Aussie discovers ‘game-changing' flight tip for travellers
Olivia Rogers was home-bound to Melbourne when she learnt travellers can access their journey's details by sending their flight number in a text message.
The South Australian turned Melbourne local shared a demo on TikTok using her flight details, after a friend let her in on the feature.
'A friend of mine recently told me a really helpful travel hack, so I'm going to share it with you,' she said.
'All you need is your flight number so it doesn't matter what airline you are flying with or what country you're flying in.
'You're just going to type your flight number in a text message to a friend or family member who is picking you up, or you can send it to yourself.'
After sending the flight number on her iPhone, a hyperlink appears with a button option labelled 'preview flight' which reveals a host of details about her upcoming flight.
Travellers can see a live map of where the plane is situated on the globe, the estimated duration of the flight, the departure time and expected arrival time, aswell as the baggage carousel number.
Ms Rogers hailed the feature as a convenient way to share and access travel information without opening separate browsers.
'It literally tells you everything you need to know and it updates live, even while you're mid-flight,' she continued. Olivia Roger's flight details appeared after sending her flight number in a text message. Credit: oliviamollyrogers
'It will even tell you what carousel to go to, it is a game-changer.'
Ms Rogers' advice caused some divide in the comments section.
'Influencer discovers basic function a lot of people know yet posts like she's re-invented the wheel. 'There's never been a generation that's recorded themselves so often doing nothing of note,' one person wrote.
'What hack??? Every traveller knows it,' another said.
Other travellers were quick to defend Ms Rogers, thanking her for pointing out the useful information.
'So many smarty pants in the comments haha congrats I guess? I travel a lot and I didn't know this so thank you,' one said.
Another added: :Keyboard warriors in the comments section. Thanks for this, super helpful for lots of us that didn't know.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
Bali doubles down on demolishing hotspot
As one of Bali's most iconic surf and tourist hotspots undergoes demolition, authorities have hinted at what might replace the more than 40 businesses along the famous Bingin Beach in Uluwatu. What was constructed over five decades will soon be no longer as construction begins to tear down buildings that have been deemed 'illegal'. Viral footage shows authorities destroying bars with hammers and breaking through locked doors – the home and workplace of more than 300 locals. The hotspot has also been the go-to location for Aussie surfers and backpackers aware some Aussie travellers have had their bookings voided as the demolition begins. It comes as Indonesian authorities deemed the buildings to be illegal and in violation of planning laws, environmental regulations and to be encroaching onto state-owned land. 'The buildings for tourism businesses here are illegal — that's it,' Bali's governor, I Wayan Koster told reporters last week. 'We should not let this practice continue. If we let this go on, Bali will be damaged.' He said after the demolition, they will assess 'what we can do there'. 'Bingin Beach is a prime beach. I'm sure that once it's renovated, it will become an attraction, whether it attracts surfers or something else,' Mr Koster said. 'At the very least, tourists will want to come, and it will contribute to the wellbeing of the local community.' Widespread speculation suggests the removals may be linked to plans for luxury beach club development, similar to those popping up throughout the Uluwatu area in recent years, though this is denied by authorities. @ 😢 end of an era.. goodbye Bingin Beach. Many iconic venues are now being torn down. Was this the best solution? #bingin #binginbeach #bali ♬ lucid - zensei ゼンセー Footage shows Mr Koster wielding a sledgehammer outside the luxury Morabito Art Cliff boutique hotel as he took the first ceremonial swing in the government-issued demolition. Condemned buildings include timber warungs (food sellers), bars with distinctive Javanese joglo-style roofs, and more contemporary accommodations, built into the escarpment on the Bukit Peninsula. Local workers can be seen crying as dozens of officials get to work dismantling the properties. Ombak Warung Bingin, a small, family-owned business, argued authorities 'destroyed hundreds of people' and have left them unemployed. 'Why the rush? Why couldn't you have given us more time? Intimidation, pressure while we try to pack up,' they said in an Instagram post. 'Local, Families, Generations are affected. Tourists came for the Warungs and this unique beach. Where is the JUSTICE! 'Why couldn't there have been a better solution we are all Human and who decides what is right and wrong. Where is the Concrete going to go?' @ pemerintah kabupaten Badung bersama pemprov Bali, membongkar sejumlah vila dan restoran tak berizin di pantai Bingin, desa Pecatu, kecamatan, Kuta Selatan, pada, Senin, 21/7/2025. #SaveBingin #LawEnforcement #PantaiUntukRakyat #BaliBerdaulat #TolakPerusakAlam #TertibkanBali #SaveBingin #beachbingin #bali ♬ Shadows of Us - Gustavo Iltemberg Business owners – including Australian expats – argue the structures predate planning laws, many constructed under the island's traditional adat laws, which give control to the village. One Australian owner, who was warned that foreigners could be deported or jailed for joining protests against the demolitions, admitted the legitimacy of rental agreements was always in question, the Australian Financial Review (AFR) reported. 'We always knew Bingin could be taken away – that's part of what kept it humble. But we didn't think it would happen so quickly,' said the owner, who asked to remain anonymous. Some of the more than 300 locals affected filed a lawsuit against the Badung Regency government. According to the AFR, those bringing the case argue that priority should be given to Balinese adat law, under which many Bingin business owners were granted informal approval or written permission to operate. After weeks of back-and-forth negotiations with desperate business owners attempting to halt the demolition orders, authorities put their foot down. 'It is true that we have received a warrant for the demolition of the violating building at Bingin Beach,' head of the Badung PP Police, I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, told reporters, as per the Bali Sun. 'We immediately sent a notification letter to the owners of the building in question, stating that the demolition will begin on July 21, 2025, and continue until it is completed.' Uluwatu's Bingin Beach has been a pilgrimage site for surfers since the late 1970s, with Australians making up a significant chunk of repeat visitors, and even expats. The beach's world-class barrelling lefts and laid-back atmosphere have made it a go-to within the global surf community, with the breaks Impossibles and Bingin. The demolition notices, issued via letter, posters, and WhatsApp messages, affect 45 buildings, including villas, homestays, restaurants, and other tourist facilities. 'We did this notification in various ways, in order to minimise the reason for ignorance during the execution process,' Head of Investigation Ida Bagus Ratu told local media. Regent of Badung Adi Arnawa said authorities will follow through on the mandate by the Bali Provincial Government despite widespread public outcry. 'Our community in Pecatu is very aware that they carry out activities on the land. So I hope no one comes to say this and that, pretending to be a saviour, to be a hero. People are aware when building on land that does not belong to them, so it is natural for them to leave the land,' Regent Arnawa stated, according to the Bali Sun. Eleven-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater is among those voicing concern on social media. 'Awful to hear and see that the beachfront at Bingin in Bali has been bought up and all the local (eateries) and other businesses will be demolished to make room for some kind of beach club and not sure what else?' he said. 'Bali has been completely mishandled and ruined by foreign interests in recent years. 'I hope something can be done to retain the culture and beauty of what attracted everyone there in the first place.' Bingin Beach is only reachable via steep staircases weaved through the cliffside buildings marked for demolition and the state of future beach access is unclear.
Perth Now
20 hours ago
- Perth Now
American's scathing review of popular Aussie fast food joint
An American woman has shared her thoughts on some popular food chains in Australia as she sets out on a mission to try as many eateries as she can during her time Down Under. Food and travel vlogger Elise tucked into dishes from a selection of eateries in part one of her 'rating fast food chains in Australia as an American' series. 'Been trying all the Aussie chains and here's my ratings on some of them. Let me know your ratings and where I should try next,' the video caption read. The Californian had good things to say about most of the country's takeaway spots she has tried, but not all of them received a rave review — including a venue many Aussies hold with high regard. Here's what Elise had to say about these restaurants: The young American kicked off the series with a review of one of the most quintessential fast food establishments — McDonalds. Elise said the golden arches Down Under reign supreme compared to its American counterpart. She was particularly impressed by the breakfast menu and has even started referring to the fast food giant as 'maccas' in true Aussie style. 'I think it's way better here than in the US, I love the breakfast and the coffee's are so good.' Verdict: 7/10 Adored frozen dessert bar Yochi came out on top for the American, but Elise did admit there was some room for improvement when it comes to the range of flavours on offer. 'Love the butterscotch and the cookie dough but we have a tonne of these in the US,' she said. 'I wish they had more seasonal flavours.' Verdict: 9/10 Elise's Yochi bowl. Credit: TikTok 'Small portions? You mean normal size 😅,' wrote another. Verdict: 7.5/10 'As a southern Californian girl this was absolutely so disappointing,' she declared. 'The chicken was burnt and it (was) mostly all rice, super boring, wouldn't go back two out of ten. 'I got a free burrito from the app and that's the only reason I didn't complain.' Guzman and Gomez stans took to the comments to defend their adored eatery. 'How did you give GYG a 2 bruh,' one offended commentor wrote. 'Giving GYG a 2 is criminal,' a second person added. Verdict: 2/10 Trailing not too far behind with a below average rating was pizza giant Dominos. Elise once again pointed out her disappointment with the small size of the meals. 'Next is Dominos which I have gotten a few times here and the portions are way smaller than the US,' she said, 'They also don't have the same garlic butter crust.' Verdict: 4/10
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Asia's best cheap hotels? Two surprising cities go head-to-head
Street-side eateries in Jakarta. Picture by Shutterstock By Mal Chenu and Mark Dapin Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur both promise buzzing street food, wild shopping and serious culture. But only one of these under-the-radar cities can come out on top. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area Jakarta: The real old soul of Southeast Asia The "Old Town" areas of cities are the best bits, and not just because the designation resonates with travellers of a certain age. (I'm looking at you, mirror.) Kota Tua Jakarta (Jakarta's Old Town) is centred around Fatahillah Square, a lively cobblestoned plaza surrounded by buildings from the Dutch colonial era. Many of these now house bars, restaurants, cafes and museums, including the Wayang Museum, which showcases the famous flat, wooden Javanese puppets that have been performing for longer than the Rolling Stones. Nearby Glodok has been Jakarta's Chinatown for centuries. Here, you can wander the atmospheric jalans (streets), enjoy Sino-Indian tucker and browse the photogenic Petak Sembilan food market. Jakarta offers a richer experience than Kuala Lumpur. One Aussie dollar brings in about 10,000 Indonesian rupiah but only three Malaysian ringgits. A hundred bucks makes you an Indo-millionaire, and there are more than 150 shopping malls and markets to splash your millions in Jakarta, one of Asia's underrated shop-ortunities. In the Menteng district, you'll find the top-end Grand Indonesia Mall and Plaza Senayan, as well as Jalan Surabaya Flea Market, where you can buy antiques, wood carvings and batik, along with remarkably inexpensive Rolex watches. Haggling is de rigueur, and a phrase I remember from my high school Bahasa Indonesia - terlalu mahal (too expensive) - will come in handy, and earn you a bit of jalan cred. For fun, ask for a written guarantee for the "Rolex" and watch the shopkeeper duck like a CEO at a Coldplay concert. Indonesia is rightly proud of its independence. If you thought getting Western Australians on board with Federation was tough, try throwing off the yoke of colonial European and Japanese wartime occupation, and uniting 300 million people spread across 17,000 islands. This incredible story is told at a museum at the base of Monas (the National Monument of Indonesia). The most iconic landmark in Jakarta, Monas is topped with a sculpture of a golden flame, and the 130-metre-high observation deck offers the best views in town. The Selamat Datang Monument is another much-loved sculpture, erected in 1962 to symbolise the nation's sense of identity and opening up following independence. "Selamat datang" means "welcome" and provides a useful segue to greet today's guest co-columnist, Mark Dapin. Mark is filling in for Amy Cooper, who is taking a week off to throw a haggis or some such bollocks with her family in the northern UK. This is a tough first gig for Mark. Kuala Lumpur, which means "muddy river confluence", is steamier than a noodle stall and in desperate need of navigable footpaths. Still, at least he wasn't tasked with defending Kabul, Ryanair or Mark Latham. Kuala Lumpur: The delicious, dazzling, dirt-cheap dream city Props to Mal for defending the indefensible - but that's only ever going to end one way, isn't it? I've always had a soft spot for Kuala Lumpur, and it's somewhere near my wallet. The city boasts some of the cheapest decent hotels in the world: on a good night, you can pick up a queen room at a Hilton Garden Inn for an amazing $44. Good pubs in Jakarta are generally pricier and more business-oriented, because nobody ever goes there on holiday. Malaysian Indian cuisine is the best food on the planet, and ideally eaten from a banana-leaf "plate" at a banana leaf rice restaurant in KL's (very) little India, Brickfields. Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Pictures by Shutterstock Cluey diners will mix and mash a meat curry, a scoop of dahl and a palette of vegetable side dishes into one single glorious affirmation of the supremacy of South Asian spices, and wash it all down with a glass of lime juice. And local Malaysian street food specialties may well be the second biggest collection of edible treats on Earth. Roti canai and murtabak are peerless in the panoply of bread, and you can eat like a sultan of the streets for less than $5. Like Jakarta, KL has a large number of shopping malls. These are not so good for the wallet but great for public toilets, although Nike running shoes are sometimes significantly cheaper than in Australia. Yes, Jakarta has the Monas, an unimaginative and unlovely cloud spike that could only be less attractive if it were topped by a revolving restaurant and a Westfield logo. But KL luxuriates in the Petronas Twin Towers, once the tallest buildings in the world, and still as fine an elongated representation of two duelling daleks as the human mind can conceive. As Malaysia was once a British colony, KL has grand colonial buildings, which often borrow elegantly from "Moorish" traditions. Check out the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the former seat of government, which sits opposite the mock-Tudor Royal Selangor Club. Kuala Lumpur Railway Station is another striking piece of architecture in which, rather fittingly, east meets west. And yes, Jakarta does have a smattering of remnant Dutch colonial architecture, but let's say the silent part out loud, shall we? As everybody knows but nobody has the guts to point out, Dutch colonial architecture is boring. The entire population of metropolitan KL speaks some sort of English, and the city is incredibly safe - unlike Jakarta where a becak driver once chased me into a guesthouse, demanding a higher fare. So I'm sorry, Mal, but like poor Tim Tszyu, you picked the wrong opponent: not in me but in Kuala Lumpur, the city that makes Jakarta look worse than a confluence of muddy rivers.
