Latest news with #SarahFalson
The Advertiser
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
How to get the 'best bang' for your Qantas points before their value plummets
Seats up the pointy end of a Qantas A-380. Picture: Qantas By Sarah Falson Updated July 17, 2025, first published July 16, 2025 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 With this deadline looming, what should you do with your unused points? Hoard them? Splurge? For the uninitiated, the number of points required to book a Classic Reward seat or make a Classic Upgrade request will increase across the domestic and international network (and partner airlines) from August 5. For example, on Qantas-operated flights, a Sydney to Melbourne business class flight will go from 18,400 points plus $55 to 19,300 points plus $76, and a Sydney to London economy flight will go from 55,200 points plus $263 to 63,500 points plus $263. This marks the first increase to Classic Reward seat pricing in six years, so it's a big change for members to get used to. Should you offload your points? The Well Connected Traveller managing director, Mark Trim, said you might be tempted to offload your points with a bit of retail therapy, but that would be a "mistake". He explained using the online frequent flyer shop to purchase technology and other travel items is a "terrible 'burn rate' for your points". Instead, saving up your frequent flyer points for "coveted premium cabins" is the most valuable use of the points. "Using them for economy reward seats is okay, but the comparative value in a premium cabin is far greater compared to purchasing premium cabin seats," Mr Trim said. But if you do want to use your points for short domestic flights, this is "generally a safe and good-value option with plenty of availability," according to Mr Trim. Don't forget to look at carrier charges when looking at reward seat availability, and also look for "any other fees and surcharges when redeeming points as they can be substantial", Mr Trim warned. "Most importantly, don't neglect your points. Points can open up a world of travel, so rather than focusing on how to use your points for 'that trip', check what other premium travel doors those points can be used for," he said. And a final piece of advice: "To use your points balance, it's best to either book as far in advance as possible, or potentially extremely last-minute. "We're now seeing some airlines dropping in points seats on just a few days' notice, or sometimes 1-4 weeks left when they may have a harder time trying to sell remaining inventory on paid airfares. Other than that, thinking in advance and being flexible with your route and destination is key." Firm up your travel plans Point Hacks editor-in-chief, Daniel Sciberras, said if you have confirmed plans for travel, then make sure you book your award flights before August 5 to take advantage of the cheaper pricing. "However, if your plans are not confirmed, you are likely better off holding off booking until your plans are confirmed, even if this means booking at the higher rates after 5 August," he told ACM (the publisher of this masthead). The interior of a Qantas A-380. Picture: Qantas "This is because there is a 5-6k points fee per person to change or cancel a reward seat booking, so you'd only gain from doing a 'best guess' booking before 5 August if you're sure that your confirmed dates will be known before 5 August. "But even if this is the case, there is no guarantee that there would be reward seats available on your new confirmed dates. If this is the case, you'll be up for both a change fee and potential booking after 5 August at the higher prices when reward seats do become available." If you do choose to use your points before August 5, booking reward seats for long-haul premium cabin flights are "always going to drive great bang for your point mathematically," Mr Sciberras said. Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM's travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life. My top travel tip is … Don't plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what's within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
'No excuse' after man exposes himself, hurls phone at Border Force
Drunk Aussies warned after boozy travellers wreak havoc at airport. Australian Border Force. By Sarah Falson Updated July 16 2025 - 12:56pm, first published 12:28pm So you've had a few drinks on the plane coming home from Bali, but that doesn't mean you should make a wally out of yourself and chuck a wobbly at customs. 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 This is the (highly paraphrased) message from the Australian Border Force (ABF) after a string of "unacceptable incidents" at Perth International Airport recently. According to the force, in one incident, a passenger returned on a flight from Kuala Lumpur and appeared to be "heavily intoxicated". It is alleged the man became disruptive and "swore repeatedly" during a baggage search carried out by ABF officers. He then "exposed himself by pulling his pants down on numerous occasions before throwing his mobile phone which hit an officer". Australian Federal Police (AFP) reportedly removed the man from the airport and after an investigation charged the man with common assault, disorderly behaviour in public and two counts of indecent acts in public. The man pleaded guilty in the South Hedland Magistrates Court on May 13, 2025, to the four offences and was fined $1500 and ordered to pay court costs. "There is no excuse for abuse or violence towards Australian Border Force (ABF) officers," ABF has said. In another incident on April 15, 2025, a WA traveller returning from Thailand allegedly became aggressive after being selected for a routine baggage search. When ABF advised they would be seizing a carton of cigarettes the man failed to declare, he allegedly punched a wall, causing a hole. Australian Border Force smart gates. AFP was called and interviewed the man before escorting him from the terminal. He was summonsed to appear in Perth Magistrates Court in August to face a charge of criminal damage, contrary to section 444(1)(b) of the Criminal Code (WA). ABF Assistant Commissioner Chris Waters said this was the third reported incident in a few months, highlighting a disturbing and growing trend of abuse toward ABF officers. "Our officers are hardworking, dedicated men and women, and the ABF has zero tolerance towards members of the public who abuse or assault officers while they are carrying out their lawful duties," Assistant Commissioner Waters said. "Like any of us when we go to work, at the very minimum, our officers deserve to be treated with respect and common courtesy. "Verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated. "There is no excuse. No matter how drunk or tired you are after your flight, we will act swiftly with our law enforcement partners if you behave this way." ABF confirmed the issue of unruly behaviour at customs is not exclusive to Perth airport but is Australia-wide, and they believe the issue is under-reported. The ABF processes around 750,000 passengers entering and leaving Australia's borders through airports every week. Provisional data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows 43.3 million people arrived and left through Australian Border Force (air and sea) during the 2024-25 financial year. Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM's travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life. My top travel tip is … Don't plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what's within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
The airlines offering free Wi-Fi and why Qantas is behind the times
Getting it free on a long-haul economy flight is the new normal. A Qantas aircraft. Picture: Shutterstock By Sarah Falson Updated July 15 2025 - 9:42am, first published 9:16am Airlines are increasingly offering free Wi-Fi to everyone on board. But what if you're travelling on Qantas? They're behind the times. 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 I travelled economy class to Europe recently and three of the four planes I flew on had free Wi-Fi. Staying connected made such a huge difference to my journey. The airline was Qatar Airways, which is now offering free Starlink Wi-Fi to all passengers on all Boeing 777s. You don't need to be a member of their loyalty program - just hook up to the Oryx One Wi-Fi network and you can use online messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger and surf the web - all flight long. So why isn't Qantas offering this? If you fly overseas with our national carrier, you can get free Wi-Fi on some flights, for some of your flight. To explain, some of their planes are equipped with Wi-Fi but only over Australian airspace, so if you're flying to Bali for example, you'll be covered while flying across Australia but then it will cut out once the aircraft exits Australian airspace. They say it's due to satellite coverage and regulatory requirements. So why can an airline like Qatar offer this service all the way? To be fair to Qantas, they do offer Wi-Fi on select flights to and from New Zealand as well. Picture: Jacky Watt/Unsplash Free Wi-Fi is a game changer at 42,000 feet and will now be a factor in my airline choice when flying long haul. Staying connected with family and friends - even so they can text you and give you moral support on your flight ("only 10 hours to go, hang in there!") makes a difference to what can be a lonely and isolating experience - particularly if travelling solo. Here's what some of the major airlines flying to Australia are doing in the Wi-Fi space. As mentioned above, they now offer free Wi-Fi to everyone on board all their Boeing 777s through the Starlink satellite service. They offer satellite Wi-Fi on all enabled aircraft including Boeing 777s. Available for free but only if you are a member of their loyalty program KrisFlyer. If you're in economy class you can access complimentary Wi-Fi but only for messaging with WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and other text messaging services (no internet surfing), and only if you are a member of their loyalty program, Emirates Skywards Blue. You can access free Wi-Fi on flights to New Zealand. You can also get it on select flights to South East Asian destinations including Bali, Singapore and Manila, but only for the portion of the trip that occurs in Australian airspace. Qantas has aircraft on order that will offer Wi-Fi on more international routes in the coming years. Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM's travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life. My top travel tip is … Don't plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what's within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
The Advertiser
10-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Hot tubs, cinema: top luxury holiday homes luring Aussies overseas
Villa Ivana in Dubrovnik, Croatia. By Sarah Falson From eight-bedroom villas in Bali to cave suites in Santorini, Australian travellers are upping their game when it comes to luxury overseas accommodation. 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 When a hotel room just won't do, a holiday home can be just the ticket when you want more space and amenities like a pool, sauna or games room. Aussies have traditionally booked holiday homes for a domestic getaway, but now more are looking to holiday homes overseas to fill their wildest desires. This is according to Stayz which has released its list of top international holiday homes and amenities matter - think saunas, private pools, alfresco dining and expansive terraces. Stayz travel expert Sarah King said more Aussies are booking private overseas stays in Greece, Italy and Croatia. "Increasingly, Aussies are looking for more than just a room to sleep in, they want memorable stays that bring the destination to life and become a trip highlight," Ms King said. "In many instances, these homes offer private views, standout amenities, unique experiences, and sometimes better value than traditional accommodation." Here are some of Stayz's top holiday homes in top international destinations this winter. Queenstown, New Zealand: Enjoy mountain views to die for at this luxury alpine escape in the heart of Queenstown. Lake Panorama Villa has three bedrooms, so grab your besties and enjoy the private outdoor hot tub, outdoor dining area and indoor gas fireplace. Lake Panorama Villa, Queenstown, NZ. Bali, Indonesia: Australia's favourite international holiday spot just got better with this next-level escape in Seminyak boasting eight bedrooms, a private jacuzzi, sauna and cinema. If you can drag yourself away from Villa Vienna, it's also close to Bali's beaches and nightlife. Villa Vienna, Seminyak, Indonesia. Rome, Italy: Stay in a Roman apartment just minutes from the Pantheon. Argentina Luxury Terrace boasts a private hot tub and a rooftop terrace where you can sip sunset aperitivos in the heart of the Eternal City. Argentina Luxury Terrace, Rome, Italy. Dubrovnik, Croatia: An ideal stay for families above the Adriatic in the village of Mlini, Villa Ivana offers panoramic sea views and a private infinity pool and is a short drive from Dubrovnik's Old Town. Popular with families or groups seeking a coastal escape. Santorini, Greece: You can stay in a suite in a cliff in Santorini. Not only that, Cave Suite has a private terrace with a hot tub where you can enjoy sweeping caldera views, minutes to Oia's sunset spots and cafes. Six out of 10 of the top international holiday home destinations are in Europe, showing Aussies will risk jet lag for cultural cities and Mediterranean coastal escapes. Other destinations in the top 10 were Florence in Italy, London in the UK, NZ's Auckland and Crete in Greece. Cave Suite in Santorini, Greece. When it comes to holiday homes, the breadth and choice of amenities can set them apart from hotels and Aussies are looking for pools, parking for their hire car, internet, a washing machine and air conditioning. Couples are the most likely to choose international holiday homes followed by friend groups and then families. The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows more Australians are travelling overseas than before the pandemic. In April 2025, Aussies took 1,044,530 short-term trips, an 8.3 per cent increase compared with the same month in 2024, and 14 per cent higher than the pre-COVID level in April 2019. Indonesia was the most popular destination country, accounting for 13 per cent of all resident returns, followed by New Zealand and Japan. New data from the Japan Tourism Agency shows 2,626,550 Australians descended upon Tokyo between May 2024 and April 2025, up 30 per cent. Australians travelling to Osaka were up 56 per cent and Kyoto rose 33 per cent. April data from Roy Morgan showed 23 per cent of Australians planned to travel overseas in the next 12 months, up from 16 per cent in October 2022 when final pandemic-era restrictions on travel were lifted. However, the data found more Aussies, 57 per cent, were planning domestic holidays, up from 52 per cent a year ago. "Australians have always possessed a deep-seated wanderlust, and these figures confirm our enduring passion for travel," said Roy Morgan head of travel and tourism, Adele Labine-Romain. "While economic factors and confidence levels have certainly been influencing travel decisions for some, the desire to explore remains strong showing a promising future for travel." Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM's travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life. My top travel tip is … Don't plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what's within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
The Advertiser
08-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Sky high hacks: how to avoid the jet lag curse like a seasoned traveller
Picture: Dmitry Ganin/Unsplash By Sarah Falson Updated July 8 2025 - 8:27am, first published 8:26am If you want to know how to avoid jet lag, ask a business traveller. 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 Flight Centre's Corporate Traveller along with fitness app Sweat have shared tips business travellers use to avoid the dreaded headaches and insomnia caused by flying across time zones. Corporate Traveller's global managing director Tom Walley said the business saw a "significant transformation" in passenger activities at altitude. From stretching in the aisles and being more mindful of snacks and water consumption, more people were considering "mile-high health". And corporate travellers have it down pat. "For business travellers, it's particularly paramount to ensure long-haul flights aren't a barrier to productivity - that's where preparation is key," Mr Walley said. "Setting yourself up before you board, whether that's through hydrating, planning a sleep schedule or packing nutrient-dense snacks can make all the difference." The survey showed younger Australians were the most likely to struggle with jet lag for up to seven days or more, with Millennials affected the most, followed by Gen Z. Move every half hour: Sweat co-founder and head trainer Kayla Itsines said even if it's just a walk to the bathroom and back, moving every half hour helps. "You can also keep yourself moving and encourage circulation by doing exercises in your chair such as foot rotations, heel or shoulder raises, and neck stretches," she said. Hydrate and skip the spirits: Bring a reusable water bottle with you and take regular small sips to stay hydrated. This will also help digestion and boost energy levels. This might mean you have to go to the bathroom every half an hour, but Ms Itsines said it was worth it. You might want to book an aisle seat, in that case. Picture: Shutterstock "Staying super hydrated will also help to reduce swelling on long flights," she said. Also, stick to water on long flights, if you can. Alcohol might give you a feeling of relaxation, but ultimately, it will dehydrate your body and make you feel worse when you land. Sleep at the right time zone: Sweat trainer Kelsey Wells said having the time zone of your destination set on your phone will help you switch your body clock to your new time zone as quickly as possible. If it's time to sleep at your destination, try to get some shut eye. Likewise, if they're awake where you're flying to, try to stay awake, too. Get moving when you land: Stick to your usual fitness routine. This might mean using the gym where you're staying, or packing some portable resistance bands. Ms Wells recommended looking for small windows in your day for exercise "snacks" such as morning stretches, lunchtime walks or taking the stairs. Download an app and try an express workout. Walk outdoors in natural light to reset your body clock. Eat wisely: If you can select your in-flight meal ahead of time, choose one with fruit or vegetables and a serving of protein. Ms Wells recommended taking your own food with you on the plane, such as fresh fruit, vegetable sticks, nuts, popcorn or sandwiches. "If jetlag has upset your stomach or digestion when you arrive, stick to lighter meals or foods you're used to for a couple of days," she said. Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM's travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life. My top travel tip is … Don't plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what's within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
