Frequent flyer point tactics to multiply your savings and rewards

Airlines’ reward points have become a powerful asset to earn and spend on many things. Here’s how to multiply them.

Aussies have a thirst for frequent flyer points, and our major airlines are responding with an growing collection of ways to earn and spend them.

Points have evolved into a powerful currency for buying much more than just free flights and seat upgrades, and savvy shoppers who make the most of the Qantas and Virgin frequent flyer programs are enjoying the pointy end of planes and loading up on consumer goods.

Thechampagnemile.com.au founder Adele Eliseo says local and global airline programs are inking new partnerships and points-earning opportunities in Australia.

“Besides flights, it’s possible to earn points through credit cards, supermarket loyalty programs, online shopping portals and even paying bills,” she says.

“Many people might not realise they can also earn points on expenses like ride-sharing, streaming services or wine purchases, which can quickly add to your points balance.”

Steve Hui from iFLYflat flies at the pointy end of planes. Picture: Supplied

iFLYflat CEO Steve Hui says airline programs have been introducing more options to help members earn frequent flyer points.

“They also know consumers have points, so they make them easier to spend,” he says.

Big-spending Qantas Frequent Flyer members who collect enough points can get free Qantas Club membership, status credit bonuses, hotel vouchers, wine discounts and more, while Velocity Frequent Flyer members can earn extra points through more than 300 different brands including Myer, 7-Eleven and AGL.

If you want to multiply your points-earning capacity, use these strategies.

1. DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Knowledge delivers frequent flyers huge power, and it starts with surfing some websites dedicated to maximising reward programs, starting with the qantas.com.au and velocityfrequentflyer.com websites.

Independent sites have a wealth of tips and guides, and these include iflyflat.com.au, thechampagnemile.com.au, australianfrequentflyer.com.au and pointhacks.com.au.

2. USE THE CORRECT CREDIT CARD

A good rewards credit card is vital for amassing points, but only if you repay the card debt within its interest-free period – otherwise the interest cost outweighs the rewards.

“Get the right credit card that earns you the most points per dollar,” Hui says.

“Credit cards earn at different rates, and for the same dollar spend you can get a credit card that earns you double the points.”

3. SEEK SIGN-ON BONUSES

Some reward credit cards offer sign-on bonuses delivering more than 120,000 extra points – enough to pay for a dozen flights between several capital cities.

Eliseo says be strategic. “Look beyond the sign-on bonus to choose a card that offers high points per dollar spent and doesn’t cap your earning potential,” she says.

4. DOUBLE DIPPING IS GOOD

It might not be popular at parties, but dipping twice is great for frequent flyer points.

It simply means using a rewards credit card to buy goods at program partners, so you get double benefits. Examples can include buying fuel at 7-Eleven and paying using a Velocity credit card, or using a Qantas American Express card to shop at Woolworths.

5. HOME IN ON HOTELS

Savvy points collectors can earn huge bonuses booking hotel rooms through frequent flyer program websites. The rooms are not usually marked up in price, although the bonus points may not be credited until after your stay.

“I have seen a lot more deals with Qantas hotels lately, offering six points per dollar spent or 10 points per dollar spent,” Hui says.

“Because it’s their own currency, they can offer it at a discount.”

6. SUPERMARKET SAVINGS

Woolworths has Everyday Rewards while Coles has Flybuys. Both programs deliver members reward points that can be credited to frequent flyer accounts.

Family shoppers can earn around 1000 frequent flyer points every month or two by using these programs.

Adele Eliseo says treat your points like an investment. Source: Supplied

7. SCAN FOR SUCCESS

Continually check Qantas Shopping or the Velocity e-Store for bonus point offers with selected retail partners.

Their special deals are always changing. For example, Velocity currently offers 2-3 points per dollar spent on several big brands, plus 8 points per dollar on Lenovo, while the Qantas online mall offers between two and 10 bonus points per dollar spent on hundreds of big brands.

8. BUYING WINE’S A WINNER

A case of wine could deliver you enough free points to fly around Australia.

Qantas Wine is currently offering between 3000 and 30,000 bonus points on several products, with free delivery for bigger orders.

9. GIFT CARD GAMES

Using points to buy gift cards is not usually the best way to use them, because each point is worth just half a cent compared with up to 4c per point for business class flight redemptions.

However, sometimes gift card deals can be handy for consumers. “People are buying Apple gift cards and getting 10 times Flybuys points,” Hui says.

“That converts into Qantas or Velocity points so they’re roughly getting 10 per cent off the price.”

10. POINTS ARE AN INVESTMENT

Eliseo says people should treat their frequent flyer points as an investment.

“Frequent flyer points are both an asset and a foreign currency – their value can fluctuate over time,” she says.

“Monitor program changes and market conditions to use your points when they offer the best return. Don’t let your points sit idle for too long, or you might miss out on more valuable opportunities.”

Originally published as Frequent flyer point tactics to multiply your savings and rewards