www.traveldaily.com.au Monday 11th January 2021 BA culinary pact VA credit clampdown Today’s issue of TD BRITISH Airways has unveiled Travel Daily today has five a new menu for customers in TRAVEL agents who incorrectly reservations. pages of news including our its Euro Traveller (short-haul redeem Virgin Australia Future When booking via GDS, the FFC PUZZLE page. Economy) class, with all on-board Flight Credits (FFC) will be levied fares must be searched using dining having to be pre-ordered. with a $250 penalty by the account code FFC20. TIME to sign up Dubbed “Speedbird Cafe”, carrier, under a new VA policy FFCs cannot be used for THE Travel Industry Mentor the initiative is a partnership update released on Fri. upgrade purchases or be used in Experience (TIME) will hold its with Michelin-starred chef The revised Virgin Australia conjunction with travel credits first intake for 2021 on 17 Feb. Tom Kerridge, who will design ADM/ACM policy document now of another person, and also may Applications are currently “gourmet food choices” such as confirms that processes related to not be used in conjunction with open for any ambitious travel, signature pies and sandwiches. FFCs will be audited, and if fares Velocity Frequent Flyer points or tourism, airline and hospitality The airline will continue to offer are collected incorrectly “any mis- to make a booking in conjunction professionals to take part in the a complimentary bottle of water calculated values will be subject with other forms of travel credits. six-month mentoring program. and a snack, but any other meals to an Agent Debit Memo (ADM)”. “Identified under-collections For more information see must be purchased up to 12 Future Flight Credits were will attract a $250 ADM plus an travelindustrymentor.com.au. hours prior to departure via the outcome of the airline’s ADM fee,” the new policy notes, www.highlifeshop.com. restructuring and sale to new with the same penalties applying Other changes include pre- owner, private equity firm Bain, if agents use FFCs to purchase TG int’l flight cuts ordering of in-flight retail items, which promised FFCs in place any other fare class products on STRICT travel restrictions in which the carrier said would help of existing credits for cancelled behalf of their customers. Thailand have seen Thai Airways reduce onboard weight. travel which had been booked Virgin Australia spokesman Kris slash its international services. In BA’s Club Europe business prior to VA entering voluntary Taute told TD the changes “reflect Reduced flight schedules in class cabin new Do&Co menus administration in Apr last year. the introduction of Future Flight place until 27 Mar sees a single will see the reintroduction of FFC capacity is strictly controlled Credits as a form of payment,” weekly TG return flight operating china and glassware, replacing on Virgin Australia flights, with with a range of educational to ports including Sydney, the temporary use of COVID-safe the fares only available for U class resources and FAQs on the VA Frankfurt, London, Manila, Osaka, minimum-contact meal boxes. (Economy) and I class (Business) agency hub - CLICK HERE. Seoul and Taipei. Inspire your clients to keep dreaming Keep Dreaming will recommence next week with destination features, puzzles and more, to inspire your clients’ next escape. Travel Daily e [email protected] t 1300 799 220 w www.traveldaily.com.au page 1 Become a Tokyo Expert Click here to register Monday 11th January 2021 Cabinet measures WestJet slashes NEW border measures have Vic greenlights interstate WESTJET has announced it is been introduced by National THE Victorian Government of NSW downgraded, possibly cutting more than 1,100 jobs Cabinet to combat any possible is reportedly gearing up to opening up domestic travel amid a slash of its flight schedule. community infections of introduce a new “traffic light” channels between Australia’s two Blaming the latest travel the United Kingdom’s new system for interstate travel across most populous states. restrictions imposed by the coronavirus strain in Australia. Australia, effectively replacing “We are looking for a clearer, Government of Canada, WestJet All returning travellers will now its hard border policies which simpler system to give people said it had seen an instant decline need to undergo a pre-flight had previously caused chaos for as much information as possible in travel demand. test for coronavirus, with any Victorians’ travel plans. and as much clarity as possible “Immediately following the Australians hoping to return The new system will require about how to manage travel over [Canadian Government’s] home required to test negative. Victorian travellers to obtain a the coming months while we still inbound testing announcement, Masks on all domestic and special permit available online have active COVID cases popping and with the continuation of international flights are now when travelling to designated up around the country,” said Vic the 14-day quarantine, we saw mandatory, and Australia’s safe zones interstate. COVID-19 Response Commander significant reductions in new states and territories will not be Red zones, which at this stage Jeroen Weimar last night. bookings and unprecedented increasing the cap on the number include Brisbane and the entire It is understood the traffic light cancellations,” said the airline’s of repatriated Australians they state of NSW, will be deemed system will be in place for most Chief Executive Officer Ed Sims. are currently accommodating. as “do not travel”, while amber of the year, with further details to New South Wales, Queensland zones will need a permit to access be revealed later today. and WA will also reduce their cap and mandate travellers get a Domain on repatriated Aussies by 50% test and self isolate when they name for sale from next week. return home until they receive a Creative packages “The suggestion that Australia negative COVID result. TWO Rail & Sail packages YouDeserveaHoliday.com might be able to close off Green zones will require a have been launched by Creative every single flight that comes permit for travel, however, Cruising for voyages departing For more to Australia was considered will not come with any test or Dec 2021. by AHPPC and was not quarantine restrictions. One journey combines the information and recommended to the National Despite NSW being designated Indian Pacific with a cruise aboard inquiries email: Cabinet,” Prime Minister Scott a red zone at this stage, News Azamara Journey, while the other ahw24643@ Morrison said. Limited reports this is subject to a combines the Great Southern and gmail.com MEANWHILE, Qld Health review by the state’s Chief Health a Quantum of the Seas cruise. has confirmed that travellers Officer Brett Sutton, which could To book call 1300 362 599. transiting through the hotspot see the danger rating in parts of Brisbane onward to another destination will be able to do so without interruption. Viking incentive If driving, travellers must do so A NEW travel advisor incentive Do you listen to without stopping, and must travel has been launched by Viking. Travel Daily - News in a private vehicle, such as their More than $25,000 of Rewards on the Fly to catch up own car, a rideshare or a taxicab. by Viking points are up for grabs They must not transit through during its Discovery Cruise Sale. on the news? the Brisbane area by any other To enter the incentive, all mode of transport, and if flying, bookings made by registered Use the podcast they must not leave the airport. members in the Discovery Sale to update our The Government of the until 31 Mar will go into the draw listeners with Northern Territory has also to win dollars to spend in the declared Greater Brisbane is no Rewards by Viking store. your company’s longer deemed a coronavirus Three prizes will be given away news. hotspot, meaning anyone arriving each month from Jan to Mar, with in the NT from Brisbane will no first prize totalling $5,000, second Sponsorship opportunities longer have to enter quarantine. place $2,500 & third with $1,000. are available now. In further news, WA has also “We are coming into the new announced more measures year with hopes of change within CLICK HERE TO ENQUIRE to protect against COVID-19, the travel industry,” said Viking including halving its international ANZ Managing Director Michelle arrivals cap to around 512 people Black, who added the cruise line a week until mid-Feb, and making foresees a “huge” amount of masks mandatory in airports. pent-up demand for its cruises. Travel Daily e [email protected] t 1300 799 220 w www.traveldaily.com.au page 2 Read about the change to Celebrity’s pricing and what Aurora is doing to protect ©Richard l’Anson ©Celebrity Cruises deposits in the December issue of travelBulletin. Monday 11th January 2021 Trade blockade VA expands AC loyalty ends for Qatar Window VIRGIN Australia Group has able to use the status credit SAUDI Arabia and its allies have expanded its partnership with Air mileage calculator HERE to Seat restored diplomatic ties with Canada (AC), allowing Velocity determine the miles flown. Qatar after a three-year rift. A CAT which escaped while its Frequent Flyer members to earn However, neither Velocity Points Kuwait, a mediator for both owner was taking it through points and status credits on select nor status credits can be earned sides, announced Saudi Arabia is a security checkpoint at New flights with Air Canada travelling on reward seat bookings or reopening its airspace, as well as York’s LaGuardia Airport has between Australia, Vancouver c’shares with third party airlines.