In this episode, Matt also discusses what it's like flying around Australia at the moment, the future of Virgin Australia and the hierarchy of Qantas award availability.   Episode contents: 1:00 - Fortnightly news round-up 9:50 - The future of Virgin Australia & the risk of getting squeezed by Qantas 15:50 - What's it like flying with Qantas & Virgin at the moment - both on the ground and in the air? 20:22 - How Kangaroo Island has dealt with two crises this year, and how its tourism industry is affected 28:00 - Ask Matt: Qantas award availability when using AAdvantage or Alaskan miles   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Virgin’s “Hybrid” Strategy is Fraught with Risk Great Food & Service at Reopened Qantas Lounges Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar: Australian Domestic Travel Tips & Tricks (9 September 2020)   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Qantas 2019-20 Financial Results a Mixed Bag Qantas International Flights Unlikely to Restart Before July 2021 Amex Scraps $400 Travel Credit for Platinum Reserve Card Qantas Frequent Flyer Quietly Ends Air Niugini Partnership Qantas Selling Care Packs for $25

Qantas may have retired its last active Boeing 747, but there are still two of the "queens of the skies" on display in Australian aviation museums. One of those, a Boeing 747-200, can be found at the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach, Queensland. Qantas has a long and proud association with Longreach, the town where it first started its operations in the 1920s and even manufactured its own aircraft. Today, Longreach is home to the iconic museum that celebrates the history of Australia's national carrier. As well as the Boeing 747, there is a Boeing 707, Super Constellation, DC3, Catalina and other Qantas aircraft and memorabilia on display. In this episode, Matt chats to Tony Martin, the CEO of the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach.   Episode contents: 1:03 - Fortnightly news round-up 10:22 - Interview with Tony Martin   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Qantas Founders Museum   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Virgin Australia to Retain Lounges, Ditch 777s & A330s Defunct Tigerair Loses its Roar Overview of Australian State Border Restrictions Woolworths Relaunches Everyday Rewards ACCC Forces Etihad to Refund Cancelled Flights What Could Oneworld Alliance-Wide Upgrades Look Like? Qantas Dream Planner Sends Real-Time Reward Alerts

This week, Australia said farewell to a national icon: the Qantas Boeing 747. Over the past 49 years, Qantas - once an all-747 airline - has operated almost every Boeing 747 variant that has existed. The "queen of the skies" has transported millions of passengers to destinations all over the world, including Olympic athletes and stranded Australians returning home from disaster epicentres - many years ago from Darwin after Cyclone Tracy, and most recently from Wuhan. Current world events have resulted in an early retirement for the Qantas 747 fleet. Despite the current pandemic, Qantas has still managed to put on three excellent final joy flights for fans of the Boeing 747. In this episode, Matt speaks to some of the passengers that were on board the last ever Qantas 747 passenger flight out of Canberra on 17 July 2020.   Episode contents: 1:12 - Fortnightly news round-up 14:48 - The last ever Qantas Boeing 747 passenger flight departs Canberra 18:32 - Interview with Bindibuys, a passenger on the Canberra 747 joy flight 29:15 - The Customer Service Manager's emotional final speech on the last Qantas 747 passenger flight 34:50 - Ask Matt: How to redeem 500,000 Qantas points for a round-the-world trip   Links: AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions Paul Stewart's YouTube video - Onboard the LAST EVER Qantas Boeing 747 flight - QF0747 'Jumbo farewell flight'. How to Book a Qantas Oneworld Classic Flight Reward   Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up: Velocity Reinstates More Reward Flights, Upgrades Qantas Gifts Status Credits to Frequent Flyers Earn Qantas Status Credits for Hotel Bookings It’s Getting Progressively Harder to Return to Australia Many Fuel Surcharges Remain Excessive Despite Low Oil Prices Woolworths Rewards Launching in Tasmania on 6 August Amex Launches “Plan It” as Qantas Partners with Afterpay Australia is Building a New Airport in Antarctica