Goodbye sky-high credit card fees
TODAY marks the start of a ban on excessive credit card surcharges, and the consumer watchdog wants people to speak up if they think they’re still getting slugged.
Travel
Aussie’s insane work schedule
FIFTY long-haul trips in a year and days that started at 8am and finish at 1am. But it took one really crazy trip to give this businessman a reality check.
Flight Centre is taking over the world
FASTEN your seat belts. Flight Centre is heading for global domination, expanding its online presence and opening flagship stores.
Qantas completes stunning turnaround
BET you wish you worked for Qantas today. The airline just reported soaring profits – and 25,000 of its employees will be thousands of dollars richer.
Qantas rewrites aviation history
QANTAS has posted the best result of its 95-year history and is celebrating with rewards for employees, shareholders and flyers (particularly those who like cricket).
Uber users to be slugged $2 levy each trip
EVERY taxi or Uber car ride in Victoria will soon include a $2 levy per trip to help fund the biggest industry shake-ups in decades.
Uber’s new bid to change our travel
FIRST it changed the way we get from A to B. Now online travel business Uber wants to change who you ride with along the way.
Uber gets green light in Queensland
THE Queensland government will spend $100 million to legally usher in ride-sharing services like Uber, including a “hardship fund” for taxi drivers.
Virgin Australia’s massive loss
VIRGIN Australia has posted a full year net loss of $224.7 million, but says the costs will be outweighed by “significant, ongoing future savings”.
Richard Branson gets his space license
RICHARD Branson is one step closer to lift-off after Virgin Galactic secured its space travel license.
Virgin Australia posts $225 million loss
AUSTRALIA’S second biggest airline is bleeding cash as it struggles to turn its fortunes around, posting a $225 million annual loss statement.
Election wait puts holidays on hold
THE long election campaign followed by a drawn out vote count has left Australian hoteliers counting the cost of the political paralysis.
Uber to be legal in most of Australia
ANOTHER one bites the dust. Uber is about to be legalised in state or territory number five, as ride sharing keeps growing.
Our worst-performing airlines named
THE annual report card into the aviation industry is out, revealing the airlines that received the most complaints from customers in 2015. So who is bottom of the list?
China to control a third of Virgin Australia
CHINA will control at least a third of Virgin Australia as a result of Air New Zealand’s move to sell most of its shares to a Chinese company.
Uber driver’s shock rant
WE’RE not sure how this Uber driver didn’t realise he was crossing the line. His taped rant has gone viral on social media. WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE
The ultimate travel smartcard hack?
HE’S managed to travel more than 1500km for less than $20 due to a travel smartcard loophole but you won’t be able to enjoy the perk for long.
Virgin Galactic: $250k ticket to oblivion?
A PILOT was killed a disastrous test flight crash, but rich wannabe astronauts are still lining up for a spot on Branson’s new space ship.
Credit-card gouge put to an end
THE cost of airfares is set to fall after the Reserve Bank of Australia limited the booking fees and other surcharges companies can slug consumers when using credit cards.
‘We’ll hire a hitman to kill you’
UNPAID work experience is one thing, but in this surprising country, ‘interns’ say they’re overworked, sexually assaulted and even threatened with murder.
Bizarre idea to solve commute congestion
THERE’S a crazy new idea to alleviate the dreaded peak hour congestion and get everyone a seat on the train and bus. All you have to do is play a game.
It’s official: Your free ride is over
THE free-travel perk so many Australian commuters have been using will soon be a thing of the past.
Did this Uber driver cross the line?
AN UBER driver threatened with expulsion from the ride sharing platform for “a disruptive incident” says they were just exercising their rights.
Virgin ups its economy game
THE class divide at altitude continues to fracture into ever-smaller segments, with Virgin Australia offering a new Economy Space Plus category on its 13-hour flight to LA.
Most annoying thing about taxis fixed?
CATCHING a cab may be about to get slightly less frustrating. The taxi industry desperately wants passengers to trust it again.
Free Opal trips to end under new plan
COMMUTERS can kiss goodbye to free travel after eight journeys in a week under a new plan that coulds see you pay a lot more to catch the bus and train.
Fresh Uber price war erupts with rival
UBER is no longer the cheapest way to catch a ride home, with a new rival undercutting the ridesharing giant.
Could new price hike finally kill off taxis?
TAXI drivers struggling to make a buck in a market dominated by Uber could begin charging a “max peak booking” charge on weekends and public holidays.
Restaurant sells $30,000 bottle of cognac
THE 400-year-old restaurant that claims to have debuted the fork and inspired Disney’s Ratatouille is auctioning a slice of culinary history.
Overseas luxury here at home
TRAVELLERS no longer have to head to Asia for five-star luxury under $200 a night. Two of the cheapest destinations in the world are right here in Australia.
Virgin joins Qantas in slashing seats
VIRGIN Australia will take the knife to seats on regional routes as it struggles to turn a profit in a “challenging operating environment”.
The jobs killer is coming
ONE of the most exciting tech advances on the horizon could have dire consequences for Australia, ripping communities apart.
Uber launches ‘the Katter option’
IF YOU log onto the Uber app in Queensland today, you’re in for a nasty surprise.
Icon is ‘ugly’ and full of ‘tossers’
IT ATTRACTS millions of tourists but our iconic beach has been slammed by a promiment radio host as needing a “hose down”.
Europcar fined for dodgy contracts
THINK hire car agreements are confusing and dodgy? You’re not the only one. Europcar has been ordered to cough up $100,000.
Big problems with ‘contactless’ cards
FRAUD, lost cards and something called “card clash”. These are just some of the concerns coming your way, commuters.
UberEats delivery put to the test
THE new UberEats app is live, offering restaurant fare delivered to your door. Here’s what happened when we tried it.
Looming election ends travel boom
THE tourism boom on the back of the weaker Australian dollar has been cut short by election jitters — leading Qantas to cut back on domestic capacity.
Qantas shares plunge over axed flights
QANTAS shares have taken a dramatic plunge after the airline axed its plans to add more flights in the face of weakened demand.
Applicants quizzed on sexual preferences
PEOPLE applying to be train drivers in Melbourne were hit with some very personal questions when they submitted their details online.
Uber to be legalised in South Australia
RIDE-sharing platform Uber is steam rolling ahead with its national legalisation agenda, with South Australia the next state flagging new laws.
Coles’ slap in the face to Woolies
WOOLWORTHS caused customer outrage when it dumped Frequent Flyer — so Coles is getting into the travel business.
The worst types of Uber passengers
WHEN you’re diarising your life as a Uber driver, one thing is certain: there’ll never be a shortage of juicy content.
Filthy vans told to clean up their act
WICKED Campers is under fire again for another offensive slogan, but this time a man has taken direct action.
‘We’re a partner not a predator’
WITH six succinct words, Etihad Airways’ CEO James Hogan shot down talk of Virgin Australia becoming an Arab-owned airline anytime soon.
Radical solution to housing crisis
RENTING a city pad is expensive, especially when you’re only there to eat and sleep. So this group came up with a drastic solution.
You can rent this tiny shack for a steal
IT’S JUST 2.5m wide and 4m high, but this tiny shed is up for grabs as a holiday rental.
Your Uber ride is about to go next level
FIRST they charmed us with cheaper rides, bottled water and breath mints. Now Uber is taking things to the next level.
Australia’s biggest airport rip-off
THE consumer watchdog has confirmed what we all knew: airports are laughing all the way to the bank. And the winner is …
Should I ‘blow the taxi up tonight’?
TAXI driver asked terrified passenger how he could get “an ISIS visa”, and bragged he could’ve “done a better job” than the terrorists in the Paris attack.
Why Airbnb is about to take over
THE game-changing website has already won over holiday-makers. Now it’s aiming to persuade business travellers to ditch five-star hotels for funky homes.
‘Uber-killer’ app given green light
THE competition watchdog has given the green light to the taxi industry’s answer to Uber, after initially threatening to block the app.
Travel card loophole closed
THE sneaky trick that allowed savvy passengers on NSW’s public transport to game the ticketing system has been shut off for good.
Airbnb lets neighbours dob in bad renters
PLANNING a big party at an Airbnb pad? You might want to think again now that the holiday letting business is encouraging neighbours to dob you in.
Is this man a hero or villain?
HE’S a silent avenger. Dennis Nicholl was arrested last week for fulfilling the dreams of many commuters: silencing mobile phone conversations.
Is Flight Centre a price-fixer?
COMPANY’S $11 million price fixing dispute with the competition watchdog is heading all the way to the High Court.
Confessions of a female Uber driver
“I’VE had a few numbers left in my Uber guest book.” Grace Owen is a ballerina, a DJ and a part-time Uber driver — and she loves it.
Overseas visitors spent $1m a day
THE cheap Aussie dollar is proving to be the best thing to happen to the tourism industry with international tourists splurging $1 million each day in 2015.
Airbnb renters find corpse in garden
THIS lovely Paris rental is near a forest and comes with seven bedrooms, a swimming pool — and a badly-decomposed body.
High-speed Wi-Fi for Qantas passengers
QANTAS celebrates record half-year profit result by announcing the first in-flight Wi-Fi trials on domestic flights and a $500 million share buyback.
Most annoying Uber problem solved
THIS man claims he has the solution to the most frustrating part of being an Uber rider. But will it really save you cash?
Domestic travel driving up airline profits
QANTAS is poised to post a half-year profit today ten times bigger than rival Virgin Australia – and it’s only going to get better for the Flying Kangaroo.
Uber settles ‘safe’ ride lawsuit for $40m
WHEN you pay extra for a ‘safe’ ride home, you really don’t want a convicted murderer at the wheel.
Bus signs 40 years out of date
COMMUTERS could be waiting a long time for a bus in this suburb with old signs listing bus routes which have been out of service for up to 40 years.
Demand for engineers will intensify
A GROWING aerospace industry in Asia means demand for engineers is only going to increase. But experts say there is not enough students to fill the void.
Chinese New Year: Seize the chance
THERE are a few simple changes Aussie tourism operators can make to cash in on the Chinese visitor boom — expected to reach lofty new heights with an important festival.
What’s with Uber’s new logo?
IT’S ONE of the world’s most recognisable brands, but Uber has changed its logo — and it’s confusing the hell out of people.
Angry Uber drivers on strike
HUNDREDS of fired up Uber drivers have gathered in protest against recent fare cuts, which they say is taking money from their pockets.
Is Uber really better than taxis?
A NEW report has looked into the reasons why people prefer to catch UberX, and the taxi industry isn’t happy.
Uber delivers $80m in benefits
UBER is delivering benefits of more than $80 million to Australian consumers as users flock to the new and cheaper travel service.
Jetstar ‘abandons’ couple at airport
KATIE Burgess should enter The Amazing Race. They’ve had the training, courtesy of Jetstar, which left her “completely abandoned” at an airport.
Uber driver pulls gun on passenger
AN UBER driver has been charged with assault after he pulled a handgun on a drunken passenger who he feared would vomit in his $100,000 Lexus.
How Uber monitors its drivers
UBER has revealed it has been using smartphone technology including gyrometer and GPS data to monitor its drivers more closely.
Get food delivered to your beach towel
GOLD Coast meter maids are part of controversial new food delivery service that will change your beach experience.
Race to fill your car for $1 a litre
PETROL prices have plummeted so low, they could actually put servos out of business. But if you don’t fill up now, you’ll soon pay much more.
Federal Police powerless to stop Uber
UBER drivers are operating right under the noses of the Australian Federal Police but authorities are powerless to stop it.
The best news yet for Airbnb
IF YOU were thinking of renting out your spare room to backpackers but were worried about falling foul of the law, things could be about to change.
Taxis cause chaos to ban Uber
MORE than 100 taxis are blocking traffic in downtown Budapest, demanding a ban on Uber and other ride-hailing apps.
Uber driver ditches woman in labour
UBER is under fire after one of its drivers abandoned a woman in labour on the pavement — and then charged her anyway.
Uber’s hated feature to spread
UBER has changed the way we pay to get places, and not always for the better. Now taxis could follow their rival’s lead.
Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/travel/page/44