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Anthony Albanese under fire over free Qantas upgrades

<p>A journalist's new book has claimed that Anthony Albanese has been scoring free flight upgrades with Qantas for over 15 years.</p> <p>According to <em>AFR</em> journalist Joe Aston's new book <em>The Chairman’s Lounge</em>, the PM and his family received upgrades from Qantas over his time as Transportation Minister and Opposition Leader between the years of 2007 and 2019.</p> <p>Aston's investigation allegedly  found that Albanese had used his relationship with former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce to secure free upgrades to business and first-class flights on at least 22 occasions.</p> <p>“According to Qantas insiders, Albanese would liaise with Joyce directly about his personal travel,” Aston wrote.</p> <p>Albanese has defended these upgrades by stating they were all “declared as appropriate”, saying, “From time to time, members of parliament receive upgrades. What’s important is that they are declared. All of mine have been declared."</p> <p>“I note that a range of them go back a long, a long period of time and that they have all been declared as appropriate.”</p> <p>Despite claiming that the upgrades were all above board, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called the perks  “a bit strange.”</p> <p>“I think it is a bit strange that Mr Albanese is contacting the CEO of an airline when he is the shadow minister or minister for transport,” said Dutton.</p> <p>“I very strongly believe in the need for people to declare their interests, and sometimes there are oversight and human error involved, but when you’re talking about having a personal phone call to ask for an upgrade, as the transport minister or shadow transport minister, then I presume the prime minister will answer questions about that.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock/LUKAS COCH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Woman’s “selfish” business class upgrade divides the internet

<p dir="ltr">A woman has divided the internet after telling how she snagged an upgrade on her way home from a holiday, leaving her partner and his child in economy. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 30-year-old woman shared the story of how she landed the controversial upgrade, but explained to her social media followers that there is more to the story than meets the eye. </p> <p dir="ltr">She began by explaining that she had booked a 10-day holiday with her partner, who she called Matt, who she had been dating for one year. </p> <p dir="ltr">The couple wanted to spend some time together, but were joined by Matt’s younger son, who she called Alex, from his previous relationship. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Every now and then I would look after Alex when Matt was at work — we don’t live together but they stay at mine every now and then,” the woman explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">Due to family circumstances, Alex had to join the couple on holiday, as she explained, “The flights were over eight hours long and I have booked the tickets for all of us.”  </p> <p dir="ltr">During the flight to their destination, and throughout their whole holiday, the woman explained that she spent most of the time looking after Alex while Matt had “the time of his life”. </p> <p dir="ltr">While the couple were on holiday, the woman discovered that Matt had been unfaithful, and had been cheating on her through most of their relationship. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Some things came to my attention — he was still seeing his ex — which resulted in us breaking up at the end of our stay,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">On the flight back home, the three were sitting together when a flight attendant approached her ex, asking if he wanted an upgrade to business class, but before he could respond, the woman interjected.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I mentioned it was me who bought the tickets and used my own account to pay for them, so an upgrade should go to me,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The flight attendant was trying to argue at first, as she assumed Alex was my child.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I told her that’s not the case, and ended up having an upgrade so I can relax after spending all this time looking after Alex.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When they landed, Matt made comments the woman had been “an a**hole” and “selfish”, while some passengers made similar comments. </p> <p dir="ltr">The woman shared the story to Reddit, asking social media users if she was in the wrong by taking the upgrade and was met with mixed responses. </p> <p dir="ltr">One person said, “Damn that sucks... paying for a flight, in a breakup, taking care of a child on YOUR vacation. You by no means are the a******, hell the audacity of the ex is unbelievable. It just p***es me off so much that I can’t even begin to imagine your frustration.” </p> <p dir="ltr">Another added, “I bet it was nice to put some space between you and your brand new ex with such a long flight, too. What was he going to do, take the upgrade and leave his young kid with the woman who he just broke up with? There’s no world in which that makes any kind of sense.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Others suggested the biggest culprit in the situation was actually the flight attendant.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Why would it be ok to leave the mum with the kid but not the dad? Why did they not first offer it to the person who bought the tickets as that’s where the priority should’ve been?” one said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, one person pointed out: “Let this be a lesson."</p> <p dir="ltr">“Never take care of someone’s kid your whole holiday and let them have the time of their lives. You should have let him handle everything concerning his kid except some play time. I would be fuming.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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“Selfish” husband leaves wife behind for first class upgrade on their honeymoon

<p dir="ltr">A woman has shared her frustration over a journey she took with her new husband to their honeymoon destination. </p> <p dir="ltr">The wife’s “selfish” husband was quick to ditch her on their way to Mexico for their honeymoon after he was offered an upgrade to business class. </p> <p dir="ltr">The woman took to Reddit to share the story of what began at the airport shortly after their wedding, while also explaining that as a frequent flyer, she had racked up a hefty amount of points. </p> <p dir="ltr">In comparison, her new husband is an anxious flyer, who often relies on her to keep him calm during take off and landing. </p> <p dir="ltr">“When I booked our flights I requested to use my points if an upgrade to business class became available, but made it clear I only wanted this upgrade if two seats became available... and then I basically forgot about it,” the wife explained in a Reddit thread.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Then comes the day of our flight. I was so excited for this trip, I checked us in online, all is going well, and then when we go to board, the employee scanning our boarding passes stops us.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“She says it seems that my husband was upgraded to business class, but only him and asks if that is okay.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The wife immediately replied, “No, we are on our honeymoon and would like to stay together”, however, her husband interjected, saying, “No it’s fine, I’ll go to business class.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Approximately 500 of her hard earned points went to his upgrade, while she was left alone in economy for the trip. </p> <p dir="ltr">Stunned by his response, she said: “I look at him in complete shock and he tells me that I fly all the time and have been in business class before, but he hasn’t. So he deserves a chance to experience it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I see we are holding up the line, so I feel like I just need to agree and get on the plane.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To say I am p***ed off is an understatement.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After boarding the flight, the woman became overcome with emotion over her new husband’s actions. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Within maybe five to 10 minutes of sitting there, trying to hold back tears because my husband left me alone on our flight during our honeymoon — and use my points for his upgrade no less, he starts to text me saying he feels anxiety over flying.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Instead of expressing sympathy, she decided to ignore his texts.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I stopped looking at my phone,” the wife said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Just one hour into the flight, her husband began looking for her in economy class.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He comes to the back of the plane to find me, offers me half of his business class breakfast and asks me why I was ignoring him... because he was scared and needed me to tell him it’d be okay since I am such an experienced flyer,” she explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I told him maybe he should have thought about that before leaving me alone before our honeymoon even really began.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“He gets angry, tells me that this may be the only time he gets to fly business class and he was giving me half his breakfast to make up for it so I could at least be supportive of his genuine fear.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When they landed in Mexico, she tried to just “move on and forget” about what her husband did so they could enjoy their honeymoon.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But he guilt tripped me about not comforting him via text before take off and now I am wondering if I am being unreasonable and should have just let him enjoy his time in business class and assure him it’d be okay?” she wondered.</p> <p dir="ltr">She asked the internet whether she was being the a**hole for not being supportive of her husband.</p> <p dir="ltr">Many jumped to the wife’s defence, with one suggesting, “Definitely not the a**hole. Tell your husband actions have consequences and since he wanted to be in business class without you, he gets to fly without you. The fact he did this on your honeymoon trip just makes it worse.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Trouble

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Flight attendant reveals how to score a free upgrade

<p dir="ltr">A flight attendant has shared her number one trick for securing an upgrade on your next plane journey. </p> <p dir="ltr">American flight attendant Cierra Mistt revealed the one question you should ask at check-in to score an upgrade to first class, with the hack working almost every time.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mistt started her now-viral video by saying her hack to get a free upgrade was top secret. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Let’s look at the big picture. Everyone is flying right now, and no one is more excited about that than commercial airlines,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The majority of airlines are overbooking every single flight they have.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“It comes from the last month of me trying to get home and not even being able to get on standby because every single flight has been oversold,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I am not talking about one or two seats. I am talking about 10-30 seats that have been oversold.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mistt said this overselling of flights presents an opportunity to travellers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If everyone does show up, including the extra passengers that were oversold their tickets, the airlines have no choice but to financially compensate,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The flight attendant shared that airlines “normally start off with vouchers for $500 or something”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Normally they say a voucher but you can ask for it in cash,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Depending on the flight and how desperate they are, they will go up to, like three, four, five thousand dollars.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is where the free upgrades come in.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mistt said not only could you ask for a free upgrade in such circumstances, but you could “also ask for other incentives”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“For example, drinks, dinners, breakfast, even a hotel if you have to stay overnight until the next flight,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And, yes, you can also ask to be upgraded to first class.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Her video received more than a million views, with people praising the hack and sharing how it has worked for them. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I got upgraded to first class by doing this,” said one person. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: TikTok / Getty Images </em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Tips

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Flight cancelled after parents demand free upgrade for their child

<p dir="ltr">A flight was delayed for hours before being ultimately cancelled after two parents demanded that their child was upgraded to first class for free. </p> <p dir="ltr">A plane in China was grounded for three hours after the parents caused a ruckus with the cabin crew, and were eventually kicked off the aircraft. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to a fellow passenger, the argument kicked off when an unsupervised child began to sob uncontrollably after boarding a flight from Chengdu to Beijing. </p> <p dir="ltr">As it turned out, the inconsolable toddler’s parents were seated in first class but had only bought their child an economy ticket.</p> <p dir="ltr">It was then that the angry dad confronted the staff, demanding that his son be moved to first class at no extra cost.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the <em>South China Morning Post</em>, the irate dad explained that because he had already paid for two first class tickets, his child’s upgrade should be free. </p> <p dir="ltr">In the clip shot by a fellow passenger, the outraged dad began berating a group of passengers, crew members, and security guards as they repeatedly explained why his child isn’t entitled to an upgrade.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Stop swearing at me,” fumed the father. “You have no right to do that.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When a security guard attempts to de-escalate the situation, the parent lays into him, shouting: “What gives you the right to order me about?”</p> <p dir="ltr">This prompts a woman to retort: “You’ve wasted too much of our time and we won’t tolerate it any longer.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After three hours of back and forth, the couple were eventually kicked off the plane, while the flight was cancelled. </p> <p dir="ltr">The entitled passenger has since been rinsed on social media with one commenter fuming, “This man is so selfish.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Others suggested solutions for the father that didn’t involve the airline giving the man an extra first-class seat.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He can switch seats,” advised one person. “Let him sit in economy class, and have the mum take care of the child in the first-class cabin.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Some on social media were quick to chastise the airline for their handling of the situation, with one person writing, “Keeping the quarrel going for hours? The problem-solving skills of the crew are poor.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Twitter</em><span id="docs-internal-guid-dd8af609-7fff-7da2-9017-179b6317cd24"></span></p>

Travel Trouble

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Travelers will refuse an upgrade to sit near a loved one – new research into when people want to share experiences

<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ximena-garcia-rada-1238853">Ximena Garcia-Rada</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/texas-aandm-university-1672">Texas A&amp;M University</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-norton-145591">Michael Norton</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/harvard-university-1306">Harvard University</a></em>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-k-ratner-1439964">Rebecca K. Ratner</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-maryland-1347">University of Maryland</a></em></p> <p><em>The <a href="https://theconversation.com/us/topics/research-brief-83231">Research Brief</a> is a short take about interesting academic work.</em></p> <h2>The big idea</h2> <p>People will often sacrifice a better experience and opt for one that’s less enjoyable if it means they can do it alongside a loved one – whether that’s a romantic partner, close friend or relative. That’s the main finding of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/jcpy.1352">our research</a> published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology in April 2023.</p> <p>For example, when taking a flight, two friends might decide to sit in adjacent seats in coach rather than accept a free upgrade to nonadjacent seats in first class. Failing to choose togetherness can have consequences, as in the “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2JKXbVGq7A">Seinfeld” episode</a> in which Elaine suffers the indignities of economy class, leading to rage against Jerry after he chooses to accept an upgrade.</p> <p>We conducted five studies in a variety of settings and featuring different social bonds, including friendships and romantic relationships. In one study, just over half of people chose two adjacent seats far from the stage over two nonadjacent seats closer to the stage when imagining they were attending a Cirque du Soleil performance with a close friend, compared with only about one-third who chose the adjacent seats when imagining attending with an acquaintance.</p> <p>In another study, we asked students whether they wanted to eat one chocolate with another person – either a new friend or a stranger – or two chocolates alone. Half the people chose the shared experience – but only if the other person was a friend. Fewer people – 38% – opted for the shared experience if the other person was a stranger.</p> <h2>Why it matters</h2> <p>One reason people prioritize physical proximity with close partners is because they want to create shared memories. Importantly, people believe that physical distance can disrupt the creation of shared memories, and so they forgo enjoyable experiences apart from their loved one.</p> <p>This also matters for companies seeking to improve customer experience, such as an airline offering free upgrades or shorter wait times. Our findings suggest that, for example, consumers traveling with a companion might not take advantage of services like TSA PreCheck, an airline VIP lounge or a free upgrade if it is available only for themselves. It also helps explain why consumers do not like when <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/travel/airlines-family-seating-dashboard.html">airlines split up families</a> in their seat assignments.</p> <p>However, we also tested a few initiatives marketers can use to encourage people to choose a higher-quality experience that requires them to be apart from their companion. In another experiment, we described a train ride as either a fun part of an excursion or as a practical way to reach a final destination. More participants accepted a free upgrade – even though it required sitting apart from their romantic partner – when they perceived the train ride as utilitarian. That’s because they cared less about creating shared memories during the experience.</p> <h2>What still isn’t known</h2> <p>We still don’t know how this preference affects relationship quality.</p> <p>For example, when can time apart from your partner actually strengthen the relationship? And how should couples split their time between lower-quality activities done together and higher-quality activities done alone? One option for separate activities, for example, might be when one partner’s desired activity does not interest the other.</p> <p>Also, given that people believe physical proximity is a prerequisite for creating shared memories, how can partners who live in different places also cultivate shared memories? This question is especially important in light of how COVID-19 has enabled more people to work and study remotely.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/205363/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ximena-garcia-rada-1238853">Ximena Garcia-Rada</a>, Assistant Professor of Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/texas-aandm-university-1672">Texas A&amp;M University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-norton-145591">Michael Norton</a>, Professor of Business Administration, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/harvard-university-1306">Harvard University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-k-ratner-1439964">Rebecca K. Ratner</a>, Professor of Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-maryland-1347">University of Maryland</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/travelers-will-refuse-an-upgrade-to-sit-near-a-loved-one-new-research-into-when-people-want-to-share-experiences-205363">original article</a>.</em></p>

International Travel

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Are our phones really designed to slow down over time? Experts look at the evidence

<p>It’s usually around this time of year you hear people complain about their phones slowing down. Apple and Google release new versions of their operating systems (OS) and suddenly there’s a slew of people <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51413724">claiming their old devices have started to lag</a> – conveniently just before Christmas. </p> <p>But do manufacturers really slow down our phones on purpose to nudge us towards shiny new ones, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/11/18/936268845/apple-agrees-to-pay-113-million-to-settle-batterygate-case-over-iphone-slowdowns">as has been claimed</a>? </p> <p>The answer to this, as usual, is complicated. Let’s take a look at the evidence.</p> <h2>The ol’ operating system shuffle</h2> <p>Every year, usually around <a href="https://infonewt.com/apple-release-patterns">May and June</a>, tech companies announce their new OS updates. The main news surrounding the releases is often <a href="https://www.macstories.net/stories/ios-and-ipados-15-the-macstories-overview/">new system features</a>such as <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT204380">Facetime</a> enhancements, improvements to <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/7/22522993/apple-siri-on-device-speech-recognition-no-internet-wwdc">voice assistants</a>, or a <a href="https://www.wired.com/2013/06/ios7-redesign/">fancier system design</a>.</p> <p>But did you know these features are optimised for the new hardware traditionally released during the summer, and the chips that come with it? </p> <p>As such, system updates have to be programmed to work towards two goals. The first is to support the new hardware and chip, which deliver the newest features. </p> <p>The second is to continue to work with existing hardware that won’t support the new features. And this means coding the OS so it’s not reliant on the new features having to work.</p> <p>This challenge exists for desktop OSs as well, as evidenced by the recent removal of old systems <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/29/22555371/microsoft-windows-11-cpu-support-hardware-requirements-tpm-response">from the Windows 11 compatibility list</a>. Microsoft decided coding around new features was an insurmountable challenge in some instances. </p> <h2>Hardships with hardware</h2> <p>So your old smartphone won’t support new features – fair enough. But why does it feel like the new OS update is making existing features slower? To understand this, you need to first understand some of the mechanics of chip design.</p> <p>Apple used to use other manufacturers’ chips for its devices, but for the past few years has made its own custom silicon. This is referred to as a “<a href="https://anysilicon.com/what-is-a-system-on-chip-soc/">system on a chip (SoC)</a>, as the entire system exists on a single chip designed and manufactured by Apple.</p> <p>But even if manufacturers design their own chips, it can be hard to predict what consumers will want in the future, and thus which upgrades will come with future iterations of a device. </p> <p>Manufacturers have to write OS updates to suit the latest hardware, so consumers who purchase it can take advantage of the latest features. In doing so, they must work around the fact that older hardware doesn’t have the same capacity. </p> <p>These workarounds mean older devices will run more slowly with the new OS installed, even for tasks the system had done for years. The latest OS is not written to make your old device slower, but because it’s written for the latest device, it can’t help but run more slowly on old hardware. </p> <p>Examples of this abound in the industry, <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/09/ios-14-on-the-iphone-6s-and-se-performance-is-fine-other-stuff-is-not/">with many articles written</a> about a newly released OS version running slow on older devices until the manufacturer optimises it (if they ever do).</p> <p>You might be wondering: if a new OS will slow down old phones, why install the update at all? </p> <p>Well, it’s because people don’t like being told to stick with old features. Apple <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2021/06/07/apple-will-let-users-stay-on-ios-14-and-receive-security-updates-even-after-ios-15-is-released/">recently allowed</a> users of its latest devices to keep the old system, but this is unusual. There is usually a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/update-every-gadget/">push for users to install new OS versions</a>.</p> <h2>It’s all business</h2> <p>The truth is device manufacturers are in the business to make money. And this means being able to sell new devices. </p> <p>While there is often an <a href="https://theconversation.com/upgrade-rage-why-you-may-have-to-buy-a-new-device-whether-you-want-to-or-not-153105">implied expectation</a> from consumers that manufacturers will commit to maintaining old products, at the same time they need to write updates that will work for their latest hardware. </p> <p>Meanwhile, tech companies aren’t doing enough to educate users on how to adjust their settings to get the best out of their phones, or <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/remove-bloatware-phone/">how to manage software bloat</a> which might contribute to a phone slowing down. </p> <p>Compounding this are other factors such as network connection issues, like when the 3G mobile network was stopped.</p> <h2>Burden of proof</h2> <p>There’s something else to consider, too. If an OS update was designed to intentionally slow down a phone over time, this would be very difficult to prove. </p> <p>The system codes are "closed source”, so experts can’t look into them. The best we can do is run timers on different processes and see if they are slowing down over time.</p> <p>But even if they are, is it because of a system update that can’t be supported by old hardware, or is it malicious conduct from the manufacturer? Could the code be written to force the device to sleep for half a second, every ten seconds, with a sleep command? </p> <p>It’s hard to say for sure, although our personal opinion is this is highly unlikely.</p> <h2>Choose not to play</h2> <p>Ultimately, the issue comes down to how device manufacturers sell their products. </p> <p>The best option for their bottom line is to deliver OS updates and features that work with the latest hardware, even if this leaves old devices behind. The evidence suggests manufacturers are not intentionally slowing phones down, but are prioritising the latest release so you’ll buy it. </p> <p>In the meantime, if your slow device is getting you down, the best option is to resist the urge to upgrade. You might get prompts directing you to install the latest OS version (and the frequency of these will depend on the company) but you can ignore them. </p> <p>There may be auto-updates which you can’t avoid, but in most cases these are for security purposes and don’t include major changes or new features. It’s only once these security updates stop coming that you should upgrade.</p> <p>Until then, a phone running on its original OS should, in theory, run well for a long time.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/are-our-phones-really-designed-to-slow-down-over-time-experts-look-at-the-evidence-170962" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Technology

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15 simple fashion upgrades that make you look expensive

<p><strong>Tiny tweaks, big results</strong></p> <p>If you’ve ever wished that you could be one of those people who always looks on-trend and incredibly put together, we’ve got some news for you: you can – and you can do it on a budget. And thank goodness for that, because life is expensive enough as it is without having to overhaul your entire wardrobe every season!</p> <p>The key to looking like you spent a fortune without bankrupting yourself is to shop smart. By knowing some clever style tricks, mixing the right pieces, and investing in a few well-made staples, you can completely transform and elevate your look.</p> <p><strong>Opt for better fabrics</strong></p> <p>You don’t need to plunk down all your spare cash on designer labels – as long as your fabrics are mostly natural and high quality. Nailing the perfect business-casual look, going-out ensemble, or weekend wear comes down to using better fabrics in chic ways, says Ashley Michelle Miller, a celebrity wardrobe stylist who works with everyone from major talk-show hosts to regular women in need of wardrobe refreshing.</p> <p>“It’s all about organic and true fabrics,” she explains. “Cashmere is the way to go, and while those fabrics need a little more love and care with handwashing and dry-cleaning, they can make all the difference and last so much longer than synthetic versions.”</p> <p><strong>Wear dark denim</strong></p> <p>Whether you’re into trendy cut-off hems, boyfriend fits, or slim and tapered ankles, stylists say that a sophisticated dark wash can take you from a runway-worthy day to a night out with friends. The key is choosing the right size and a high-quality dark wash that won’t soon fade.</p> <p><strong>Stock your closet with one great blazer</strong></p> <p>“It’s time to take inventory of your life,” says Miller. “Where do you spend most of your time? That’s where you need to invest your wardrobe budget, in items that make you look your best.”</p> <p>She suggests finely tailored basics like a black blazer with expensive-seeming details.  “Details matter, so a flattering cut with higher-end buttons and fabrics are ways to set you apart.”</p> <p><strong>Mix textures and patterns</strong></p> <p>“Mastering the art of mixing textures and patterns is one of the keys to looking expensive on any budget,” says Bernadette Vajda, an internationally acclaimed model and professional image consultant.</p> <p>“Pair natural silk with other rich fabrics in the same colour scheme like denim or cashmere. Wearing the same colour scheme in different textures will elevate any look.”</p> <p><strong>Splurge on a strong black coat</strong></p> <p>“Invest in classic, high-quality outerwear in timeless black or camel colourways,” shares Vajda. “It will last you decades. Classic styles never expire and will carry you through every decade – warm.”</p> <p><strong>Accentuate your shape</strong></p> <p>“People tend to gravitate toward black or oversized garments to disguise their insecurities,” explains Vajda. “But the key to looking chic is making sure your clothes fit your curves. Don’t hide them or try to cover them up or even try to camouflage. Wear clothes that you’re comfortable in that accentuate your body properly.”</p> <p><strong>Choose undergarments you feel confident in</strong></p> <p>It turns out that the most important layers when making an outfit seem expensive are the bottom and top ones. Underpinnings and coats both pave the way to the most put-together looks.</p> <p>Vajda tells her clients to invest in good, trustworthy shapewear they’ll feel comfortable wearing beneath their favourite pants, dresses and skirts. The goal is to present a smooth silhouette and highlight your body’s natural shape.</p> <p><strong>Buy a well-fitting bra</strong></p> <p>Both Miller and Vajda agree that a supportive bra is necessary for any outfit to deliver an expensive-seeming appearance. If you’re bulging, wearing the wrong size, or not investing in the right cup style for your assets, even the best cashmere can look cheap.</p> <p><strong>Add a colourful dress to your wardrobe</strong></p> <p>That little black dress you already have is great, and Miller suggests making it look expensive with the right shoes, jewellery and beauty routine. But it’s equally important to have a colourful dress in your wardrobe, too.</p> <p>“If evening engagements are a regular thing, you need a little coloured dress – an upgraded riff on everyone’s favourite LBD,” she says. “Getting a solid-coloured dress in a shade that complements your skin tone is a power move. You’ll stand out from the rest and look radiant.”</p> <p><strong>Buy great-quality shoes</strong></p> <p>“Always spend a little more money on quality shoes, as your feet take you everywhere,” explains Vajda. “Do not cheap out on shoes. They are the ‘sole’ of your entire look.” Puns aside, she suggests investing in real leather and handmade shoes that offer trend-forward styling in a last-for-years shape.</p> <p><strong>Care for your shoes properly</strong></p> <p>Take care of the shoes you invest in by cleaning, polishing and hydrating their materials each season so they can keep you walking tall in your most treasured outfits for years to come. Try a protector spray for leather, suede and fabric shoes of all kinds. Stylists suggest using it on your favourite bags, as well.</p> <p><strong>Accessorise with an authentic bag</strong></p> <p>Both stylists stress that bags constructed from high-quality natural materials like leather and canvas are immediate style statements that shouldn’t be squandered. Vajda won’t let her clients sport knock-offs, either. “A good handbag is worth a thousand words, so don’t buy fake,” she says.</p> <p>“Save toward a quality bag that will go from day to night.” And quality doesn’t mean logos. Instead, focus on the way the bag is constructed and if you’ll be able to wear it throughout the day and with a variety of looks.</p> <p><strong>Don't neglect your hair</strong></p> <p>If your hairstyle is on-trend, don’t forget to rock it as a part of your look. You can play up your style with accessories like clips, hats and hair ties, but unforgettable shine and tamed fly-aways are the hallmarks of good hair in any era.</p> <p><strong>Elevate even the simplest basics with details</strong></p> <p>Think there’s no way to make run-of-the-mill weekend sweatshirts look more expensive? Think again. Finer details like specialty linings, prints and unique stitching can make all the difference.</p> <p><strong>Focus on radiant skin and understated makeup</strong></p> <p>Don’t forget to play up your natural features and highlight glowing, radiant skin. “Natural beauty is always in style, and you’ll look expensive just showcasing a well-rested version of your own skin,” says Vajda. “Wear makeup that shows off your own beauty, and don’t go overboard with trends.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/15-simple-fashion-upgrades-that-make-you-look-expensive?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.  </em></p>

Beauty & Style

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More than ever, it’s time to upgrade the Sydney–Melbourne railway

<p>It’s 14 years since former NSW rail chief Len Harper <a href="https://cdn.theconversation.com/static_files/files/2232/CORE21_Laird.pdf?1659317321" target="_blank" rel="noopener">described</a> the rail link between Australia’s two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, as “inadequate for current and future needs”. And it’s 31 years since former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam put the problem more bluntly during a TV interview:</p> <blockquote> <p>there are no cities in the world as close to each other with such large population as Sydney and Melbourne which are linked by so bad a railway.</p> </blockquote> <p>Despite remedial work by the Australian Rail Track Corporation since it leased the NSW section of track, the rail link’s most serious problem – its “steam age” alignment – remains.</p> <p>Is a new, dedicated, high-speed rail link the answer? The Labor government thinks so: among the plans <a href="https://www.gg.gov.au/about-governor-general/media/opening-first-session-forty-seventh-commonwealth-parliament-parliament-house-canberra" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flagged</a> last week when Governor-General David Hurley opened parliament was a pledge to begin work on “nation-building projects like high-speed rail”.</p> <p>That vision isn’t new. A high-speed rail link between Sydney and Melbourne – with trains operating at speeds of 250 kilometres per hour or more on their own track – was first proposed in 1984 by CSIRO. Since then, it has been examined in depth no fewer than three times, most recently in a <a href="https://apo.org.au/node/33517" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> released by the Gillard government in 2013.</p> <p>After it lost government, Labor promoted the idea of a High Speed Rail Planning Authority. Infrastructure Australia <a href="https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/map/corridor-preservation-east-coasthigh-speed-rail" target="_blank" rel="noopener">added its voice</a> in 2016 with a call for governments to start reserving land for a future high-speed rail link between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.</p> <p>The Coalition government preferred a less ambitious option. Its National Faster Rail Agency part-funded numerous studies assessing the viability of lifting speeds on the existing route to between 160 and 250 km per hour.</p> <p>That approach could prove to be the best way forward, at least in the short to medium term. A high-speed link between Sydney and Melbourne might still be built, but it could take 20 years or more to begin operating. In the meantime, faster freight and passenger services are needed between Australia’s two largest cities if we are to meet our commitment to reducing carbon emissions from transport.</p> <p>On average, according to Rail Futures <a href="https://www.railfutures.org.au/2017/07/submission-to-inquiry-into-national-freight-and-supply-chain-priorities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">calculations</a>, rail freight is three times more energy efficient than road, and significantly more energy efficient than cars or planes in moving people.</p> <h2>Limitations of the existing line</h2> <p>Why has rail been losing ground to roads? The mainline track between Sydney and Melbourne – about 640 km of it in New South Wales and 320 km in Victoria – has many defects, some of which became <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/24/victoria-train-derailmentdriver-wrote-of-faults-on-line-before-fatal-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more widely known</a> after the fatal derailment of an XPT in Victoria in February 2020.</p> <p>Much of the track within New South Wales has a “steam age” alignment to ease grades, adding an extra 60 km to the journey. Far too many tight-radius curves slow down freight and passenger trains.</p> <p>On the same TV program as Whitlam made that earlier remark, another former state rail chief, Ross Sayers, argued that a tilt train – a train designed to negotiate curves more quickly – could travel at more than 200 km per hour between Sydney and Melbourne on an upgraded alignment. “We could set the passenger transit time at five, or perhaps five and a half hours,” he said. This is still a good, viable option.</p> <p>Five and a half hours would be half the time the current XPT services take. And the gain isn’t purely speculative: when Queensland straightened much of its track between Brisbane and Rockhampton for faster and heavier freight trains – and then, in 1998, introduced a new tilt train – passenger transit time halved from 14 to seven hours.</p> <p>One major improvement to the Sydney–Melbourne line in recent decades was the installation in 2008 of centralised traffic control signalling, which allows for the remote control of points and signals along the track. Why the track between Australia’s two largest cities had to wait so long even for that upgrade, which was essential for efficient train operations, is a good question. New Zealand’s two largest cities, Auckland and Wellington, were linked by such signalling 42 years earlier, in 1966.</p> <h2>The impact on freight and passengers…</h2> <p>Fifty years ago, rail and road held roughly equal shares of the land freight moving between Sydney and Melbourne. Trucks took about 15 hours to traverse a two-lane Hume Highway that was poorly aligned in many places.</p> <p>Mainly with funds from the federal government, the entire Hume Highway was subsequently rebuilt to modern engineering standards at a cost of about $20 billion in today’s terms. Much larger trucks can now move freight between Sydney and Melbourne in ten hours.</p> <p>The pro-road policies don’t end there. Low road-access road pricing for trucks – an <a href="https://theconversation.com/trucks-are-destroying-our-roads-and-not-picking-up-the-repair-cost-79670" target="_blank" rel="noopener">estimated hidden subsidy</a> of more than $8 per tonne – has combined with the substandard nature of the Sydney–Melbourne rail track to reduce rail’s share of palletised and containerised freight to <a href="https://pacificnational.com.au/australias-major-highway-now-a-conveyor-belt-for-big-trucks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">about 1%</a>, according to rail freight operator Pacific National.</p> <p>The consequences include an increased risk of <a href="https://www.southernhighlandnews.com.au/story/7535357/hume-highway-lanes-re-openfollowing-fiery-two-truck-crash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fatal</a><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/fatal-crash-near-berrima-when-truck-goes-onwrong-side-of-hume-highway-20171014-gz0yn1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">road crashes</a>, higher highway maintenance costs, pressure for more road upgrades, and increased emissions.</p> <p>A detailed 2001 track audit <a href="https://cdn.theconversation.com/static_files/files/2232/CORE21_Laird.pdf?1659317321" target="_blank" rel="noopener">identified</a> how 197 kilometres of new track built to modern engineering standards – including three major deviations from the existing alignment – could bypass 257 km of substandard track. Freight train transit times would then be reduced by nearly two hours.</p> <p>I estimate that if rail were to regain a 50% share of the freight between our two largest cities, emissions would fall by over 300,000 tonnes per annum. In Australia, this is the equivalent of taking about 100,000 cars off the road.</p> <p>As for freight, so for passengers. By 2019, more than nine million passengers were flying each year between Sydney and Melbourne, making this the <a href="https://www.oag.com/hubfs/Free_Reports/Busiest%20Routes/2019/busiest-routes-2019.pdf?hsCtaTracking=ee97d32f-97c9-4625-8a07-481cf63877c5%7C559f8381-6032-446d-9b62-6c16ff1f4bad" target="_blank" rel="noopener">second-busiest</a> air corridor in the world. Tilt trains on upgraded track would speed the passenger journey appreciably while providing <a href="https://theconversation.com/nsw-on-a-slow-track-to-fast-trains-promised-regional-rail-upgrades-are-long-overdue-160932" target="_blank" rel="noopener">long-overdue improvements</a> to rail services between Sydney and regional New South Wales and from Melbourne and Sydney to Canberra.</p> <h2>… and on climate</h2> <p>Along with improving resilience of the track to the impacts of climate change, if Australia is serious about decarbonisation, the effort must extend to transport. A significant portion of road freight and passengers will need to shift to rail. As the International Energy Agency <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/net-zero-by-2050" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted</a> last year, “Rail transport is the most energy efficient and least carbon intensive way to move people and second only to shipping for carrying goods.”</p> <p>The agency also stressed that “aviation growth will need to be constrained by comprehensive government policies that promote a shift towards rail” in order to achieve net-zero emissions.</p> <p>If Australia fails to bring the Sydney–Melbourne track into the 21st century, we can expect not only excessive greenhouse gas emissions but also growing costs from many more trucks on the Hume Highway. Congestion at Melbourne and Sydney airports will worsen, and Australia will be left increasingly out of step with other countries in Europe, North America and Asia.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on The Conversation.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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The Sydney Opera House unveils historic upgrades

<p id="docs-internal-guid-7079734f-7fff-28f3-48ba-27fd4d3951ee" dir="ltr">After being closed for two-and-a-half years of extensive renovations, the Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall is finally ready to reopen to the public.</p> <p dir="ltr">Since closing in 2020, the venue has seen hundreds of construction workers, acousticians, and experts in architecture and heritage help deliver one of the biggest upgrades in nearly 50 years.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re thrilled to be welcoming the community back to the renewed Concert Hall,” Louise Herron AM, the CEO of Sydney Opera House, said in a <a href="https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/content/Non-Indexed/media/newsroom/media-release-soh-unveils-historic-concert-hall-upgrade.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Artists and audiences are set to experience world-class acoustics in a venue that is more accessible, safer and better equipped to present the full breadth of 21st century performance.”</p> <p dir="ltr">With more $190 million invested into the renewal project, improving acoustics and accessibility have been two major priorities.</p> <p dir="ltr">The old acrylic ‘donuts’ hanging above the stage have been replaced with magenta ‘acoustic petals’ - matching the Concert Hall seats - while a new lift and passageway now allows for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility to access all levels, including the Northern Foyer and its stunning harbour views.</p> <p dir="ltr">A state-of-the-art sound system and acoustic diffusion panels have also been installed throughout the venue, along with automated stage risers and other technology to make putting on a performance - whether it be an orchestra or musical - that much easier.</p> <p dir="ltr">Its reopening marks the final project in the Opera House’s Decade of Renewal, which has seen the World Heritage-listed building fitted with a range of improvements and new venues, all without interfering with the original concrete and structures.</p> <p dir="ltr">The venue will reopen to the public from July 20, marked by the return of the <a href="https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/events/whats-on/sydney-symphony-orchestra/2022/simone-young-conducts-mahler-2.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sydney Symphony Orchestra</a> performing Mahler’s <em>Second Symphony</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Lisa Maree Williams (Getty Images), Daniel Boud, Anna Kucera</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Time to upgrade from cloth and surgical masks to respirators? Your questions answered

<p>With the rapid spread of Omicron, many countries are rethinking their COVID mask advice for the community.</p> <p>Respirators have been mandatory in public places in <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210125-austria-makes-ffp2-masks-mandatory-in-shops-public-transport">Austria</a> for a year. Now, the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-masks.html">United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> suggests respirators be considered for greater protection, for instance, on public transport or in enclosed crowded spaces. It’s time to rethink and upgrade masks for you and your family.</p> <h2>What is a respirator?</h2> <p>Respirators, often wrongly called “masks” because of their appearance, are personal protective equipment made to a particular standard and designed to prevent inhalation of hazardous airborne contaminants.</p> <p>In the US, respirator standards are managed by the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/respirators/">National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health</a> (NIOSH), and cover three things: filter efficiency, breathing resistance and fit. A filter that meets the N95 standard (equivalent to Europe’s FFP2) must capture at least 95% of particles in the most penetrating size range at a high flow rate. In Australia, a respirator must meet <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/publication/guidance-medicalsurgical-face-masks-and-respirator-standards-key-performance-aspects">TGA standards</a>.</p> <p>A respirator that consists entirely of filtering material – rather than having layers, say for waterproofing – is called a filtering facepiece respirator (FFR). An FFR can be worn multiple times but must eventually be thrown away. Research suggests FFRs lose their ability to fit well after <a href="https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(11)00770-X/fulltext">20 wears</a> – due to stretching of straps or failure of the nose clip or edge components.</p> <p>The filter material is usually a non-woven polypropylene electret, which means the fibres carry an electrical charge to enhance particle collection while ensuring low breathing resistance.</p> <h2>Why were we told to wear cloth masks at first?</h2> <p>It was initially assumed SARS-CoV-2 spread via droplets (in coughs and sneezes) which caused infection when they landed on the mouth, nose or eyes. For such particles, a cloth or surgical mask is an efficient form of <em>source control</em> to protect others from virus emitted by the wearer.</p> <p>Now it’s understood the virus is <a href="https://theconversation.com/covid-how-the-disease-moves-through-the-air-173490">airborne</a>. Virus-laden particles build up in the air over time indoors because of breathing and speaking.</p> <h2>Will a respirator protect me even if others are unmasked?</h2> <p>It depends on the type of exposure and how long you are exposed. It is important to consider your risk depending on <a href="https://theconversation.com/heres-where-and-how-you-are-most-likely-to-catch-covid-new-study-174473">where you are, what you’re doing, with whom and how long you’re there</a>.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/10/commentary-what-can-masks-do-part-1-science-behind-covid-19-protection">safest situation</a>, especially for prolonged contact in crowded settings, is when everyone is wearing well-fitting N95 respirators.</p> <p>It’s hard to show evidence to support respirator use in the community – but lack of randomised controlled trials (RCT) does not mean they are not effective. Studying masks or respirators at a population level is complex and involves many variables. There is <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020748920301139?via%3Dihub">strong evidence</a> from RCTs in health workers and laboratory studies showing respirators are effective for source control and personal protection.</p> <h2>I really like my cloth mask. Is it OK to keep wearing it?</h2> <p>Probably not. Cloth masks are not made to any particular standard, so their properties and quality vary considerably.</p> <p>In general, they are poor filters of small airborne particles.</p> <h2>Surgical masks are cheaper – can I just switch to those?</h2> <p>Not really. While some surgical masks may have better filtration capacity than cloth masks, they were designed primarily to prevent the emission of large droplets. Some medical-grade surgical masks may also offer protection from body fluid splashes or sprays. No surgical mask will prevent the emission or inhalation of small infectious particles, however.</p> <p>A key deficiency of surgical and cloth masks is their loose fit compared to respirators.</p> <p>While some older, hard-cup style respirators may be uncomfortable, newer styles are <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/01/11/n95-masks-cdc-walensky/">better tolerated</a>. This may be due to their greater surface area, which could contribute to lower breathing resistance.</p> <h2>Should I have my respirator professionally fitted?</h2> <p>No. When respirators are used to protect workers from airborne hazards such as dust or pollution, employers are legally required to undertake fit-testing (see for example the US <a href="https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134">Occupational Safety and Health Administration</a> fit-testing standard). But even non-fit tested respirators will provide <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1750-2659.2011.00198.x">superior protection</a>over cloth or surgical masks.</p> <p>A respirator should rest against your face with no gaps, especially around the nose and chin. To create a tight seal, form the nose clip and place both straps around your head, adjusting them if necessary.</p> <p>If the facepiece collapses a small amount when you inhale, the respirator probably fits well. Get in the habit of doing a <a href="https://youtu.be/pGXiUyAoEd8?t=140">“self seal-check”</a> before each wear.</p> <h2>Shouldn’t respirators be reserved for healthcare professionals?</h2> <p>No. Early in the pandemic, the public were discouraged from buying respirators because of a global shortage of personal protective equipment and the assumption healthcare workers were at higher risk of catching COVID from so-called “aerosol-generating procedures” such as intubation.</p> <p>We now know <a href="https://associationofanaesthetists-publications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/anae.15475">everyday activities like talking and singing</a> are <em>more</em> likely to generate infectious aerosols than medical procedures.</p> <p>As with vaccines, there are global equity issues and we need to <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2021/01/07/national-hi-fi-mask-initiative-needed-with-vaccine-rollouts/">expand manufacturing capacity</a> to ensure sufficient supply for everyone.</p> <h2>What about the cost and environmental impact?</h2> <p>Compared to cloth masks, respirators (which are not washable) cost more and have a greater environmental impact. But disposable respirators can be used for <a href="https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2020/12110/determination_of_the_optimal_time_for_n95.143.aspx">extended periods</a> if they are not wet or damaged, and there are re-usable options such as <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/elastomeric-respirators-strategy/index.html">elastometric respirators</a>. A respirator should be thrown away when it gets dirty or the straps, nose clip or other components lose their integrity.</p> <p>Costs and environmental concerns need to be weighed against the costs and waste produced by a single COVID hospital admission. In Australia, the average daily cost of an Intensive Care Unit stay has been <a href="https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2019/211/7/financial-cost-intensive-care-australia-multicentre-registry-study">estimated at $4375</a>.</p> <h2>What if I can’t afford or get my hands on a N95 respirator?</h2> <p>The Korean KF94 and Chinese KN95s are cheaper alternatives that provide better protection than a surgical or cloth mask. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/12-signs-you-have-a-fake-n95-kn95-or-kf94-mask/?smtyp=cur&amp;smid=tw-nytimes">Beware counterfeits</a>, such as those without a GN stamp to show they meet manufacturing standards.</p> <p>If you can’t get hold of a respirator, you can <a href="https://ozsage.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/OzSage-Masks1-4.pdf">improve protection of a surgical or cloth mask</a>.</p> <p>Options include “<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2778913">double masking</a>” by wearing a tight-fitting cloth mask over a surgical mask. You can also “knot and tuck” a surgical mask by tying the sides and tucking the remainder inside. Finally, a well-designed cloth mask (with three layers) can perform as well as a good quality surgical mask.</p> <p>It’s still true that something is better than nothing. But don’t count on these types of masks to provide the same level of protection for the same amount of time as an N95 respirator.</p> <h2>Respirators should be provided and required</h2> <p>The World Health Organization has stressed the importance of a “vaccines-plus” approach.</p> <p>There is a strong case, when prevalence of COVID is high, for governments to both mandate and fund the provision of respirators for the public, <a href="https://www.cbs58.com/news/500-000-n95-masks-given-away-in-48-hours-more-on-the-way">as some parts of the US</a> are now doing.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/time-to-upgrade-from-cloth-and-surgical-masks-to-respirators-your-questions-answered-174877">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Body

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How to guarantee an upgrade to first class on your long haul flight

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When booking international travel tickets, most people either focus on the price of the flights or tend to go with an airline they have trusted in the past. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What a lot of travellers don’t consider is the language used on the booking sites, which can hold the key to deals.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One frequent flyer, Cameron Stewart, has shared his own hot tip he has used to ensure he guarantees a business class ticket for less than the price of an economy seat. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to Cameron, adjusting the language settings on an airline's booking website can result in instant savings. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He shared the tip to his Instagram account, with a picture of him and his partner putting the hack into practice. </span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkaCyRNHdJa/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkaCyRNHdJa/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Cameron Stewart (@cameronstewart_uk)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He wrote, “Travel hack!!! Sometimes it pays to learn a language! I played around with the LATAM website months ago and found if I changed the language from English to Spanish - the business class bed seats became cheaper than economy.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I used google translate to book my tickets - and here we are about to embark on a 6 hour flight with a bed for a cheaper price than it is in economy!"</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to Cameron, the deals could be down to successfully leveraging the conversion costs of foreign currencies. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite Cameron’s past success with the hack, he said the results can be sporadic at best. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"With airline pricing going up and down, sideways and in circles on a daily basis – it sometimes works, sometimes it doesn't. It's worth checking out though — and you learn the Spanish word for 'passport number'!" he jokes.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Shutterstock</span></em></p>

Travel Tips

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How can you find out what your car is worth?

<p>When it’s time to upgrade our car, we need to find out what our current vehicle is worth. But what’s the best way to do that?</p> <p>Whether we like it or not, our cars are always depreciating. From the moment we sign the papers and hand over our money for a new car, the dollar value of that vehicle goes down with time.</p> <p>So, if you feel it’s time to upgrade your car, how do you find out its market value?</p> <p><strong>The easiest way to do a car market value check is through car websites with a car market value calculator. You could also browse car sales listings to see how much other people are selling or willing to buy the same model for. </strong></p> <p>Whatever method you use, it’s essential to understand that your <strong>car’s market value</strong> is only a rough indicator. Your car has its own amount of damage – you may have a slight ding here or there – and it also depends how old your car is and how well you’ve serviced it over the years.</p> <p>So, if you’re planning to sell your car online, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the same dollar amount that other cars of the same model and year have been advertised for.</p> <p>Here’s a bit more information on how to get as close as possible to what is the value of your car and what price you should advertise it for.</p> <p><strong>Using Google is a useful method</strong></p> <p>These days, all you have to do is Google the term ‘What is my car market value?’ to find a long list of helpful websites. From there, find one that has a <strong>car market value calculator</strong>. These calculators are databases which help you find the information you need based on the car brand, model, and manufacturing year.</p> <p>One well-known website which has been around for a long time is Redbook and they do car valuations for a small amount. They ask for a lot of detail including if you’ve had any accidents, how many kilometres the car’s done etc.</p> <p>Again, remember when you get these valuations, they are still mainly indicators. But these give you a good idea of the price range your car should be in.</p> <p><strong>Also check your car sales listings</strong></p> <p>Another way to get an understanding of your car's market value is to check car sales listings. As you might already know, there are plenty of websites in Australia and beyond which allow people to put their cars up for sale.</p> <p>Using this method, you will need to do some 'detective work' to check your car market value. So, browse these car sales websites and look for any cars which match your vehicle’s brand, model, and manufacturing year. See if you can find one that’s close to the same condition as yours as well.</p> <p>From there, find out how much the sellers are putting their cars up for. Firstly, those prices act as valuable indicators of your car’s market value. But more importantly, it’ll also show you how much the market is willing to pay for a vehicle like yours.</p> <p>With this kind of approach, your <strong>car market value check</strong> isn’t just about finding out indicators. It’s also helpful because it gives you a clear sense of how much money you could realistically get from potential buyers.</p> <p><strong>Finally, good luck!</strong></p> <p>Working out what your car is worth is not easy and it is always open to different opinions. For example, in one state of Australia a certain car could be worth more than in another state.</p> <p>But if you follow the steps we've talked about, you'll get a very good idea of what you can expect to sell your car for. The next step is to list it on an online car sales site and see if you can sell it for as close as possible to the price you've valued it at.</p> <p>There's always and element of luck to this part because it depends if you find a buyer who really wants your car - the brand, the model etc. So, good luck!</p> <p><em>Photo: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em> </em></p> <p> </p>

Money & Banking

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Give yourself some power: Why you should upgrade your recliners and sofas

<p>Whether you’re returning home after a long day of work, or you’re sitting back and enjoying the fruits of your labour in retirement – you want to be as comfortable as possible, right?</p> <p>If you’re sitting on a couch that you’ve had for 20 years and you find yourself sinking into the spot you’ve been claiming as yours over that time, you might be in need of an upgrade. Or perhaps the sofa you bought last year just doesn’t seem to sit right in your living area anymore. Whatever the case, upgrading your current lounge to a <a href="https://www.la-z-boy.com.au/">new recliner or sofa</a> will not only enhance your comfort, it’ll change the aesthetics of your home.</p> <p>Here’s our tips on why you should upgrade, and what to consider:</p> <p><strong>A mood enhancer</strong></p> <p>If your old lounges and sofas are starting to look a little drab, it can really impact your mood when you’re trying to relax. It’s difficult to lie back and watch Netflix when in the back of your mind, all you can think about is how uncomfortable you feel. By upgrading to a new recliner or sofa, you will enhance your viewing pleasure, and you’ll feel much better for it. At the end of the day, your personal style and comfort are reflections of how you feel on the inside, and that upgrade might just hit the mark in feeling your best.</p> <p><strong>Change is as good as a holiday</strong></p> <p>You might have heard the saying that “a change is as good as a holiday”. So, when you can’t hit the airways and take off overseas, or you’re counting down the days when you can skip over the border to visit your family, making your home brighter and fresher can make a huge difference to the aesthetics of your home. Think bright colours, if life is feeling a little bit gloomy, or choose a design that’s sleek, elegant and sophisticated to match the person inside you want others to see shine through.</p> <p><strong>Choosing the right upgrade – Power, Traditional, Contemporary and more!</strong></p> <p>When upgrading your sofa, you want to make sure you’re getting something that is not only going to be the epitome of <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.la-z-boy.com.au/comfort-guides-au" target="_blank">comfort</a>, but also one that’s going to go the distance. Although you’ll find there are plenty of options on the market, a <a href="https://www.la-z-boy.com.au/recliners/power">power recliner</a> is by far one of the most popular, allowing you to have full control over your seating position with the simple push of a button. Conventional style recliners, on the other hand, have a lever that you can pull, and it pulls the leg rest up, allowing you to lie back and relax. Either option is going to enhance your ultimate relaxation preferences.</p> <p>Traditional recliners, such as the <a href="https://www.la-z-boy.com.au/eden-rocker-recliner">Eden</a> and <a href="https://www.la-z-boy.com.au/serenity-rocker-recliner">Serenity</a> Rocker with La-Z-Boy, are guaranteed to suit any home design. They’re built to last, comfortable and affordable. Step things up a notch with the stylish Scandinavian-inspired designs, such as the <a href="https://www.la-z-boy.com.au/recliners/rolf-nordic-recliner">Rolf Nordic</a> or <a href="https://www.la-z-boy.com.au/recliners/asta-nordic-recliner">Asta Nordic</a>; or opt for something more contemporary to maximise your home’s space and aesthetics, with the <a href="https://www.la-z-boy.com.au/anika-onyx-rocker-recliner">Anika Onyx</a> or <a href="https://www.la-z-boy.com.au/duor-colorado-power-recliner">Duo<strong>® </strong>Colorado</a>. Or even a power option such as the <a href="https://www.la-z-boy.com.au/sofas-modulars/taylor-2-seater-twin-power-recliner">Taylor Twin 2 Seater Power Recliner</a>. If you want to upgrade even further, upgrade to leather from fabric, or customise any of your favourites with dozens of colours and textures, arms and bases for free. Bring out your internal designer, and give yourself some power, by making the choice that’s right for you and your personal style.</p> <p><strong>The best option</strong></p> <p>There’s no single best option – it really depends on your own comfort and style preferences. Power recliners come with various positions and settings, and the value in comfort and support you get is worth the extra upgrade. Both are easy to maintain provided they are looked after, and the fabric chosen is one that’s easy to clean. Regardless of which type of recliner or sofa you buy, if you choose one from a reputable brand like La-Z-Boy with generous warranties, you’ll have it for many years to come. </p> <p><em>This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with </em><a href="https://www.la-z-boy.com.au/"><em>La-Z-Boy</em></a><em>. </em></p>

Home & Garden

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Cruise insider reveals trick to bagging cabin upgrade that WORKS

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cruise ships are not so different from hotel rooms and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and amenities. While some passengers would prefer to save a few hundred dollars by going for a smaller room so they can enjoy their time out in the sun or in the ocean - there are passengers who prefer a level of luxury that can cost. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A former Carnival Cruise Line employee Joshua Kisner told </span><a href="https://www.express.co.uk/travel/cruise/1147756/cruises-2019-cruise-2020-ship-cabin-upgrade-crew-purser-passenger"><span style="font-weight: 400;">express.co.uk </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">there are simple tips to get a free upgrade so passengers might enjoy lapping in luxury without scraping the back of their wallets. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In Kisner’s book, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Truth About Cruise Ships, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">he wrote sometimes the ships he worked on were fully booked, meaning the only way to get an upgrade was if there were no-shows (cruisers who paid but for some reason or another couldn’t make it onboard). </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The pursers didn’t know if there were any no shows until the ship sailed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Most of the time the cruise line was very accommodating and unfortunately, the ones who complain themes usually got the most compensation.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If a passenger goes out of their way to seek out the cruiser after the cruise ship has set sail, they may be able to get a room upgrade. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are looking to do this, it is advised not to unpack - so scooting to another cabin will be of ease. </span></p>

Cruising

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It's HUGE! Roger Federer's wife's "upgraded" engagement ring stole the limelight at Wimbledon

<p>Mirka Federer was there supporting her husband Roger Federer as he played against Novak Djokovic in an intense five-hour game in the men’s finals on Sunday.</p> <p>Although Roger didn’t end up going home with another grand slam title under his belt, many fans were distracted by Mirka’s impressive engagement ring, which has reportedly been upgraded from her original ring.</p> <p>The stunning piece of jewellery is believed to be a one-of-a-kind design from a Brazilian jeweller H. Stern, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com.au/bazaar-bride/mirka-federer-engagement-ring-16875" target="_blank"><em>Harper’s Bazaa</em><em>r</em></a>.</p> <p>The emerald-cut diamond ring is encircled by a snake-like band which is covered in several smaller diamonds in a white-gold or platinum setting.</p> <p>The current style is definitely an upgrade on Mirka's original ring, which was a smaller emerald-cut diamond.</p> <p>The mother-of-four attracted attention by taking her children along to see their dad play in the men’s finals.</p> <p>The couple’s nine-year-old twin daughters, Myla and Charlene are the oldest, while their four-year-old twin sons Leo and Lenny were also there to watch dad and cheer him on.</p> <p>The intense match between Roger and Novak Djokovic went on for a staggering five hours, and BBC commentator Andrew Castle switched the conversation to Mirka’s ring, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/9505912/mirka-federer-ring-andrew-castle-wimbledon-tennis/" target="_blank"><em>The Sun</em></a>.</p> <p>He said: "Doesn’t look like costume jewellery, does it, on the finger?”</p> <p>Tennis fans were quick to blast him as Castle had made remarks previously as to how much the men’s finalists earn.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the ring as well as the lovely Federer children in the crowd cheering on their dad, Roger.</p>

Money & Banking

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Flight attendant reveals the one thing that will stop you from getting an upgrade

<p>A flight attendant has revealed the innocent request that may diminish your chances of nabbing an upgrade.</p> <p>Before boarding, passengers have the liberty to choose between special meals depending on their dietary requirements. And while it’s a service that’s convenient for those who are vegetarian or gluten-free, it’s apparently what reduces their chance of being upgraded to business class.</p> <p>Flight attendant Neil Jackson, author of <em>Welcome Aboard,</em> spoke to <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/auhome/index.html" target="_blank">Mail Online</a> </em>and said: “Crew say veggies (vegetarians) hardly ever get upgraded, because there might not be a suitable meal for them upfront.”</p> <p>He also mentioned that those who are considered frequent flyers and have no known food allergies are more likely to hit the jackpot.</p> <p>Nik Loukas, a former Qantas flight attendant agreed, saying that those hoping for an upgrade should avoid requesting special meals.</p> <p>Speaking to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/" target="_blank"><em>Business Insider</em></a>, Mr Loukas said: “Because you’ve got dietary requirements, they might not be able to cater for you if they upgrade you.”</p> <p>Mr Loukas is the brains behind popular food blog <em>InflightFeed</em> where he reviews the latest airline food.</p> <p>Having accumulated over 25,000 followers on Instagram, the former flight attendant reveals the best, and the worst, in-flight meals.</p> <p>But despite the revelations, a spokesperson for Qantas has said the claims were “untrue” and if a passenger was to be upgraded, their dietary requirements would be catered for.</p> <p>Have you ever been upgraded on a flight? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Travel Tips

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Boy scores upgrade after writing adorable note to Jetstar

<p>A little boy with a love of planes has had his flying dreams come true, thanks to a sweet letter he wrote to Jetstar.</p> <p>Jasper Francis, 9, wrote a thoughtful note to the airline asking about a possible upgrade to business class on his upcoming flight to Bangkok, Thailand.</p> <p>Jasper, who dreams of becoming a pilot when he is older, said he was saving all his pocket money in the hopes of one day flying in the pointy end of the plane.</p> <p><img width="431" height="242" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/da8c3e4141cd4ca4213d5a1b181f4604?width=650" alt="Jasper Francis wrote an adorable note to Jetstar asking about an upgrade." style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>His letter reads: “My name is Jasper Francis and I am 9 years old and live an hour outside of Melbourne.</p> <p>“I was just wondering whether kids are allowed to fly business class by themself (sic)? I am saving my pocket money to get an upgrade on our flight: MEL-BKK on your Boeing 787 Dreamliner.</p> <p>“So far I have saved $85, how much more do I need to save?</p> <p>“Yours sincerely, Jasper.”</p> <p><img width="411" height="231" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/e2d40cca7c95c58d096dace6ed1429ed?width=650" alt="An extra nice touch." style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>The note touched the hearts of 20 Jetstar staff members, who donated their $50 Christmas gift vouchers they each received at Christmas to make Jasper’s dream come true.</p> <p>And that’s not all! The aviation enthusiast and his family were invited on a tour of Jetstar’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners on the weekend, where he got to sit in the pilot’s seat in the cockpit.</p> <p>Jasper’s parents told Nine’s Today show he has always been fascinated by planes.</p> <p>“Jasper’s always wanted to travel business class, and every time we go to an airport he’ll go up to the reservation desk and ask them if he can be upgraded to business class,” mum Anna Francis said.</p> <p>Jasper said he wanted to be a pilot some day and loved the experience of being in the sky.</p> <p>“I just feel like I’m on top of everything, looking at the beautiful views down below,” he told <em>Today</em>.</p>

International Travel

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The free NBN upgrade that could save you $120

<p>Many Aussie households are unaware that they are eligible for an NBN upgrade and those with standard (25Mbps) plans could save an average of $120 a year according to <a href="http://clickmeterlink.com/9SAVER_WO_BROADBAND?utm_source=9SAVER&amp;utm_medium=WEB&amp;utm_campaign=WHISTLEOUT_BROADBAND_NATIONAL" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">whistleout.com.au</span></strong></a>.</p> <p>Last year, NBN changed its wholesaling pricing, making the 50-speed plan the same price as the standard plan.</p> <p>Whistleout.com.au said, “We would strongly recommend that any NBN users currently on a 25 plan contact their provider to request a free upgrade to [a 50 Mbps speed], since 50 plans are now being sold at 25 prices. Some carriers are already offering this, but if you don’t ask you might not get it.”</p> <p>Trevor from <a href="https://www.9saver.com.au/telco-broadband/1918/how-to-request-an-nbn-upgrade-and-save-up-to-120" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>9Saver</strong></span></a> has shared a template letter that those who are on the Standard NBN 25Mbps plan can use to secure their free upgrade:</p> <p><em>"Dear Internet Service Provider</em></p> <p><em>Given NBN Co is now charging internet service providers the same for NBN 50 plans as it is for NBN 25 plans, I would like to request an upgrade to the higher speed.</em></p> <p><em>If my internet service provider is paying the same for a higher-speed connection, then as an existing customer I should receive the same deal.</em></p> <p><em>I would prefer not to enter a long-term contract because NBN pricing is likely to change again in April so I want to keep my options open.</em></p> <p><em>Yours Sincerely,</em> <em>Your name here</em></p> <p><em>Account # your account number here"</em></p> <p>Have you upgraded your NBN plan for free? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Technology

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