Emirates versus Etihad: which business class is better?

Hi Frugalistas!  On my trip to Athens last October I was fortunate to fly in two of the world’s most highly regarded Business Classes:  Emirates and Etihad.  Flying Etihad Pearl Business Class from Sydney to Athens, then Emirates Business Class Athens to Sydney gave me the perfect opportunity to compare these two airlines’ business class […]

Virgin Australia B737 International Business Class: the frugalfirstclasstravel review

Hi Frugalistas!  Many readers will know I’m a regular traveller on Virgin Australia.  I’m a big fan, and have reviewed both the International and Coast to Coast Business Class previously.  In January I was joined by MissG and Mr Frugalfirstclass on a family trip to Phuket.  Options to fly from Sydney directly to Phuket are limited […]

Hidden city ticketing: the best travel hack airlines don’t want you to know about?

Hi Frugalistas!  Have you ever realised that it’s sometimes cheaper to book an airfare with a connecting flight and get off at the connection, rather than book a direct flight to that same connecting destination?  I’d come across this myself recently, and wondered how common it was, and whether there was merit in trying it as a […]

The frugalfirstclasstravel top 10 posts of 2014

Hi Frugalistas!  Happy New Year and welcome to 2015.  Today I’m delighted to present to you my top 10 posts of 2014, based on my stats, and therefore as voted by you, my loyal readers.  Interestingly, many of my top 10 posts are older posts, and indeed some of them have proven more popular in […]

Emirates A380 Business Class: the frugalfirstclasstravel review

– rugalistas!  Regular readers will no doubt recall my review of the Emirates A380 First Class Suite last year.  It was very, very good, but in my comparison with Etihad Diamond First Class, I had to give it to Etihad.  I’ve travelled numerous times on the Etihad Pearl Business Class, so was curious see what […]

Reader poll: what frugalfirstclass travellers want and why I asked

Hi Frugalistas! Thanks so much to everyone who participated in the recent frugalfirstclasstravel reader survey.  So many of you took the time to tell me what you liked at frugalfirstclasstravel, and what you wanted to see more of.  As the Chief Frugalista I know what I like, but what did you like?  European destinations? Is […]

How to redeem frequent flyer flights when you don’t have enough points

  Hi Frugalistas!  Not quite enough frequent flyer miles to book that dream trip?  Not sure what to do next?  That was the question put to me recently by a work colleague.  Her and her husband wanted to use their Qantas frequent flyer points (part of the One World Alliance) to book flights to Europe. […]

Etihad Airways pearl business class: a review update

Hi Frugalistas!  The last time I flew Etihad Airways Pearl Business Class it was good, but not great.  Memories of a rock hard croissant at breakfast and very poor service in transit in Abu Dhabi left this loyal Etihad customer a little disillusioned.  Have they redeemed themselves?  Read my review update from my recent trip […]

Real life travel hacking: how I paid an Economy cabin price for a Business Class seat to Europe

Hi Frugalistas!  I’m planning a trip to Athens later this year.  It wasn’t a trip I had planned and budgeted for, so I want to get the best value seat I can.  I also don’t want an Economy (Coach) seat.  It’s a long way to Europe from Australia, so Business Class is definitely the way […]

Air France Euro business class: the frugalfirstclasstravel review

Hi Frugalistas!  Those of us who are fortunate to be able fly Business Class know that not all Business Classes are created equal.  In particular, I notice a distinct difference between the amenity of Business on European routes compared to my long haul flight to Europe from Australia.  On my recent trip, I was able […]