If your looking for a frequent flyer scheme in Australia then the natural choice will of course be to join the Qantas frequent flyer award program. As well as earning points on any Qantas flight you can also earn and redeem points with any airline the large oneworld alliance with airlines such as British Airways.
For the frequent flyer, earning Qantas points will be even faster if you are qualified for higher levels in the Status program within the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. As well as earning points you can also earn status credits for each eligable flight you may on Qantas, Jetstar or partner airlines. The most basic level is Bronze, but once you reach Silver (350 credits needed to qualify), Gold (700 credits) and Platinum (1,400 credits), your potential for earning Qantas points is progressively accelerated. When you hold a higher status level you earn bonus points above your standard points on each eligable flight ranging from 25% extra with a Silver membership, 50% extra for Gold and double points for Platinum membership.
You also earn Qantas points when you use your Qantas Frequent Flyer credit cards at any of their 350 partner establishments worldwide, which include car rental companies, parking facilities, car purchases, hotels, arrangements for travel (foreign exchange, insurance, calling cards, foreign exchange, etc.), financial products and services, fashion and entertainment, gifts, many types of services, and even real estate.
If you do not fly too often, the easiest way to amass Qantas points is to maximise the travel rewards you receive by using Qantas frequent flyer credit cards or Qantas partner credit cards to pay for spending on ordinary purchases. The number of Qantas points you earn will depend on the specific travel rewards schemes offered by the Qantas-affiliated bank credit cards.
The credit cards that directly earn Qantas points through their rewards schemes are: the Westpac Earth series (classic, gold and platinum), the ANZ Aust. Frequent Flyer Visa (classic, gold and platinum), the Qantas frequent flyer credit cards from American Express (classic, premium and ultimate), the Diners Club (Aust.) Frequent Flyer charge card, and the ANZ NZ Visa (classic and platinum).
Rather than having to transfer points the frequent flyer points you clock up through your credit card spending gets credited directly to your Qantas frequent flyer account. In addition, if you use any of them to pay for eligible purchases at any of Qantas' 350 partner establishments, you stand to earn Qantas points two times — once on your card's travel rewards scheme and once more through the partner establishment.
There are credit cards whose travel rewards schemes are linked to the Qantas Frequent Flyer Other Rewards program. The credit cards on the Qantas Other Rewards program are: American Express Membership Rewards (Ascent Australia and NZ), ANZ Rewards Visa, Citibank Rewards (classic and platinum), Diners Club Rewards, NAB (gold rewards and Ant Rewards), St George private bank platinum rewards, Suncorp clear options, and Westpac Altitude.
You may also use these cards to earn Qantas points, but you will need to watch out. Qantas have stated that they will stop converting points earnt on these credit cards into Qantas points. As you result you need to convert your points by the end of March 2009.
Traveling by airplane may be a benefit to you in the form of frequent flyer cards should you decide to go this route. If you are someone who flies often frequent flyer cards are an excellent thing to consider. These cards are credit cards that not only help you with purchases but also will give you even more incentive to use them by helping you with your flying needs. These cards can even save you big money if you really use it to your advantage.
Okay, so how exactly do these cards work? Well the way they usually work is that you will earn miles for what you spend; the more you spend the more miles you can rack up. These miles can be used on your next flight. Get enough and you can end up with a free flight. These miles are usually instead of cash back or bonus points and are usually the way to go when it comes to those who fly often. These cards can save those who fly a lot tons of money on tickets and can be well worth it.
As you can see those who benefit the most from frequent flyer cards are those who fly the most. This benefit can be well worth the money you spend on the credit card, because not only do you have a credit line to use, but every time you use it you can earn more miles and save money this way as well. You are basically getting money back in the form of a free ticket or discounted ticket for every purchase when you use these cards.
So how do you get frequent flyer cards exactly? These types of cards are just as easy to apply for as any other credit card. Offers for these can be found just as readily as any other online or in the mail. Sometimes if you already have a credit card, you should check with customer service to see if they offer cards or if the benefits of them can be applied to the one you already have.
Frequent flyer cards can be used anywhere any other credit card can. The only difference is that when you use it you are earning miles towards your next flight and this is an excellent incentive to get you to use the card as often as possible. Most major card companies offer these types of cards or plans that will allow miles to be earned.
Annual fees and percentage rates will still apply to cards as they do to regular cards so you should still shop around before getting one to find the best deal. Once again making sure you pay off your balance as fast as possible will allow you to keep using your frequent flyer card uninterrupted.
As with any credit card you need to be very careful about giving out the information on it. In the end those who fly a lot will definitely find it a huge benefit in getting flyer cards and earning miles towards free flights in return.
Both Richard Greenwood & Mike Singh are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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