Destination unknown: Qantas to relaunch famous 'mystery flight'
Does jumping on a plane blindfolded tickle your fancy?
Qantas has announced that it's bringing back its wacky "mystery flight" experience for the first time since the 1990s -- but this time, with a few added perks.
Previously, passengers would turn up for a scheduled flight to any of Qantas' destinations, spend a day at their leisure and then return home. How very adventurous
But this time, 120 lucky ticket holders will board one of three chartered Boeing 737 flights with no idea where they'll be landing -- until they do.
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A full day of all-inclusive activities will ensue before being jetted back home.
Departing from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, the airline will give customers clues for each mystery adventure to help them with their packing. For instance, the adventure from Brisbane promises “country hospitality, gourmet food and wine, and the great outdoors”, while Sydney guarantees “the tropics, saltwater on your skin, and long lunching on the beach”.
Finally, the trip from Melbourne is for those who love “the great outdoors (including a little walking), gourmet food and wine, and regional farmers markets”.
Fares cost $737 for economy and $1,579 for business class and include meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage plus all activities on the ground.
Tickets go on sale on March 4, and the departure dates are below.
"You could be sipping chardonnay amongst the grapevines of an award-winning vineyard, dipping your toes in the turquoise waters of a tropical island, or enjoying country hospitality at its finest," Qantas said in a statement.
"We're working behind the scenes to create some truly wonderful experiences both on the ground and in the air."
This isn't the Australian carrier's first "concept flight". Last year it launched the "flight to nowhere" where a 787 Dreamliner took to the Australian skies for 8.5 hours to give passengers their plane fix.
All 134 seats sold out within 10 minutes despite the environmental concerns about a seemingly pointless flight.
Australia has taken one of the toughest approaches to the COVID-19 pandemic. All arriving passengers -- those with exemptions as the borders remain closed -- must undertake mandatory, hotel quarantine at their own expense -- costing thousands of pounds.
Furthermore, anyone wishing to leave the country for any reason requires written government approval -- Australians are unable to leave the country without it.
This has meant Qantas has not operated any long-haul flights for many months, and it does not expect to do so again until well into 2021.
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4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
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Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees