Value of Virgin points is under threat
With rumours on what Virgin Australia will look like following the resignation of the airline’s CEO, the big changes are causing panic among frequent flyers.
Money
Hidden fee that could be slugging you
It’s been six months at least since we last went overseas and as the travel ban continues, this monthly charge could be an extra hit you don’t need.
‘Stingy’: State’s travel plan slammed
After announcing borders may be open to NSW visitors this week, South Australia’s new travel voucher scheme has been panned for not really hitting the mark.
Points strategy that might have ended
Virgin Australia officially has a new owner, but still faces an uphill struggle to turn itself around. But the battle has only just begun.
Closing borders ‘good for our economy’
The economic impact of border closures has been seen as potentially catastrophic, but there could be a surprising $18 billion boost in it for us.
How Frequent Flyer points will change
Before 2020, frequent flyer points were one of the best ways to score free travel upgrades. But what will they be worth post-pandemic?
How to earn Velocity points amid Virgin woes
As Virgin Australia searches for someone to rescue the airline, many customers are asking a simpler question: Can I keep earning points?
Cheapest way to have an island holiday
ASH London knows a thing or two about having an awesome time on a tiny budget. She’s just spent five weeks on a remote tropical island.
Two words that could cost you thousands
When it comes to navigating whether or not to travel amid the global coronavirus outbreak, it’s a minefield. This just makes things even trickier.
How to avoid hotel price hikes
PRICES always go up over the holidays. But if you know where to book, you can avoid those eye-watering surge prices.
More bad news for Fly365 customers
In the wake of Australian online travel booking agency going into liquidation, there’s bad news for impacted travellers chasing thousands of missing dollars.
Big mistake that led to Virgin’s nosedive
Virgin is losing money by the millions, with hundreds of jobs and flight routes on the chopping block. It’s all down to one bad decision.
Downfall of ‘appalling’ travel agency
UPDATE: A travel agency that collapsed just before Christmas leaving customers thousands of dollars out of pocket has gone into liquidation.
Surprise things travel insurers don’t cover
We think insurance will help with all kinds of holiday mishaps. But common things, from asthma to IVF pregnancy and even theft, may leave us high and dry.
I paid for someone’s flight without realising
Travel expert Angus Kidman is very careful when it comes to frequent flyer points, but even he fell victim to a devastating hack. Here’s how.
$3.50 hack frequent flyers swear by
YOUR caffeine addiction can actually fuel your travel addiction. Here’s how the points insiders turn their daily fix into a holiday bonus.
Hidden currency rip-off costing Aussies millions
The ACCC is warning Australians about massive foreign currency exchange fees after a damning report revealed how much we’re being ripped off.
The dumbest thing to buy at the airport
This frequent flyer thought he was beyond being shocked by extreme prices at the airport – but this example really takes the biscuit.
This is the world’s most powerful passport
A new ranking of the world’s most powerful passports has been released, and a surprising plunge suggests bad times to come.
$237 you could be wasting every week
Whether it’s a short trip or long-haul journey, we all want more bang for our buck when we travel. Here are the top strategies for making it happen.
Uber passenger’s $990 mistake
Ashleigh was out in central London when she ordered an Uber to take her home. She never thought it would be the most expensive ride of her life.
The $500 you’re wasting on holidays
A money expert is warning the average Australian traveller is losing $500 a trip through these avoidable mistakes.
Stupid thing insurance scammer missed
A Queensland man thought he’d come up with the perfect plan for a fake $9000 insurance claim. This is how he was easily outsmarted.
Reply to this text from your bank
This savvy traveller thought she was outsmarting a scam artist when she ignored this text while overseas. That was a $5000 mistake.
‘Disappointing’ blow to Virgin passengers
The way we earn Virgin Australia’s Velocity points is about to change after the airline was dumped by major points trading partner BP.
You need to spend those Qantas points now
Qantas’ unpopular changes to points redemption are about to come into effect. If you’d been saving them for something special, you have to act now.
Insane airport rip-offs exposed
Airports are notoriously expensive, but some charges are downright outrageous. Here’s how airports slug travellers who don’t think ahead.
Sneaky reason your theft claim could be denied
A travel insurer says Australians are often surprised to learn of a clause in holiday insurance policies that may mean loss and theft aren’t covered.
Worst travel website revealed
The boss of a popular travel comparison website has put the site “under review” after its poor performance in a consumer group report.
Simple booking hack can save you heaps
Airfares have been rising over the past year, making holidays extra expensive. But this easy, expert tip promises to shave a massive chunk off the cost.
Woman roasted over honeymoon fund
A woman questioning whether or not to donate to a honeymoon fund has been criticised for being “judgy” about the couple’s wedding wishes.
ATO’s crackdown on Aussies overseas
Australians living or set to head overseas have been warned they can’t dodge loans simply by moving away from the country.
Letter reveals scammer’s simple mistake
A fraudster tried to pull off a $7000 travel insurance scam — but was exposed by a crucial error in the dodgy evidence he gave his insurer.
‘You’re kidding’: Fury at Telstra’s change
Australia’s biggest telco has announced big improvements to its mobile plans, but this hidden sting has many Telstra users fuming.
Aldi’s insane suitcase sale is back
Aldi’s suitcases are famous for being as good as the super-expensive major brands — and now’s your chance to snag some for well under $100.
Shock reality behind Bali paradise
It sounds like the ultimate dream. Live in a beachside abode for cheap while getting paid thousands. But there’s a dark side to this hidden corner.
Woman’s fury over $133 cafe bill
A woman has left a scathing review after being served a $AU133 bill for a couple of soft drinks and a milkshake while on holidays.
Sneaky money trick backfiring on Aussies
Australians are swapping advice on Facebook about how to drive down the cost of living, but it’s risky — and ruining things for the rest of us.
Weird things you can claim on travel insurance
There are many bizarre mishaps that not only can go wrong on holiday but have gone wrong. But many Aussies don’t realise they can get their money back.
$99 Aldi suitcase best bargain yet
Aldi has pushed designer luggage brands off their podium with its sleek, cheap luggage range — and people are racing to snag one.
How I got an airline to pay me nearly $1000
A traveller, frustrated by a delayed flight, discovered a little-known secret that saw the airline pay her nearly $1000. And it was dead easy.
Flyer’s ‘ingenious’ hack to avoid $120 fee
A passenger found a clever, last-minute method for avoiding a hefty luggage charge — and it was so good, even the airline was impressed.
Ridiculous travel fee you’re falling for
There are a number of creative ways hotels and airlines are slugging you extra — without you even realising it. Here’s what to watch for.
Ad lands travel company in hot water
A popular travel company is in the firing line after the ACCC claimed it misled customers out of millions with dodgy passes.
Former maid slammed over ‘tips’ request
It’s the contentious area that often catches many travellers out. A former maid has slammed tourists, revealing how much they should get tipped.
Simple way to hack yourself 1000 Qantas points
Qantas is handing out 1000 points for doing basically nothing — all you have to do is make a simple inquiry.
Insurance hack saves Bali tourist thousands
Steve Kokich was in for a $43,000 medical bill after a motorcycle accident in Bali — if it wasn’t for a last-minute call from his mum.
Booking mistake costing us hundreds
A simple mistake is costing Australian holiday-makers an extra $400 on our airfares. Here’s the easy way to stop getting suckered into paying more.
Click Frenzy deal that will save thousands
The Click Frenzy Travel sale has landed, with hundreds of deals still up for grabs. But there’s one saving that trumps them all.
Duty-free items ripping you off
We all think duty-free prices are cheaper than outside the airport. But we’ve been fooled — especially on these popular but ridiculously overcharged products.
Drop everything: $199 flights to Hawaii
It’s a flight price so ridiculously affordable we had to do a double take. If you’re on a budget and need a holiday, this might just be the best news ever.
Travel tip that will score you thousands
Airlines are working hard to win us over right now. Australia’s frequent flyers say these are the deals that will get you free flights, free upgrades, and lavish perks.
Qantas is giving away points for free
This is the easiest possible way to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points we’ve ever heard — literally by sleeping.
Why you will now pay to leave Japan
When it comes to travelling, rarely can you get away with a cheap trip — especially overseas. From today, you’ll now be paying even more before leaving Japan.
Fury over hotel booking site ‘scam’
Furious travellers are accusing a booking website of scamming them as it suddenly cancelled all their reservations and refused to return their money.
Magic time you should book in your trip
A study has pinpointed the precise time in the week you’ll find the best deals on holidays. But there’s a pretty big catch.
Surprising thing travel insurance won’t cover
We assume our policies cover us for anything, but did you notice this common item is often missing from the list?
Hack to survive on weak Aussie dollar
THE Aussie dollar sucks right now. But experts have revealed a trick that will save you money when you’re overseas.
‘Cheap’ flight that ended up costing $3K more
HE’D saved hundreds scoring cheap airfares for his annual family holiday. Then things started to go expensively pear-shaped.
Sneaky ways airlines get us to pay more
AIRLINES have found new ways to slug us with extra fees. And this is the extraordinary amount of money they’re earning from it.
How tourist was tricked out of $6600
HE POPPED into a local shop for a bite to eat. But upon his return home, this shocked traveller discovered an enormous bill.
Jetstar flights up for grabs from $35
THE budget airline is offering dirt-cheap prices on flights to a range of Australian cities and top international destinations. But there’s a catch.
Shocking Bali scam exposed
KRYSTAL Nikol was tricked out of hundreds of dollars on a Bali holiday. When she warned others, the scam was revealed.
Spelling errors exposed a fraud
IT’S the cheeky move that many travellers have been tempted by, but it’s contributing to a $2.2 billion problem for all Australians.
You should book your Xmas holiday now
WE ALL want to save big bucks on our summer getaways. The experts say this is the best way to do it.
Trivago accused of misleading ads
TRIVAGO has long claimed it offered the “best prices” on hotels. But the nation’s consumer watchdog says customers have been deceived.
Best travel money cards revealed
HERE’S a list of the Top 10 best travel money cards to use when holidaying in the United States and Europe, revealing the least withdrawal fees.
Australia’s biggest travel sale on tonight
GET your credit cards ready, folks — the travel sale we’ve been waiting for kicks off in hours.
Tourist’s fury over outrageous bill
ALL he wanted was two small coffees and two bottles of water. And when he complained about the massive bill, the cafe blamed him.
Sneaky trick deceives tourist
THIS Australian tourist was gleefully exploring Rome when she fell victim to a common trick – and got robbed twice within 48 hours.
Tourists tricked into paying for nothing
UNWITTING visitors are being made to pay extra to visit free public spaces at this popular destination, with some ending up forking out hundreds for nothing.
Australians hit with massive, sneaky fees
UNSUSPECTING Australian travellers are being hit with fees that could cost more than their trip if they choose this option when heading overseas.
Routes that are ripping us off
THERE are two cities that offer Aussies the best bang for buck with airfares, and one city that’s burning a big hole in our wallets.
Airfares are about to get more expensive
AIRLINE bosses are worried about escalating fuel costs and yep, they say it might have to come to this.
World’s cheapest airlines revealed
WE LOVE to complain about how expensive flights from Australia are. But this new graph shows we are very wrong, and actually have a pretty good deal.
Airport price rip-offs exposed
IT’S no secret that the prices get bumped up a bit when you are at the airport. But how much extra are you really paying?
Outrageous $80 menu trap I fell for
IT WAS the budget blowout this traveller hadn’t planned for on a dream island holiday and it could happen to you.
Little-known trick to earning points
HE’S crunched the numbers of Australia’s most popular airline schemes, and come up with the lesser-known, cheaper way to earn points.
This will change the way you book flights
BEEN dreaming of that getaway to Bali, or Thailand, or America? From tonight, it will be even easier to make it happen.
What to do with leftover holiday cash
MOST of us are returning from overseas travel with a burden we can’t seem to shake. And it’s a very expensive burden to live with.
Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/money/page/3