Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 16 of Travel Pointers!

In Travel Pointers Episode 16, Matt and Wilson explain the winners and losers of the AFF Point Valuations.

After months spent building a detailed model to calculate the average value of a frequent flyer point, AFF has released its first ever Frequent Flyer Point Valuations! Wilson and I developed this model together; we’ll explain exactly how the model works, which frequent flyer programs came out on top, which flopped, and why.

The pair also chat about AFF's brand new look!

Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:

• Qantas boosts points earnings for domestic flights and for those flying premium cabins with status
• Qantas enables Wi-Fi on Trans-Tasman flights
• Velocity introduces trials of Platinum Plus ahead of October changes to status calculation

Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:

• AFF point valuations
• AFF's brand new look and logo
• The Trip Report thread

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 15 of Travel Pointers!

Last week, the Reserve Bank of Australia announced reforms to Australian credit card fees which could have some unintended consequences when it comes to earning frequent flyer points in Australia. We’ll talk about these proposals in this Travel Pointers episode.

Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:

• Qantas will raise domestic change & cancellation fees on 30 July 2025
• Qantas devalues Green Tier
• Live music features in the Sydney Qantas Club
• Cathay Pacific announces changes to Asia Miles and status point earn rates
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club introduces Avios subscriptions (Privilege Club Pro)

Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:

• RBA proposes changes to interchange fees
• AFF annual gathering in Melbourne on 21-23 November 2025
• AFF thread on obtaining a US AMEX card

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 14 of Travel Pointers!

Sorry we missed last month, but we're back to our regular schedule!

In Travel Pointers Episode 14, Matt and Wilson discuss Qantas' new A321 XLR and what it's like flying long-haul on narrow-body aircraft. They also chat about the routes they took from Europe to Australia.

Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:

• Qantas gets hit with a cyber attack, compromising around 6 million people's data
• Oman Air joins Oneworld
• Qantas and Hawaiian Airlines launch new partnership
• Velocity re-opens redemptions on Hainan Airlines, Capital Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines
• Jetstar Asia will cease operations from 31 July 2025
• LATAM removes Sydney-Auckland fifth-freedom route
• China Eastern announces Auckland-Buenos Aires fifth-freedom flights

Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:

• Upcoming webinar about fifth-freedom routes, on 15 July 2025
• Matt's review of TAP Air Portugal A321neo LR Economy Class
• Thread: Would you fly at a less convenient time to get a nicer plane?