Author: Mark

CommBank Awards has added a number of new transfer partners to is rewards scheme. The changes offer members nine new airlines and the IHG Rewards club hotel program. This will give members a greater number of options for their travels. Transfer Partners The following table shows the new and existing transfer partners, together with their transfer rates. Program Transfer Rate Existing Programs AirAsia BIG Loyalty 2.5 Awards points/1 AirAsia BIG Point AirFrance/KLM Flying Blue 3 Awards points/1 Mile China Eastern 3 Awards points/1 point Enrich 3.5 Awards points/1 mile Etihad Guest 3.5 Awards points/1 mile Eva Air 3 Awards points/1…

As of today, July 2, the Fairmont, Swissotel and Raffles brands have joined Le Club AccorHotels. As part of the celebrations of the integration of these brands, members are being offered 1,000 bonus Rewards Points on their first stay in any hotel of the three brands. There are also additional bonus points opportunities when staying in Asia Pacific. Offer Details Firstly, you can gain 1,000 rewards points on your first stay at any participating Raffles, Fairmont or Swissotel worldwide. This is a once off benefit. In addition to the above, there are additional rewards on offer in Asia Pacific hotels.…

I don’t often stay at airport hotels. However, I was in Sydney for one night, and staying at an airport hotel was starkly cheaper than staying in the city. So, the Pullman Sydney Airport was my choice. It is also one of the newer hotels in the Sydney Airport area. Opening in June last year, the 12-storey building has 229 rooms. Location The Pullman is located with a cluster of other hotels, and is about a 15 minute walk from the domestic terminal. Alternatively, there is a shuttle service, which costs $7. This may be good if you have a…

Members of IHG Rewards Club are being offered a discount of 20% or more with breakfast for stays in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. The offer is valid for members booking on the Your Rate plan by July 9, 2018. IHG Rewards 20% Off with breakfast Offer: Winter Sale, 20% off with free breakfast (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea) Booking Dates: 25 June – 8 July, 2018 Stay Dates: Between 28 June and 31 October 2018.  As is often the case with these sales, bookings are prepaid and not refundable. As a…

Marriott Rewards have published their new award charts which come into effect from August 1. As previously noted, on that date the existing Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) and Ritz-Carlton Rewards program are being merged into a single program. Categories The number of points required for a redemption will be largely determined by the category of the hotel. Initially, hotels will initially be placed into one of 7 categories, with an 8th category being added in 2019. At the time category 8 is introduced, the affected hotels will see an increase of 25,000 points per night. Award Charts In…

Priority Pass continues to expand the number of bars and restaurants at Sydney Airport on offer to members. The latest eatery to join the network is Luke Mangan’s Chicken Confidential. This brings the total number of restaurants in the international terminal to 4. Chicken Confidential is a chicken burger operation, and prides itself on being 100% organic. It is located land side in Terminal 1. While the  bars and restaurants are not actual lounges, they may provide a reasonable alternative. They offer members the opportunity to use their membership to get a bite to eat, or have a drink. Under the offer, members of Priority…

Le Club AccorHotels has confirmed that Raffles, Fairmont and Swissotel will be joining the club as of July 2, 2018. From that date, Le Club AccorHotels members will be able to take advantage of the benefits of the program. In emails sent to members over the last week, Le Club AccorHotels has confirmed the previously announced dates for the merger. Bringing the hotel chains into the fold follows the AccorHotels acquisition of the hotel chains back in 2016. As a result of joining Le Club AccorHotels, the existing Fairmont, Swissotel and Raffles programmes will cease to exist at the same…

Restrictions on Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) when flying on an international flight are nothing new. The rules restricting LAGs in hand luggage have been in place since 2006. From June 30, there are additional restrictions in place, and this time it is powder. Specifically, inorganic powder. Organic powders are not included in the new rules. Powder Restrictions First up, this is only for international flights out of Australia. As with the LAGs, there are no restrictions on domestic flights (well, apart from you hand luggage limits overall) From 30 June 2018, anyone flying internationally will only be permitted a…

Westpac has announced a new partnership with Velocity Frequent Flyer offering Points on new Home Loans. The points are available to customers taking out a Home Loan with a new Premier Advantage Package. Under the offer, home loan customers who take out Premier Advantage Package loans of between $250,000 and $1,000,000 will receive 200,000 points. Customers who take out a loan of $1,000,000 or more will be awarded 500,000 Velocity Points. To be eligible, applications need to be submitted between 11 June to 30 September, and settled by 30 November 2018. A $395 annual package fee applies for the Premier…

Adelaide Airport has announced a new project to expand the current terminal. In good news for Velocity members, Virgin Australia will be getting a new lounge. Expanded International Terminal The main focus of the $165 million development is the expansion of the current international facilities. This is aimed at improving the departure and arrival experience of international travellers. As part of the upgrades there will be: a second, longer baggage belt for arrivals, more space for emigration and immigration processing, expanded security screening, a larger duty free precinct for arrivals and departures, expanded dining and retail options, A new common…