Australia’s domestic tourism sector is buzzing again as travel-starved Aussies seek out fun and adventure ‘at home’ while international borders remain closed.

With so many incredible destinations and experiences on offer across the country, it’s a great time to get out and about – whether that’s a staycation near home or a getaway further afield.

American Express is doing its part to help Aussies travel again by offering eligible American Express Card Members some very attractive deals as part of its Open for Travel promotion.

If you’re an Amex Card Member and considering a trip, this could be a great opportunity to save some money.

But hurry, as the promotion ends on 15 May.

First up, Amex has partnered with a range of booking platforms to offer the following deals:

• Agoda: get 12% off eligible hotels at agoda.com/amexau
• Expedia: spend $250, get a $25 discount using coupon code AMEX25 at expedia.com.au/amex
• Hotels.com: get 5% off hotel bookings using coupon code AMEX5, plus sign up and collect Rewards stamps at hotels.com/amex
• Wotif: spend $250, get a $25 discount using coupon code WOTIF25AMEX at wotif.com/amex.

Card Members can also take advantage of the following offers with accommodation and transport providers at participating properties and locations:

• Hilton: spend $400, get $80 back
• IHG Hotels & Resorts: spend $350, get $85 back
• Marriott Bonvoy: spend $300, get $75 back
• Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns: get 20% off 3-night stays using promo code ZAMEX.
• Avis: spend $270, get $50 back
• Hertz: spend $200, get $40 back.

Offers end 15 May 2021.

To whet your appetite, here’s a selection of hotels and experiences around the country you could enjoy.

Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns

The 5-star Shangri-La Hotel provides luxury accommodation in the gorgeous surrounds of the Cairns marina, with easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and many local tours and attractions. The hotel’s spacious and inviting rooms are decorated with local artworks that express the natural beauty of the tropical north and feature private balconies with memorable views of the city, the hotel’s tropical gardens, Trinity Bay or Marlin Marina.

Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns

voco Kirkton Park Hotel Hunter Valley (IHG Hotels & Resorts)

Located in beautiful New South Wales wine country, voco Kirkton Park Hunter Valley offers boutique accommodation in a charming 70-acre manor-estate. Guests can relax in well-appointed rooms, immerse themselves in nature or indulge in local wines and “estate-to-plate” dining. Thanks to its strong focus on sustainability, the estate produces its own vegetables, honey and eggs, powers lights with a solar farm and feeds manicured gardens with recycled water. There are also recreational facilities for guests to enjoy and easy access to the Hunter Valley’s popular attractions and wineries.

voco Kirkton Park Hotel Hunter Valley

W Melbourne (Marriott Bonvoy)

The latest addition to Melbourne’s luxury hotel scene takes its design cues from the streets of Australia’s cultural capital. Located in the CBD, the ultra-stylish hotel is billed as a playground for everyone to enjoy: from the early risers to the late-night revelers. You can detox in the state-of-the-art FIT gym, or retox with a dip and a sip in the WET® pool. To further amp up your stay, savour some of the distinct offerings from hotel’s three restaurants and two bars.

W Melbourne

InterContinental Adelaide (IHG Hotels & Resorts)

Exclusively positioned on the banks of the River Torrens, InterContinental Adelaide provides luxury city centre accommodation. Guests enjoy stylish rooms with city views, several restaurants and bars, and access to the adjacent Adelaide Festival Centre, Convention Centre and Casino. A short walk from the hotel you will be immersed in cultural North Terrace and Adelaide’s key attractions, including The Art Gallery of South Australia, South Australian Museum, Adelaide Oval, Rundle Mall and Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

InterContinental Adelaide

While in Adelaide, why not hire a car using the Hertz or Avis offer and explore some of the famous wine regions nearby?

Explore South Australia’s famed wine regions

The Ritz Carlton, Perth (Marriott Bonvoy)

Cutting a striking silhouette along the Swan River, The Ritz-Carlton, Perth evokes timeless luxury and the joy of discovery. Newly built on Elizabeth Quay, the hotel overlooks the river, skyline and urban parks. The beauty and bounty of Western Australia are celebrated through culinary experiences highlighting local ingredients, a river-view infinity pool and a luxury spa featuring bespoke pampering rituals.

The Ritz Carlton, Perth

Midnight Hotel, Autograph Collection (Marriott Bonvoy)

Canberra’s Midnight Hotel invites guests to experience the beat of a growing city, the personal touch of exceptional service, and the originality and authenticity of high design. Located in the neighbourhood of Braddon, the hotel is perfectly positioned in a melting pot of design, culture, food and fashion. Guests can also delight in fresh, local produce across seasonal menus in the hotel’s chic restaurant Braddon Merchant as well delicious beverages at the atmospheric Midnight Bar.

Midnight Hotel, Autograph Collection

Hilton Darwin

From the sparkling harbour and WWII history to the city’s Asian-influenced food and tropical outdoor lifestyle, Darwin is an adventurers’ paradise. The Hilton Darwin is the perfect base for exploring the city, located in downtown Darwin overlooking the harbour. Nearby you’ll find Bicentennial Park, Darwin Convention Centre, and the beach at Darwin Waterfront Precinct. The hotel has stylish guest rooms, an outdoor pool on a high floor, a fitness centre, a restaurant and a bar.

Hilton Darwin

Explore Tasmania by road

Self-drive journeys on the compact island of Tasmania offer the freedom to find the things you want – natural wonders, inspiration, calm, great food – and much you never expected. Whether whisky or wine, history or farm-fresh produce, there’s a trail on this beautiful island to match your passion. Hire a car using the Hertz or Avis offers, jump in and go.

For more details about the Open for Travel promotion and to take advantage of these deals ending soon, visit American Express.

This article was produced in partnership with American Express.

Virgin Australia has launched a promotion offering triple Velocity Points on new flight bookings made by 25 April 2021 for travel from 1 June 2021 to 8 March 2022.  That means you’ll earn a whopping 15 Points for every $1 spent on your domestic flights.

Triple points are available for all flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia that normally earn points.

Codeshare services marketed or operated by partner airlines other than Virgin Australia are not eligible for this offer.

To take advantage of this deal, you must activate it here.

There’s no limit on the amount of times this offer can be redeemed.

This is a great opportunity to earn more points if you have a trip in mind.

Under Virgin’s flexible booking policy, the airline is offering unlimited fee-free flight changes, or the option to cancel your booking and opt for a credit, for travel to 31 January 2022 (this date has been extended several times and may be again).

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Qantas is once again running a big status ‘fast track’ offer for elite members of 16 competitor airline loyalty programs.

Qantas last ran this promo in November 2020, but this time it’s been expanded to include residents of New Zealand.

Individuals who hold eligible loyalty status with a qualifying airline program are invited to switch to Qantas.

All you have to do is register for this promo by 30 April and earn 100 status credits by 31 July and you’ll qualify for Qantas’ Gold tier.

Those wishing to transfer from a higher flying tier – Platinum and Platinum One equivalents – will only be able to transfer to Qantas’ Gold status, rather than have their status matched.

Reaching a higher frequent flyer status with Qantas will require members to earn the normal status credits (1,400 for Platinum and 3,600 for Platinum One).

To earn 100 status credits, you could take 5 return economy trips between Sydney to Melbourne or one return business class trip from Melbourne to Cairns.

To help you plan, use Qantas’ points and status credits calculator.

Until 31 July, Qantas will provide you with a ‘taste of Gold’ by way of complimentary Qantas Club access and extra checked baggage.

Full Gold tier benefits with Qantas include lounge access across Qantas and oneworld airline lounges globally, preferential seating and priority access to reward seats, as well as priority check-in, boarding and upgrade requests.

More information about tier benefits is available here.

The qualifying airlines and eligible status levels are:

• Air Canada – Aeroplan: 50K, 75K, Super Elite
• Air China – Phoenix Miles: Gold, Platinum
• Air India Flying Returns: Golden Edge Club, The Maharajah Club
• Air New Zealand Airpoints: Gold, Elite
• ANA – Mileage Club: Platinum, Diamond
• Asiana Airlines Asiana Club: Diamond, Diamond Plus, Platinum
• Delta – Skymiles: Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion, Diamond Medallion
• Eva Air Infinity MileageLands: Gold Card, Diamond Card
• Etihad – Guest: Gold, Platinum
• Korean Air – Skypass: Morning Calm Premium Club Card, Million Miler Club Card
• Shenzhen Airlines PhoenixMiles: PhoenixMiles Gold, PhoenixMiles Platinum
• Singapore Airlines – KrisFlyer: KrisFlyer Elite Gold, PPS Club, Solitaire PPS Club
• South African Airways SAA Voyager: Gold, Platinum
• Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus: Royal Orchid Plus Gold, Royal Orchid Plus Platinum
• United Airlines – MileagePlus: Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, Premier 1K
• Virgin Australia – Velocity: Velocity Gold, Velocity Platinum.

Registrations for this offer close on 30 April and are only open to individuals with an Australian or New Zealand home postal address.

You’ll need to provide evidence of your existing status with an eligible airline.

Members who have already been activated on the previous Qantas Status Fast Track (between 26 November 2020 and 31 March 2021) have until 30 June 2021 to earn the required Status Credits and are not eligible to apply for this Status Fast Track.

For more information, visit qantas.com/statusfasttrack.

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American Express is running its popular Shop Small promotion again this year with an exciting, new twist.

This time round, American Express Card Members can earn up to a whopping 40,000 bonus points by shopping with small merchants over the next twelve months!

Shop Small is traditionally held for a month in the lead up to Christmas, but this year’s shift to an always-on initiative aims to assist small businesses that have been affected by the Covid crisis as they navigate the road to recovery.

It’s also a great opportunity for Amex cardholders to get more out of their spend as life returns to ‘Covid-normal’.

Here’s how the promo works.

American Express Card Members who first save the Shop Small offer to their eligible card will get three extra points per dollar spent with participating small businesses until 31 March 2022, in-store or online, up to 40,000 extra points.

To save the offer, find it in the “Offers” section of the Amex app or your account online.

There’s no cap on the number of registrations, but be aware that additional/supplementary cards are not eligible – only the primary card on each account can earn bonus points.

Thousands of small merchants around the country are taking part in this initiative, from coffee shops to boutiques and more, and this includes micro-businesses that use Square payment terminals.

You can view an interactive map of participating in-store merchants here and a list of online businesses here.

If you’re not yet an Amex card member and would like to take advantage of this promo, check out the reviews of our favourite Amex cards here where there are some great sign-up offers.

For more information about Shop Small, visit the program website here.

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