As of 31 October 2012, Australian passport holders arriving into Aeroparque Buenos Aires from an international flight are required to pay an entry fee online of $100.00 USD per entry, per person. As of 28 December 2012, the above regulation also applies to passengers arriving at Ezeiza Airport Buenos Aires.

These fees must be paid prior to departure. Failure to do so will result in passengers being denied boarding at departure point or denied entry into Argentina.

I was very lucky to experience Etihad Airways Pearl Business Class between Sydney and London.

Stepping into the business class cabin it has a spacious and comfortable feel with a seating layout of 1-2-1 which means all passengers have aisle access. Seats are very comfortable and convert into a 6ft 1 inch fully flat bed with mood lighting, a big pillow and comfy blanket. On-board dining is definitely a highlight of the journey with an on-board Food & Beverage manager taking care of your needs. The dine when you like 'Anytime Kitchen' is a great concept that allows you to choose any meal from the extensive menu and eat whenever you want. Meals are prepared on-board and can be paired with matching wines. Abu Dhabi is the home airport of Etihad Airways and has an excellent business class lounge to enjoy while waiting for your onward flight. Relax with a complimentary spa treatment by Six Senses, freshen up with a shower as your clothes are ironed and shoes polished or you may want to continue eating at the international buffet selection. Etihad Airways fly to Abu Dhabi and beyond from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane daily and offer business class travellers a truly five star on-board experience.

DESTINATION

Hong Kong

Qantas has announced the launch of 'Select on Q-Eat', a new online meal selection service for International Business customers. Customers in International Business Class will be able to pre-select their meals from the current inflight menu, along with additional dishes exclusively available online. 

Customers travelling in Business Class will be invited via email to make their supper selection through the 'Select on Q-Eat' website up to 24 hours before departure.  The email invitation will be sent to all Business Class customers three days prior to travel. The service will be piloted on flights from Los Angeles to Australia on QF12, QF16, QF94 and QF108 and Qantas will look to extend its application across a wider range of their services.

Rumours of Qatar Airways joining the oneworld airline alliance have been confirmed, with British Airways set to sponsor Qatar into the group.

Virgin Australia frequent flyers holding Silver status in the airline's Velocity programme will lose their access to the priority check-in lane from mid-November.

According to an email advisory sent by the airline to Velocity members. "Changes to Silver member benefits from 12 November 2012 mean that Silver members will no longer be able to access Priority Check-in when flying domestically with Virgin Australia."

Only Gold, Platinum and Business Class guests can use our Priority Checkin/Boarding queues. And Premium Economy guests where there is a premium economy product. Silvers will retain priority check-in for international flights, however, along with priority check-in and boarding on flights with Virgin Australia partners Delta and Virgin America.

Qantas will add new flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Singapore from March 31 next year when the airline shifts its European hub to Dubai under the Qantas-Emirates alliance.

In further Singapore news, Qantas will close its first class lounge at Singapore Changi Airport, leaving only a business lounge for Qantas business class travellers as well as Platinum and Gold frequent flyers.

Air France-KLM and Etihad Airways announced a codesharing agreement in the first phase of what could become a broader strategic partnership. Air France, which has hit financial headwinds, also unveiled a similar deal with Air Berlin, the sixth biggest European carrier.

The agreements, which allow each airline to offer service provided by its partners, will cover destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.

Langham Hospitality Group announces the purchase ot The Setai Fifth Avenue hotel located at 400 Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan, New York.  The hotel is scheduled to join the Langham portfolio in January 2013. 

To be rebranded as Langham Place, the hotel will epitomise luxury living in the 21st century in Manhattan, New York with its contemporary accommodation, stylish design and stimulating art.  The hotel's modern and elegant design is a perfect fit with the Langham Place brand and provides a great opportunity for the Group to introduce our sense of stimulating hospitality to New York.

This strategic purchase signals the Group's plans for long-term expansion in key gateway cities in the United States.  Currently, The Langham hotels are located in Boston, Pasadena Los Angeles, and Chicago (opening Third Quarter of 2013).

**Higher Amex Membership Reward points apply to Business Ascent tier and David Jones Cards only.