Ian McIntosh's top travel deals - Hong Kong Sevens

CATHAY PACIFIC advises The ultimate rugby weekend is back. Experience the thrill of the Hong Kong Sevens in 2026 with our online exclusive early-bird packages starting from $1,488. Book now with the discount code EARLYR7AU to lock in exclusive early-bird deals on Flight + Event Ticket packages.

HX EXPEDITIONS is the world's longest-running expedition cruise company. With bookings now open for the 2026 Antarctica season voyages, HX is offering some great sales to incentivise travellers to take that next step with up to $7,635 off all-inclusive expeditions. Conditions apply. Itineraries include Highlights of Antarctica - 12 days with savings of $1264. Book by December 3. 

HURTIGRUTEN is discounting one of its top-selling tour packages -  Oslo - Honningsvåg - Rovaniemi – Helsinki. Travel by rail, sea, and land through breathtaking Nordic landscapes and Arctic wonders and save $1000 per cabin and receive $1000 in onboard credit. 

QANTAS Red Tail international sale is on - but you only have until November 5. From the bright lights of Los Angeles to the lively beaches of Bali, discover spectacular sights and savings.

WQ HOTEL Wellington is celebrating its arrival with 20% off long weekend stays plus complimentary breakfast. The hotel features 108 bright and contemporary rooms with sweeping city skyline views equipped with modern amenities including high-speed WiFi.

ACCOR invites you to save 20% or more and double your reward points. Book by 1st December 2025 and stay between December 8 2025 and March 15 2026. You'll automatically enjoy both offers combined.

PONANT EXPEDITIONS latest offer means you can save 10% on combined itineraries next year in Europe. Itineraries include 16 nights from Athens to Malaga departing October 22 2026. 

FROM LAST WEEK:

VIKING: Book a 2026-2028 river voyage and fly free up to the value of $5000 per couple. Use code FFR25.

LUXURY ESCAPES has a deal if you are heading to London. The hotel is the Marble Arch near Hyde Park - get two nights in a deluxe room, plus buffet breakfast, plus a bottle of wine for from $649.

ALDI HOLIDAYS - yes the supermarket people - always have holiday deals - how about the Pacific Jewels holiday - 21 nights fly/cruise/stay featuring Hawaii, Tahiti and New Zealand priced from $4999. Sail with Royal Caribbean in October 2026. Aldi claims the value is as much as $9,000.

TRADE ONLY: The Travel Industry Club invites you to experience the future of cruising with Celebrity Edge. Edge—one of the most talked-about ships at sea—is sailing in our waters this summer, and limited availability remains on select departures. According to Sue Francis: This ship offers revolutionary design with private spaces and dedicated service. Great deals on Azamara as well.

Remember conditions always apply to these specials. Check airline prices from your capital city. I recommend you use a travel agent - and travel insurance is essential. Finally I make mistakes like all of us. Check websites to confirm details. Got a travel problem? Send us details to ianmac@travelagentupdate.com. Ian McIntosh is Australia's senior traveller.

Ian McIntosh's Top Travel Deals - Singapore Airlines

People often ask me - how do you know if an airline's Early Bird deal is value? Well I put in a set of dates - and check the price of all airlines - currently February 17 to London, return March 14 2026. I don't use Adelaide as the home port because the city of churches always gets ripped off. I am looking at business class. I would also advise don't always take the word of Webjet - carriers can have private deals for regular flyers. So - the best deals - Turkish $7021 (2 stops) Malaysia $7900, Qatar $9358, Singapore Airlines $9772, Emirates $10558. Remember you need to look carefully at what you are buying - do you really want to stopover for ???? hours? Best deal in my opinion - Malaysia Airlines. Looking forward to trying the new A330 Neo.

Ian McIntosh's Top Travel Deals - Malaysia Airlines

MALAYSIA AIRLINES says it is time for the flight of your dreams aboard the new A330 Neo. I don't know about other states  but in Adelaide the aircraft takes off in March next year. Long overdue I might add - the current aircraft is very tired inside. We had duct tape on the arm of one of the seats I was told the other day. I have checked the business class deals - they certainly are good value.

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA says from today until October 31 2025, Velocity Frequent Flyer members can earn up to 150% bonus Velocity Points on eligible Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways flights between Australia and Doha based on the fare type booked. Have to say I have looked at using Qatar from Adelaide - and business is still  very expensive. Check the applicable dates of travel.

HELLOWORLD is promoting a Globus deal - 17 day Spain, Portugal and Morocco tour - 16 nights from $6,156 - a saving of $500pp. Included is breakfast daily, two lunches and eight dinners.

ACCOR wonders if you are heading to New Zealand? This summer, save 15% on stays of two nights or more plus 5% extra for ALL members. From Pullman and Mövenpick to Novotel and ibis, your escape awaits.

QATAR has announced early bird fares to Europe. In the good old days these used to mean something - check to see if that is still the case. Book by 31 October 2025, for travel from 19 January until 31 October 2026. Examples: London Economy $1929 - Business $9409. Offer valid until 31 October 2025. Check the price from your home port. See also special fares to New York. As well, book exclusive flight + hotel packages in Phuket, Bangkok, Maldives and Doha by 31 October 2025 to collect 3x Avios with code SIGNATURE3X. 

RIYADH AIR is a new name for Australian travellers - the Saudi start-up airline will launch its first route from Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport to London Heathrow on October 26.

ALDI HOLIDAYS - yes the supermarket people - always have holiday deals - how about a 24 day best of Europe fly and tour holiday from London priced from $6999. They claim it is valued at 11000pp. Travel in April-December 2026.

CATHAY PACIFIC invites you to use the discount code SAVE250AU to unlock $250 off Business and Premium Economy class return flights to any of its destinations worldwide, for travel from now until 31 March 2026.

From last week: 

ATURA HOTELS  says now is the time to book and enjoy up to 20% off stays to 31 December 2025.  EVT Stays members get even more with an extra 10% off and more perks. 

AVALON WATERWAYS  invites you to book now to save up to $9,600 per couple. River cruise itineraries include eight days Amsterdam to Basil from $5624pp.

VIKING is celebrating Spring with free flight deals. Book a river voyage and fly free or an ocean or expedition voyage and your companion flies free. Offers end‌ 1‍ December‍ 2025‍. 

TRADE ONLY:  Luxury small-ship operator Unforgettable Croatia has a refreshed brand identity and new-look website. According to co-founder Graham Carter:  "The travel trade has been integral to our growth over the past 10 years, and we place immense value on the partnerships we've built with exceptional agents. 

The Travel Industry Club has some great deals aboard Crystal. According to Sue Francis - the line is more than just luxury.

Expedition Cruise Network  is offering all inclusive expedition cruising up to 25% off when you book by October 31. The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) is a passionate community that brings together the world's leading expedition cruise operators and travel professionals.

Interline Travel has some great deals on Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The program runs right through to June 2026.


Remember conditions always apply to these specials. Check airline prices from your capital city. I recommend you use a travel agent - and travel insurance is essential. Finally I make mistakes like all of us. Check websites to confirm details. Got a travel problem? Send us details to ianmac@travelagentupdate.com. Ian McIntosh is Australia's senior traveller.

Ian McIntosh's top travel deals - around the world with Finnair

FINNAIR's round world business class, priced from $8853, features Asian gateways plus a raft of European destinations. FINNAIR is a popular choice for the value-conscious Qantas frequent flyer with only basic stopover needs in North America.

WENDY WU TOURS invites you take advantage of three exclusive offers - fly free on a selected departure, 50% off airfares across a wide range of tours - or upgrade to premium economy. More than 100 tours are on sale.

TRIPADEAL is promoting a 16 day Highlight of Greece and Turkiye tour priced from $5799pp twin share. Included is return flights and a seven night cruise aboard Costa Fortuna. Dates are May 2 - August 22 2026.

QATAR AIRWAYS has announced all-inclusive travel packages for the FIFA World Cup. There's a variety for you to choose from, each including match tickets, accommodation, flights and transfers.

EMIRATES seems to be finally offering better value business class seats - current offers include London from $10779 and Paris $10309. Book by October 16.

FAR EAST INSIDERS has a range of accommodation on sale - but the deals (up to 48% off) end on October 10. Recommended hotels in Singapore are the Orchard Rendezvous and the The Clan. More in Japan.

CATHAY PACIFIC wonders if you are planning a trip to Taiwan, China? Experience the best of both cabins in one journey with the Premium Economy Plus offer priced from from $2199. Begin your journey in Premium between Australia and Hong Kong then continue onwards from Hong Kong to Taipei or Kaohsiung in Business class.

HELLOWORLD is featuring Globus Cosmos tours deals in Europe - a 14 day Italy's Best itinerary costs from $4099 or how about 24 day Britain and Ireland from $10,729 - a save of $500pp.

From last week:

AVALON WATERWAYS invites you to book now to save up to $9,600 per couple. River cruise itineraries include eight days Amsterdam to Basil from $5624pp. Not interested in Europe - how about Vietnam and Cambodia cruising the mighty Mekong?

VIKING is celebrating Spring with free flight deals. Book a river voyage and fly free or an ocean or expedition voyage and your companion flies free. Offers end‌ 1‍ December‍ 2025‍.

TRADE ONLY: The Travel Industry Club invites you to experience Coral Expeditions, proudly Australian-owned and known for intimate, purpose-built expedition cruises for a max of 120 passengers. Journeys include the North Borneo Explorer and Through the Heart of Japan: Tokyo to Fukuoka & return.

Breakaway Travel Club has some great rates on Silversea. Deals include Tokyo to Seward departing April 30 2026 for 15 Nights aboard Silver Moon.

The Interline Travel Team is featuring rates on Crystal Cruises everything from Auckland to Australia in February 2026 to 18 nights from LA to Papeete departing January 11 2026.

Remember conditions always apply to these specials. Check airline prices from your capital city. I recommend you use a travel agent - and travel insurance is essential. Finally I make mistakes like all of us. Check websites to confirm details. Got a travel problem? Send us details to ianmac@travelagentupdate.com Ian McIntosh is Australia's senior traveller.

This week's top travel deals - Walking Europe

UTRACKS  Early Bird Sale means hundreds of dollars in savings and the chance for you to lock in a 2026 European active holiday. Book between now and October 9 2025 to enjoy value across almost 500 walking, cycling and bike and boat tours. Example: Camino Guided Walk Sarria to Santiago.