Hey there, Travellers,

Rarely ones to rock the boat, fancy Middle Eastern airline Emirates has been causing a bit of drama recently among their bougiest customers. 

The airline plans to prevent travellers from collecting or spending rewards points on kids sitting in first class. That in itself may not seem like a big deal, but it's sparked a debate about whether the young'uns should even be allowed in premium cabins.

So what do you think, readers? Are you happy to share your slice of paradise at 38,000 ft with children? Let us know in the comments or in the inbox.

Happy travels and safe landings,

When incredibly wise Travellers like yourselves join Jack's Flight Club, we ask which destinations are on your wishlist (you can update those in your Members Lounge profile btw). The top ten is surprisingly consistent across all regions, with countries like Spain, Japan, Italy, Thailand, Canada, and the USA firm favourites for everyone. 

But there's another li'l place you might have heard of that pops up time and time again: Australia. And since we've been seeing sooo many great Flights there recently, it only seems right that we revisit one of our fave reader questions from a couple of years ago…

Good choice, reader, Melbourne is a cracker! It has newly been crowned Australia’s largest city, yet still lives in Sydney’s opera-house-shaped shadow. A month is a long time, but we’re more than happy to recommend a few ways to maximise your stay.

Getting around

Don’t worry about buying a transport pass for getting around. Many of Melbourne’s most popular tourist attractions are located in and around the CBD (central business district) and the Docklands. Not only does this mean it’s pretty walkable, but it also means a lot of the places you want to visit are within the city’s Free Tram Zone.

For the full hop-on-hop-off tour experience, stick to the City Circle Tram (no. 35). It provides plenty of history and cheesy chat at no extra cost, plus the added charm of an old school tram. The main downside is that it’s marketed squarely at tourists, so it’s likely to be packed full of slightly lost-looking rucksack wearers during summer in particular.

As you’re staying for over a month, reader, you’re likely going to be spending time outside the CBD, too. We recommend picking up a myki travel card for those days when you’re travelling on trains, buses and trams outside the Free Tram Zone.

Food, glorious food

Usually we wouldn’t suggest disappearing down back lanes to escape the hustle and bustle, but we’ll make an exception in Melbourne. It’s famous for “European-style” cobblestone laneways featuring bold street art and hole-in-the-wall bars and restaurants that spill out onto the street.

The city has earned itself a reputation as a foodie paradise, and it’s in these backstreets that you’re going to stumble across the crème de la crème. From a simple pastrami on rye to Malaysian street food and Italian fine dining, there's a treasure trove of cuisines hidden away in the labyrinth.

But how do you choose where to start when the world is (somewhat literally) your oyster? Here are a few JFC favourites to help you get started:

• Lune Croissants: Never thought you’d queue round the block for a cruffin? Think again. They are (somewhat controversially) home to the best croissants in the world—including any in France. Our in-house Aussie, Larissa, recommends going mid-morning to avoid the mad rush.
• Hardware Société: Fancy Aussie brunch with a French twist. So fancy, in fact, that they even have cafés in Paris and Barcelona, so you know it’ll be worth the wait. It’s walk-in only, so the earlier you get there, the better.
• Brunetti Classico: A true Melbourne institution for anyone with a sweet tooth. It’s an authentic, family-run Italian café known for its cakes, pastries and gelato. Even if you don’t have time to sit in, stop by their gelato bar for a scoop or two!

Out and about

We jumped into the JFC Facebook Community to see what our members were recommending for Melbourne, and the number one thing that came up again and again was a day trip along the Great Ocean Road.

Keep reading...

Hey Maria! 

Thanks so much for getting in touch and asking for help finding an awesome trip. First off, big congratulations for surviving cancer, as well as for your daughter's birthday. It's always worth celebrating!

Unfortunately, Thanksgiving can be a really expensive time to fly. Fares to Europe, which we like to see under $550 RT, are frequently closer to $1,000 RT. That being said, there are still good options out there if you're a bit flexible to come back on the Monday or Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Paris
• New York
• London
• Rome

If you do need to travel only that week, the best options I can find are:

• San Francisco
• Milan
• Boston

Prices over this period can be so expensive, but I hope this helps. Airfares will keep going up and down over the next couple of months, so if none of these seem quite right, keep an eye on Google Flights. 

Congratulations again to you and your daughter, I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time, wherever you celebrate.

La Dolce Vita

Here are some of the fantastic tips you shared for Akasha's upcoming Italian jaunt. Spritzes at the ready!

Over to you! Got any tips, questions, or recent travel stories to share with your fellow readers? Pop them in the comment section. Nothing's off limits (except the things that are, obviously)! 

• First came Boaty McBoatface, then came Gritney Spears and David Plowie. Now, I present to you, Ctrl Alt Deleaf.
  
  
• "Hold on to your hat, it's about to get windy!" - the words somebody should have said to their now cold-headed travel buddies at Yellowstone National Park.
  
  
• The World Stone Skimming Championships might sound fairly wholesome, but this year's competition found itself thrust into headlines thanks to a scandal we can only describe as Pebblegate.
  
  
• From spores to shore, this mycologist just made history by rowing a fungus kayak across the open waters of the Atlantic, inspiring eco-innovation talks.
  
  
• And finally, Fat Bear Week has begun once again! It's a grizzly competition, and we wouldn't be surprised if the claws come out. Who’s the chonkiest? You decide!