Airlines, Miles and Points
Airlines, miles, and points is the most popular topic at Australian Frequent Flyer. In this category, we provide expert tips, insider tricks, and facilitate discussions about Qantas, Virgin Australia, non-Australian airlines, and global airline alliances. From earning and redeeming frequent flyer points to maximising elite status benefits, we aim to help you get the most out of your travel.
We also cover every step of the journey – from planning and booking flights to experiencing the flight itself, and finally, arriving at your destination. Whether you're a seasoned traveller or just starting to explore the world of frequent flyer programs, you'll find valuable advice to elevate your travel experience.
See below for articles on airlines, miles and points.
If you’ve ever been involved in a dispute with an airline, you probably know how frustrating it can be. Airlines are often unwilling to do the right thing by the customer and as a passenger, it’s often easy just to give up. But did you know that there is an advocate that may be able … Continued
This week a member is looking to book a trip to Asia on Singapore Airlines. As a Velocity member, they would like to book with Virgin Australia however to do so would cost $132 more. Understandably they are wondering what, if anything, one gets for that extra $132. Hi, just looking into booking a fare … Continued
Malaysia Airlines has become the latest airline to devalue its frequent flyer program. As well as making changes to the way miles are earned, the airline has significantly increased the number of Enrich miles required for reward flights. As well the increase to redemption costs, Malaysia Airlines is making changes to zones that leave most … Continued
Finding Velocity Frequent Flyer reward seats on partner airlines, such as Etihad, Delta, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America, has proven a struggle for one of our members. The member wants to use their Virgin points to fly to the USA and Europe. However, they have been finding that award availability on some partner airlines has … Continued
Qantas has removed the annual fee charged to businesses for ongoing membership of Aquire, its loyalty program for small-to-medium businesses. The removal of the $179 yearly payment makes Aquire significantly more attractive to business owners. The change was announced along with various other improvements to the program including the addition of three new partners and … Continued
Qantas has announced that fuel-related surcharges will now gradually be absorbed into base fares for Frequent Flyer redemption tickets. This announcement has been trumpeted as Qantas delivering a real and tangible benefit to loyal frequent flyers. However, many of our members remain sceptical about this announcement. One member has opined that until Qantas are in … Continued
Following the lead of many airlines over recent months, British Airways is restructuring its frequent flyer program. As such changes usually are, this is largely bad news for British Airways Executive Club members as significantly fewer Avios miles and Tier points will be earned on the cheapest economy fares. But it appears that British Airways … Continued
One of our members is planning a move to the UK and has a dilemma: pack the Qantas Frequent Flyer card or leave it behind and look at new options in the UK? I’m an Australian moving to the UK, and a member of the Qantas FF scheme for a while now, although I do … Continued
In a move that is likely to put further pressure on rival Qantas, Virgin Australia has completely removed fuel surcharges from all of its flights. The fuel surcharge component will now be included in the base fare. The move is largely symbolic as Virgin previously only charged a surcharge on two of its routes; Sydney … Continued
This week one member’s selected seating was arbitrarily changed at the gate leaving them frustrated and resentful at Virgin ground staff. Our member was flying Darwin to Brisbane on a Virgin flight and requested, and was then duly allocated seat 5C upon check-in. When our member proceeded to the gate, the gate scanner flashed red … Continued
It has been reported that Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific is set to announce sweeping changes to its frequent flyer offering. Unfortunately, it’s mostly bad news for customers as the changes are likely to devalue the program significantly. In future it may be much harder or even impossible to gain elite status, especially flying on … Continued
The issue of expiring Qantas points is not one anyone with an active Qantas Frequent Flyer account should need to worry about. Qantas has a clear policy that points will not expire as long as the account has been active in some way in the past 18 months. But for less frequent travellers, this is … Continued