Veteran FlyerTalk member ozstamps put his “stamp” of approval on the next Oz Fest to take place in his home country of Australia, and Cairns is the next focal point of what is apparently the longest-running series of FlyerTalk member gatherings outside of the United States.

I have been to Cairns. I enjoyed the tropical rain forests, the unusual trees, the Atherton Tablelands, and scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef. I even enjoyed the Hilton Cairns, which is where I stayed when I was there and which will apparently be the central lodging of choice for this event.

For additional information, please refer to the “Oz Fest #6″ – Cairns Queensland – Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-24, 2009 thread.

Perhaps one day I will actually get to attend…

Because snacks will allegedly be eliminated on domestic US Airways flights in the United States, some FlyerTalk members are twisted like the pretzels that will no longer be served, according to the No More Pretzels on US Airways (Merged Threads) thread. Other FlyerTalk members think that this latest change in policy and procedure on US Airways will amount to little more than peanuts regarding cost savings. Still others believe that this opens up an opportunity to sell more expensive snacks on-board each flight. Some FlyerTalk members even believe that charging for a drink of water may be imminent in the future.

Do FlyerTalk members have a right to have a chip on their shoulders, or are they just nuts?

American Airlines has recently announced plans to implement many changes to its operations and AAdvantage frequent flier program, mostly to the chagrin of its passengers and customers.

In the Award requirements increased – read it and weep thread, FlyerTalk members lament at the latest changes of the policies and procedures at American Airlines. In this case, that includes redeeming more American AAdvantage miles to secure an award, as well as a US$5.00 fee to book award travel via the Internet web site of American Airlines.

Naturally, FlyerTalk members speculate as to where this goes from here, including American Airlines possibly imposing a US$5.00 fee to process credit card payments. Other threads, such as the AA raises award mileage, online redemption fee – how long until DL follows? thread, are appearing throughout FlyerTalk with additional speculation as to whether or not the frequent flier program being discussed in that forum will be next.

If you are a MyPoints member who saves points to redeem for Hilton HHonors points, you are apparently now out of luck, according to the MyPoints Drops HHonors Reward thread.

gaia was taken aback when a cabin crew member supported a seat stealer and forced gaia to swap seats.  What would you have done (or have you done if, like several FTers have already reported on thread the same situation has already been experienced)?

…or Naples, as this Italian city is known as to Americans.

There is litter-ally a discussion regarding the garbage situation in Napoli about which FlyerTalk member SFOAmdam, who is taking a vacation there, is concerned.

Unless you…ahem…refuse…to find out more about this discussion, please read the Naples – current trash situation thread.

Please pardon my…er…dispose-ition…

Where in the world can you get a duty free washing machine at the airport?  What other oddities can you get duty free?

That is the $20 trick on airlines about which FlyerTalk member BDA shorts is referring.

This trick apparently works in hotels, as evidenced by the Does the $20 Vegas bribe work? thread, for example. However, will gratuitously giving an airline employee $20 to secure an upgrade work on airlines? Is it considered a tip or a bribe?

Find out what other FlyerTalk members think.

FlyerTalk member chrissxb reports in the AF-KL interested in Austrian Airlines ? thread that Air France-KLM is reportedly interested in purchasing Austrian Airlines.

If the interest becomes an actual acquisition, this could most likely mean that Austrian Airlines would leave the Star Alliance and become a member of the SkyTeam alliance.

Air France-KLM recently completed a deal regarding the acquisition of Alitalia.

…but you better act quickly because the promotion terminates 30 June 2008.

Please refer to the New Promo – Earn Hyatt Gold Passport Points and Thousands of Bonus Miles (Apr-Jun) thread for further details on this current Hyatt Hotels Gold Passport promotion.