Latest news with #AngusKidman
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Major Qantas change to value of Frequent Flyer Points hits millions today
Millions of Aussies will find their Qantas frequent flyer points are worth less from today. Customers will now need up to 20 per cent more points for rewards seats and upgrades, following major changes made to the loyalty program. Qantas said this was the first time in six years that it had changed the value of its points. While the exact increase varies, the devaluation is between 5 and 20 per cent, plus Qantas is also increasing fees and surcharges for business and first class seats. Finder travel expert Angus Kidman told Yahoo Finance a single Qantas point used for Classic Rewards was previously worth 2 cents for Economy flights and 8 cents for Business flights. That value is now "set to decline significantly". RELATED Compensation sought for millions of Qantas customers hit in major cyber data breach ATO warns workers after tax return estimate promises $3,442 refund Commonwealth Bank reveals LMI home loan changes for borrowers A Sydney to Melbourne economy class seat will go from 8,000 points and $55 in fees, to 9,200 points and $55 in fees. A business class seat previously set you back 18,400 points plus $55 in fees, and will now be 19,300 points plus $76 in fees. Sydney to London economy class will increase from 55,200 points plus $263 in fees, to 63,500 points plus $263 in fees. A business class seat will go from 144,600 points plus $473 in fees, to 166,300 points plus $648 in Loyalty CEO Andrew Glance said the changes were necessary to sustain and grow the loyalty program. 'These adjustments will ensure we can continue to invest in enhancing the program for the long term and continue to grow the levels of Classic and Classic Plus Reward seat availability for members year on year,' he said. Qantas said it had seen a record number of points redemptions on flights in the last 12 months. Qantas Frequent Flyer is one of the country's biggest loyalty programs with more than 17 million members. While the value of points has decreased, it is still possible for savvy travellers to find good deals. "My two key tips: don't be obsessed with flying Business class, and look into flying to regional locations—those seats are often very expensive to buy but aren't as pricey as a Qantas Classic Reward," Kidman said. "And don't fall for the trap of paying any carrier charges using Qantas Points—that's a waste of money." Qantas releases more rewards seats Qantas has today announced the release of 400,000 new Classic Rewards seats across its international and domestic network, including its premium cabins. The majority of these seats will be on Points Planes, where every seat across all cabins can be secured with points. The airline has also reduced the number of points required to book a reward seat on Jetstar domestic flights within Australia and New Zealand, with flights available from 5,700 points one way, down from 6,400. "We're releasing thousands of Points Planes and hundreds of thousands more reward seats, with a particular focus on boosting premium cabin availability to some of our most popular destinations," Glance said. Customers will also be able to earn up to 25 per cent more Qantas Points for domestic flights. For example, a Bronze member flying from Sydney to Perth in economy wold earn 1,815 points, up from 1,450 points. The change comes after millions of Qantas customers had their personal information compromised by a major data breach on June 30. The airline revealed that 5.7 million customers were impacted, with 4 million having their name, email and frequent flyer details impacted. Of the remainder, about 1.3 million had residential and business addresses compromised, 1.1 million their date of birth, 900,000 phone numbers, 400,000 their gender, and 10,000 their meal preferences in to access your portfolio
News.com.au
30-07-2025
- News.com.au
Warning for Australian tourists in Japan, Hawaii amid tsunami threat
Australian tourists in beloved overseas destinations, including Japan and Hawaii, have been warned as widespread tsunami alerts are issued. It comes after the world's biggest earthquake in 14 years, a massive magnitude 8.8 shock, struck east-southeast of Kamchatska, off the coast of Russia, about 9.24pm (AEST). The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has also added Australia to its advisory, reporting that waves reaching 0.3 to one metre are possible along the coast. However, the Bureau of Meteorology says there is no tsunami threat to the country. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, through its Smartraveller advice website, has warned Aussies of a 'Pacific wide tsunami warning' extending to Japan, Hawaii, parts of the west coast of North and South America, Alaska, parts of South East Asia, Guam and all Pacific islands. 'If you're in the affected area, move to higher ground immediately. If there's an official evacuation warning, immediately follow the advice of local authorities,' it urged. Changing travel plans Angus Kidman, travel expert at insurance comparison website Finder, told thankfully many travel insurance policies will provide cover for natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis. 'However, any travel insurance policy purchased after a known event starts won't provide cover for that event,' he warned. 'If your travel is disrupted because of a natural disaster, you'll need to have already had your travel insurance policy in place to make a claim. 'That's why it's so important to get travel insurance as soon as you book your flights or accommodation. That way anything that disrupts your travel between booking and starting your trip can still be covered. 'Keep receipts for any expenses incurred and contact your insurer as soon as possible.' Jess Strange, chief customer officer at Southern Cross Travel Insurance, told travellers should speak to their insurance provider where possible to ensure they are covered for changes made to their trip. 'If you're on holiday and a disaster strikes, the most important thing to keep in mind is your safety,' she said. 'Follow the instructions of any officials or emergency personnel and seek medical attention if you need it. 'If you need to change your travel plans to get home, contact your airline or tour operator in the first instance. 'If you're concerned about what costs you're covered for, it's important where possible to speak to your travel insurance provider before making any changes. That way, you can be confident if there are costs that your airline can't reimburse you for, get in touch with your travel insurer to find out what they can cover.' Ms Strange also recommends keeping any cancellation notifications from your airline, including emails, along with receipts for any expenses incurred by the event, such as accommodation and meals. 'You'll need to submit these with any claim,' she said. She added Southern Cross Travel Insurance is monitoring this particular situation and is 'likely to cover any claims for travellers already in the affected areas, who have departed on their journey or who have already purchased a policy for travel to this region'.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aldi price warning as supermarket finally offers online delivery: 'Don't assume'
Aldi is heating up its fight against Coles and Woolworths by announcing it will offer online grocery delivery through a partnership with DoorDash. The German supermarket chain has launched the trial in Canberra today and plans to roll out the service across the country in the coming months. More than 1,800 products, including fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood, dairy, bread and household essentials, will be available for delivery. Aldi has confirmed there will be 'some price variances' for customers shopping via the app compared to in-store, plus DoorDash will apply delivery and service fees. Finder money expert Angus Kidman told Yahoo Finance it made sense for Aldi to partner with a third-party delivery service such as DoorDash, given it has long said it would not be expanding into online shopping itself as it would undercut its position as the cheapest supermarket. RELATED Aldi wins supermarket price war as Coles, Woolworths, IGA left in the dust Commonwealth Bank, Westpac reveal major payment change for millions of customers CBA, NAB, ANZ reveal $200,000 move borrowers making after RBA interest rate cuts 'It doesn't want the full-blown overheads involved with setting up broad-scale delivery as Coles or Woolworths have,' Kidman said. 'Using DoorDash means no additional labour costs, while still letting it compete with the big two for customers who do want a delivery option. As well, Aldi has had a partnership with DoorDash in the US since 2023.' Aldi Australia chief commercial officer Jordan Lack said Aldi's mission has been to deliver 'high quality groceries at the lowest prices for Australian households' since it entered the Australian market back in 2001. 'Through our partnership with DoorDash, we can now literally deliver on this mission directly to Aussies' doorsteps in an exciting new way that we know our customers have been seeking,' Lack has consistently been named the cheapest supermarket by CHOICE's government-funded supermarket price survey. For the March report, a basket of items cost $55.35 at Aldi, $58.92 at Woolworths, $59.22 at Coles and $69.74 at IGA, excluding specials. The average household has reported spending $233 per week on groceries in June, according to Finder, which was up 27 per cent from $184 per week in June last year. Aldi products on DoorDash will cost more than those in-store and be subject to service and delivery fees, but the supermarket claimed its base pricing meant it would still be the most affordable option for online supermarket shoppers. 'It is our intention to make sure that we are the most affordable alternative whether that is bricks and mortar or buying online,' Aldi said. DoorDash delivery and service fees are standardised across all grocers, 'no matter which grocery supermarket you are buying through". Kidman told Yahoo Finance shoppers shouldn't automatically assume Aldi offers the best price when online shopping. He noted Woolworths and Coles did not mark up pricing on items delivered directly from the supermarket, but they did come with longer turnaround times and delivery fees. 'Would an Aldi delivered shop be cheaper than one from Woolworths? For store-brand goods, all three supermarkets aggressively price match, with Aldi sometimes coming in a few cents cheaper,' Kidman said. 'If the delivery fee was low enough, it might come in cheaper, but I wouldn't automatically assume that. 'One challenge Aldi faces is substitutions. If an item isn't in stock, it almost never has an alternative brand, so some shoppers will be disappointed.' Coles and Woolworths also have partnerships with DoorDash and UberEats for on-demand deliveries. Coles previously confirmed it adjusted the price of products available through the delivery platforms to reflect the convenience of the services and said this was in line with other retailers. Online grocery accounts for nearly 11 per cent of the overall grocery market, according to E&P analyst Phillip Kimber. Online sales for Woolworths and Coles rose 20 per cent and 22.6 per cent year-on-year, respectively.
News.com.au
19-05-2025
- News.com.au
Australians keep dying in tourism paradise Thailand more than any other country
Three Australians have tragically died in three separate incidents within just one week in Thailand — a beloved nation which consistently has the highest number of Australian deaths of all international destinations. The latest publicly available data from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) shows 324 Aussies died in Thailand in 2023-24, which was 180 more deaths than the next country, the Philippines. (Thailand also has the most cases of illness and hospitalisation). And can reveal while the official numbers are yet to be released, to date in 2024-25, deaths in Thailand are about 7 per cent higher than at the same time in 2023-24. A look at the last ten years shows Thailand consistently ranks number one on the grim list of countries where the most Australians have died, followed by the Philippines and Indonesia. As more Aussies flock to the popular Southeast Asian country, the number of deaths are surging. Thailand attracts massive numbers of tourists from across the world seeking out tropical beaches, cultural experiences, delicious cuisine, bustling cities, vibrant night-life and a wild party scene. But a sense of freedom, cheap alcohol, first time motorbike riders on poor roads, and risky surf conditions can turn exciting holidays into tragedy. 'Thailand's combination of Insta-worthy beaches and bustling night-life can sometimes lead travellers to underestimate the risks,' Angus Kidman, a travel expert at insurance comparison website Finder, said. 'The allure of adventure, when mixed with alcohol and unfamiliar environments, can be a dangerous mix.' There is also the risk of contracting prevalent illnesses, and the appeal of Thailand for its medical tourism where people seek out cheaper procedures and healthcare than is available in Australia. DFAT said the majority of causes of death of Australians who die in Thailand are long term illness or medical episodes such as heart attacks and strokes. Of the deaths in 2023-24, 96 per cent were male and 84 per cent were aged 55 and over. But the Australian Government's official advice level for Thailand is still 2 of 4, warning Aussies to 'exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand overall due to security and safety risks'. It highlights drink spiking and the need to party safely, an ongoing risk of terrorism, and road accidents being a significant cause of injury. The country is famous for its wild parties AKA the Full Moon Party and even has an island, Koh Tao Island, that has earned the unfortunate moniker 'Death Island' after a spate of deaths among holiday-makers. Making global headlines just in the past week, a Love Island star's ex-boyfriend allegedly stabbed a tourist in a frenzied Phuket nightclub attack, and a teenager who vanished while holidaying in Thailand was arrested 6500 kilometres away on drug charges. When adventure turns deadly The heartbreaking deaths and hospitalisations we often see making headlines are those Aussies who have gone on holiday to let their hair down, never expecting disaster to unfold. Dr David Beirman, a senior lecturer in tourism and risk management at the University of Technology Sydney, told adventure can quickly turn to misadventure in Thailand. 'A lot of the people who do get themselves into trouble are people who are doing things that they are probably not qualified or skilled to do properly but they do it anyway because they're in Thailand,' Dr Beirman said. 'You get a lot more people who risk their lives for their travels than probably many other destinations.' Mr Beirman said Thailand attracts all kinds of travellers, but notably a younger risk-taking cohort who may 'get a little bit too inebriated either through drugs or alcohol, who will also do things like ride a motorbike when they actually probably wouldn't get a license to do it here in Australia'. 'So that puts them in more danger than other tourists,' he said. 'And Thailand has a lot of territory to cover. Some roads are fantastic and many of the roads are absolutely dreadful.' Angus Kidman described Thailand's roads as 'among the most hazardous globally, with motorbike accidents being a leading cause of tourist injuries and fatalities'. He urged those who choose to ride to always wear a helmet, adhere to local traffic laws, and consider comprehensive travel insurance that covers motorbike-related incidents. Mr Kidman also warned with a popular bar scene, there is the risk of drink spiking. Dr Beirman added that in addition to general leisure travel and medical tourism, Thailand is known for its sex tourism. 'The other type of tourism which is potentially dangerous are places like Pattaya and some of the resort areas which have a lot of sex tourism, and with sex and gambling goes crime and sorts of other things,' he said. 'So there are those tourists who expose themselves to that kind of tourism as well.' Dr Beirman concluded: 'I don't believe — and I say this as a person who has been to Thailand eight times now — that it is an inherently dangerous destination but I think sometimes the conduct of some cohorts of tourists who go there place themselves in a dangerous situation and that's probably the difference.' Mr Kidman said travel insurance can support distressed family members in the event of an unexpected death overseas. 'If the deceased had travel insurance, insurance will usually provide a list of funeral directors in the foreign country, provide advice on local funeral services, cover costs, take care of arrangements for a local funeral service or the return of the deceased to Australia,' Mr Kidman said. He urged those affected to contact the Australian embassy for consular assistance. Three Australians dead within one week in Thailand It was a deadly start to the first week of May. On May 1, a West Australian tourist died in Phuket after it is believed he lost his footing on hotel stairs and tragically fell three floors in front of his wife, only the day before the couple were due to check out. Sean Collins, 59, and his wife went for a night out on the bustling tourist island before returning to their room in the early hours of May 1, Asia Pacific Press reported. They were climbing the stairs when Mr Collins was said to have lost his footing and plunged three floors below. On May 6, an aspiring Australian Muay Thai boxer had been celebrating with friends after an intense training camp when he tragically drowned while swimming off a fishing charter boat near the tourist island of Koh Racha Yai Melbourne roof plumber Corey Walsh, 22, was due to spend four weeks in Thailand and had just completed the first two weeks of his trip before his death. In an emotional interview with Mr Walsh's younger sister Charleigh described her brother as 'selfless and loyal', revealing he had been on a much-anticipated holiday with six of his closest friends. On May 7, a 41-year-old from South Australia was reported missing by his wife in Phuket. Three days later Anthony Heathcote was found dead at Freedom Beach. A lifeguard had spotted a body drifting about 20 metres from the shoreline during his morning patrol. Mr Heathcote's brother, Ben Heathcote, told ABC the father of two was a 'remarkable' man and an 'adventurous spirit' who was on holiday when he died.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
5 countries where the Aussie dollar will go far amid currency chaos: 'No-brainer'
The Australian dollar has faced a rocky week and it's sparked fears amongst many heading overseas to traditional mid-year hotspots like the US and Europe. The dollar dropped below 60 US cents for the first time since the pandemic, depleting travellers' spendable cash by hundreds. Finder's travel expert Angus Kidman told Yahoo Finance that it's worth getting your holiday booked as much as possible now to avoid any further fluctuations in the dollar. But there are a few other destinations where your money will go far if you're looking for places to escape the clutches of winter. Thankfully, many of them are on Australia's doorstep. Decaying Aussie dollar decimates travel savings ahead of Euro summer: 'Pay now' CBA, NAB, Westpac slash term deposit interest rates in anticipation of RBA rate cut: 'Widespread' Multi-millionaire issues blunt retirement message for young Australians: 'Accept it now' International money transfer site Wise has revealed where you can go in the coming months that won't break the bank when you exchange your Aussie currency. One Aussie dollar is currently buying a little more than 16,000 Vietnamese dong. According to Numbeo, a three-course meal at a nice restaurant for two people will cost $37, while a cheap eat will only set you back roughly $3.20. A half-litre local beer will only cost you $1.87, while a coffee costs $3. Wise added that travel accommodation and transport are very cheap here and there's plenty of access to hotspots like Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long Bay, and Hoi An. The country overtook New Zealand last year to become the most visited destination for Aussies. One of the reasons is down to the price. One Aussie dollar buys 10,347.24 Indonesian rupiah, and that can go far in places like Bali. A cheap eat can cost as little as $5, whereas a nice, sit-down meal for two will be less than $30. A local beer is only $4 for 0.5L and a cappuccino is roughly $3.40. Even though many have been soaking up The White Lotus in recent weeks, thankfully there are plenty of places in Thailand that are dirt cheap. One Aussie dollar buys just over 21 Thai baht, which you can go a long way with street food, mid-range hotels, and reasonable island hopping boat tours. A beer will cost around $4, while your daily dose of caffeine is roughly $3.40. When it comes to eating out, it could cost you just $5.20 or $46 if you wanted something fancy for two people. You'll have to spend a little longer on the plane to get to this destination, but it'll be worth it once you arrive. The Turkish Lira has had a rough ride recently, making it a "no-brainer" for Aussie travellers. One Aussie dollar buys 23.75 Liras, and if you head to Istanbul, you could eat out for $17 at a relatively cheap place. A more up-market restaurant would see the bill for two people come to nearly $80. Half-litre local beers are only $6.50, while coffee is a bit steeper than the above at $5.50. Like some of the Southeast Asian destinations, Colombia has incredibly cheap street food, affordable accommodation and so much culture to soak up. One Aussie dollar buys 2,630 Colombian pesos You could pick up some cheap food for just $10, however, you'll have to pay an average of $45 for a proper sit-down meal for two people. Local beer is only $2.60 for half a litre and a cappuccino is slightly cheaper at $2.56. There are plenty of sneaky ways you might not even realise that cause your travel budget to shrink. Aussies should always choose the local currency, not AUD, when paying or withdrawing money from an ATM. This way they're not getting stung by unnecessarily high conversion fees charged by ATM providers and shops. Avoid exchanging money at the airport as these are usually the most expensive places. Instead, withdraw some money from an ATM at your local destination. Watch out for providers offering '0 per cent commission' or 'Zeo Fees' - these are always baked into an inflated exchange rate. If in doubt, compare the amount and rate against what's on Google. If you have a travel card, some, like Wise, allow you to lock in your desired currency rate to stop it from being affected by wild swings during volatile periods like this week. Data from Finder has revealed how much the recent fluctuations in the Aussie dollar have affected your budget for some of the more well-known travel hotspots. Comparing the currency exchange rates on March 29 to April 9, this is what you'll end up with: Japan: $427 less Europe: $416 less USA: $342 less New Zealand: $92 Wise said the European destinations most likely to put a strain on your finances are: France: Particularly Paris and the French Riviera Italy: Major tourist centres like Venice, Florence, and Rome command premium prices The Netherlands: Especially Amsterdam with its high accommodation costs Finland and Ireland: Usually have higher costs for tourist activities If you're heading that way and want to conserve your money, here are some of the places that are a little cheaper: Portugal Greece: Mainly just on the mainland and avoid some of the more popular touristy islands Spain: If you avoid places like Barcelona and Madrid Eastern Eurozone members: Slovakia, Latvia, and Lithuania, offer a lower-cost base while using the Euro
