As the international border reopens, some Australians are starting to book overseas trips using their frequent flyer points. But post-pandemic award travel is a bit different – the pandemic has turned award availability on its head, and Australians are also using their points to travel to different places than before.

In this episode, Matt chats to James Green from Frequent Flyer Solutions about what’s changed for people using their points to book international flights in and out of Australia. Matt also takes a deep dive into some of the arbitrage opportunities to save significant amounts of points by using alternative frequent flyer programs to book Qantas and Virgin flights.

Plus, Matt provides an overview of which Australian states & territories are now open, when the rest are expected to open, and the current COVID-19 requirements for interstate travel.

Episode contents:

• 1:10 – Fortnightly news round-up
  
• 8:47 – One by one, Australian states are reopening for quarantine-free travel
  
• 14:29 – Where to get a COVID-19 test for travel
  
• 17:02 – International border update
  
• 19:11 – Interview with James Green: Using points to book international flights in 2022 & new post-pandemic award flight trends
  
• 30:30 – Listener question: Opportunities for arbitrage when redeeming frequent flyer points
  
• 39:26 – Round-up of loyalty program promos expiring soon
  

Links:

• AFF on Air Discussion thread – a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions
  
• Overview of Australian State Border Restrictions
  
• New Zealand Will Reopen to Visitors from May 2022
  
• Where to Get a Pre-Flight COVID-19 Test in Australia
  
• Award Flight Assist
  
• Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar: Fly Overseas on Points in 2022 (8 December 2021)
  

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

• New Qantas Frequent Flyer Green Tier Rewards Sustainability
  
• Qantas & Accor Launch Loyalty Program Partnership
  
• Optus Dials Up Qantas Points
  
• Rex Adds Brisbane to Relaunched Jet Network
  
• How to Get a $32 Jetstar Business Class Seat Upgrade
  
• St George Credit Cards Cap Qantas Points
  
• Qantas Routes India Flights via Adelaide
  
• Qantas Gold Status Fast Track is Back!