Airlines Offer Touring Discounts

The two major Australian airlines, Qantas and Virgin Australia, announced discounts for touring Australian musicians.

Qantas announced March 27 more baggage allowances, on top of the ones it introduced in 2012. The airline will now also allow three pieces, at 23kgs (50 pounds) per piece, for musical instruments.

Musicians have to be members of one of 10 associations, including Live Performance Australia, Association of Artist Managers, Australian Independent Record Labels Association, the Musicians Union, the Country Music Association of Australia, Folk Alliance and various state music associations which make the Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN), A week before, AMIN struck a deal with the Travel Beyond Group, which set up a dedicated portal for musicians to book Australian-wide tours.

Discounts covered 7 percent to 20 percent of all Virgin classes and membership lounges, as well as car hire and best rates for hotels and apartments including Quest, Mantra, Oaks, Accor, IHG, Starwood and Crown.