Qantas burns a precious resource, Frequent Flyers
July 23, 2008
The new Qantas Frequent Flyer program is really just smoke and mirrors, yes they did make changes and yes its now easier to get seats, and yes its more expensive, fact very very expensive! Business travellers that have buckets of points those on Gold and Platinum status are still left standing what do I do with a million points do I burn them all for myself and leave the family back home these holidays! Paul Sheenan has written a great article this week on the changes to the program read the story Qantas burns a precious resource - Paul Sheehan - Opinion - smh.com.au.
Paul Sheenan highlights - “Had I been wanting to go somewhere else, say San Francisco, on October 15, a round-trip economy class seat was available for 96,000 points, plus $447 in taxes and surcharges, under the existing “classic” scheme. Ditto New York for 128,000 points and $452. Business class? Nothing - unless I used Any Seat Awards, when business class seats suddenly became available for 1,466,421 points, or 750 per cent more than under the “classic” system”
So at the end of day it looks like the only person that gets to use his points will be the high earning, lots of flying single types. I guess thats what the TV advertisment that Qantas are running is pitched at, not the Families and grey men and women that I see on Qantas.
Flight Centre Flys high for Family Holidays
July 22, 2008
It looks Flight Centre are to continue flying high during a time of rising cost of air travel, they are forecasting a 40 per cent lift in annual profit before tax, while forecasting further growth of up to 15 per cent in 2008-09. Read the full story. Flight Centre travels well with higher fares | The Australian
What does this mean to you and your family searching for valued holidays? Well Flight Centre should remain well positioned in the market to offer their quality of service at online prices. They currently have return flights in Business Class to Europe advertised from $3829 and Economy from $1745.
Click Here To Enter Flight Centre’s Website and View products.
A great Family Holiday needs planning
July 21, 2008
Planning a family holiday with kids can sometimes start to feel like a military planning mission for the US marines invading Afghanistan. So what is the best way to go about planning a trip? Read more
Refresh and Refuel
July 21, 2008
Receive a $25 BP fuel voucher for when you return from your Family Holiday which is included in your overnight accommodation for up to 2 adults and 2 children, plus the car also gets 7 days rest with free car parking included in the offer by Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport.
The Refresh and Refuel package provides good value if your are departing from Melbourne Airport on family holiday. Plus kids under 12 stay and eat free.
Find out more or view other package options at Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport
Melbourne Airport Holiday Inn
July 20, 2008
Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport offers convenience and comfort for smart travelling families.
Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport is well positioned next to the terminals at Melbourne Airport. After a great nights sleep wake up relaxed to wholesome buffet breakfast before taking a transfer or leisurely stroll to the airport to starting your families holiday or personal travel.
All 198 rooms inclusive of 8 suites are refurbished in soft earthy tones. Enjoy in house movies and access to high speed internet, plus get restful nights sleep with a slumber pillow menu and very comfortable “Sealy” (its a sealy) beds with clean and crisp linen. All the rooms at Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport are non smoking rooms which is great to know when it comes to getting a good night sleep.
Melbourne Airport Holiday Inn offers the families who are heading on holidays the perfect way to start or finish a family holiday.
Find out more or view other package options at Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport
Flying Visit Package - great value
July 19, 2008
Departing from Melbourne airport on a International Flight. The perfect way to start your family overseas holiday is by staying at the Melbourne Airport Holiday Inn before departure. They now have a Flying Visit package which includes overnight accommodation and buffet breakfast for 2 adults abd 2 children, a 2 pm late checkout if you need it plus a $50 duty free shopping voucher to spend at Melbourne Airport before departure.
Find out more or view other package options at Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport
Family Holiday Budget Value Deals
July 18, 2008
On Average a family can save $240 if they book a total package, this is a great way to help the family save on the family budget, or counteract the rise in fuel prices.
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NRMA to help families with fuel vouchers
July 17, 2008
NRMA step in and assist Australian families who are travelling in NSW or Queensland with the familiies holiday budgets and support families to ensure that they enjoy a cheap family holiday by providing fuel vouchers.
“Families who enjoy a holiday at any one of five NRMA Holiday Parks in NSW or Queensland will receive a $50 fuel voucher to help them combat rising fuel costs and drive their holiday dollar further.
The offer is available to all holiday makers who stay two nights or more in a cabin at an NRMA Holiday Park between 27 July and 31 August. NRMA Director and Chairman of NRMA Holiday Parks, Mr Graham Blight said the NRMA was committed to alleviating petrol pump pain and fighting the battle to keep petrol prices fair for Australian families.”
Family Luxury Waterfront Accommodation
July 15, 2008
Port Stephens an easy 3 hours drive north of Sydney is the perfect destinantion for family holidays.
Located in the Pristine blue waters of Port Stephens family holidays in Australia can have touch of luxury. Peppers Anchorage is a luxury Retreat offering waterfront accommodation overlooking the Anchorage Marina & Corlette Beach. With a total of 80 accommodation rooms, Peppers Anchorage is the ideal venue to escape the hectic city lifestyle & loose yourself along the sandy beaches, explore hidden coves & relax with a glass of wine & a platter of oysters.
It is the personal touches Peppers Anchorage offers that ensure guests return again & again – each room is lined with photographs of the local area, all taken by an aspiring staff member dabbling in photography. Or there is our waitstaff, always looking to have a yarn about the local fishing tournaments or the newest addition to our ever changing menu or perhaps you prefer to drop into our Marina Office to discuss the newest adrenalin activity – perhaps a jetboat ride.
Peppers Anchorage is more than just a Retreat – it is an escape.
This hotel is perfect for families with special activities and services offered for kids – these don’t necessarily have to be onsite eg. The chance to see turtles laying eggs on the beach, the opportunity to feed baby animals etc – Providing the kids with experiential and educational activities are what we are really looking for)
- Peppers Anchorage Marina Office will hire run about boats ideal for exploring the area by water – no boat licence required.
- Toboggan Hill Park – Hours of fun for the kids!
- Oakvale Farm & Fauna World – features bottle feeding & nursing of the baby animals daily. A wonderful experience for children with a large range of native fauna & farm animals.
- Bike Riding - Over 20Km’s of bike riding tracks around the bays, beaches & headlands.
- Port Stephens Beaches & Bays are a draw card for visitors & residents alike. Collect the beach ball & swimmers & head for a favourite!
So if you are after a unique Australian holiday destination you can’t go past the Peppers Anchorage for luxury family holidays outside of the city.
For Details visit www.peppers.com.au
Cheap family holidays, 20% off at FourPoints
July 15, 2008
Interested in luxury family holidays at cheap family holiday prices be sure to checkout Starpicks rates from FourPoints which offer at least 20% off.
Become a free spirit – even if only for the weekend. Offering last-minute deals at some of our favourite hotels and resorts, Starpicks rates reward travellers with more than a great room. Starpicks offers rates of at least 20% off and Starpoints with each booking. The only catch: the rates posted are for the next two weekends for hotels and the next six weeks for resorts – so select a region below and start packing.
Enjoy 20% off worldwide with last-minute Starpick rates at Four Points!
