Plaza Premium look to have done a great job, but I can't get past how complex our lounge programs/systems are compared to say UA and AC. (One worldwide membership for all Star Alliance lounges when on a Star Alliance ticket).

I thought the Platinum card only offered Delta and Virgin Australia lounge memberships. If I knew it included lounge memberships with DL, VA and QF I'd feel a little bad about winging about the $1,200 annual fee.

Good point, that American Express could do it cause they were already invested in the airport. I've noticed HSBC are involved with a lot of airports? Macquarie Bank gives you free Hilton Gold status as long as you have their Hilton card.I think you're right that the big two airlines probably woul...

Does anyone think there could be a chance of other loyalty groups, (a hotel chain's platinum members, Westpac/ANZ/NAB Black Card holders etc.) offering to fill the void left by American Express? With the new RBA rules taking the spotlight of points earn via credit cards, I was kind of optimistica...

So I am looking at getting the new NAB Qantas Signature card and a contact at NAB let loose that they may discontinue their Platinum range in favor of new Visa Signature products, (which as expected, do not come with an American Express card).What do the other superheroes in the AusBT universe th...

Has anyone had any experience using ExpertFlyer to see award availability for either code share or alliance partner flights. For example, if I've got VA points to burn and want to get a ticket on DL from NYC to MIA, would it show me availability for those cashing in DL points, or VA points t...

Does anyone know how exactly the new partnership between Qantas? I think it's brilliant marketing for Netflix/Stan/Spotify as if, (as suspected,) you need to sign up for the 30-day trial with each, they will get the credit card details of every Qantas passenger and once the flight is over, those ...

Just wanted to see if anyone can help remind me when the twice a year '15% bonus VA points on transfers' and/or '15% off the number of points needed' usually happens?I've got some American Express 'Ascent' points to burn.

Should be a good service through from Australia to HKG and onto TLV. Did you hear any news on pricing? Or launch specials?It is an amazing place, (regardless of your political or religious orientation, which I won't go into here for obvious reasons). 

I was recently asked a question I thought I'd check in with the AusBT universe to see what everyone's thoughts were. What is the best use for airline points? (I ask this primarily as lowest tier VA and QF flyer). I know the worst option is rumored to be goods from the Qantas/VA store.

So basically they've taken the standard economy, added booking and tighter bag restrictions and will raise the prices of most other economy tickets?Doesn't seem as bad a UA's code named 'where is your god now' economy. 

It's strange that I've seen this before that flag carriers are seen to be particularly expensive at home. I've heard Israeli's say El Al (LY) is over-priced and Singaporean's say SQ is over priced.

I hear your frustration as a fellow hand on heart certified patriot of the lucky country :) However, there's an old adage that says something is only worth what people are willing to pay for it.Yes, that pricing makes no sense on paper. But what we don't know is the variables that some have alrea...

Can't speak to the airline side of things, but knowing the accommodation side, I can say you're probably right to feel suspicious. (Except the Air Asia case where Expedia have an exlusivity deal between them and the airline).According to their hotel partnership contract what they do is charge hot...

Air Berlin (AB). They partner with both QF and VA so you'd get elite goodies in both airlines. As a previous commenter mentioned, if you want to go rouge you could try SkyTeam to round out the holy trinity of aviation. I would suggest Delta (DL) as you'd get goodies with VA.