Ever since the travel ban was lifted last year, more and more fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents are flying again.

In fact, travellers flying out of Sydney airport last month just in time for the Easter long weekend almost felt like things were back to ‘normal’ due to the massive queues, delays, and general chaos at the airport. Back to the ‘bad old days’, eh?

These incidents happened in other airports around the country as well, with hundreds of Aussies saying they waited several hours just to get through airport security as giant queues snaked around terminals.

Chaotic scenes at Sydney Airport proved that travel is back to normal in Australia. Credit: NCA NewsWire / Simon Bullard.​

That is probably why major Australian airlines have decided that they will be scrapping major traveller bonuses brought in during the pandemic.

Traveller bonuses such as flexible flight rules, free flight credits, and date changes were introduced by Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin during the height of the pandemic – when masses of tourists were complaining about missing flights due to snap lockdowns and unpredictable restrictions and requirements.

From Sunday, these bonuses will no longer be afforded to domestic travellers as the airlines slowly transition back to 'pre-pandemic' flight protocols.

However, flexible flight rules will stay in place for changes or cancellations to international flights up to June 30 and are inclusive of flights to the end of 2022.

And for passengers who test positive for the coronavirus (or considered close contact of confirmed positive individuals), cancellation fees can still be waived.

According to Brenton Cox, the managing director at Adelaide Airport, the airlines going back to pre-pandemic flight rules doesn't mean customers can no longer buy a flexible fare, it just means that "those blanket rules that apply to any ticket purchase are now coming off".

With borders open and overseas flights back on, every Aussie is considering a much-needed holiday to somewhere outside our respective States & Territories. To our members who are looking to travel overseas in the near future, make sure you have these three things before you leave the country!

1. Vaccination certificates
2. COVID testing before, during and after your trip
3. Face masks
4. Travel insurance

Happy travelling, folks!

 

[Senor]

We decided not to travel overseas for a couple of years but travel within Australia. We want to help the local travel industry and associated businesses for a while. We believe there is a lot to see in Australia that is interesting. So we have done a few road trips in the past 6 months, with lot more road trips to come.

 

[Ricci]

With the cost of living going through the roof I don't think overseas travel is much of a problem, none of us can afford it! Unfortunately holidaying here is also curtailed as prices go through the roof, even the humble road trip is now something we can only dream of.