If you could give just ONE piece of advice......

[Benzo]

You can read fórums such as this one and learn heaps of tricks etc that make travel more fun, pleasurable, etc. But what I have learnt is a simple truth:

Real travel gurus, gods, have something in common: they have zero status!! They have learned to look beyond the apparent appeal of having fancy cards and noble titles. They buy business or first class tickets using points that they accumulate in all manner of ingenious ways.

I have yet to attain that skill.

Oooohhh! I want that ability! If you ever find the secret, be sure to share!

 

[drron]

Oooohhh! I want that ability! If you ever find the secret, be sure to share!

The answers are all here.Just look through the forums of all airlines.
I used to be a combo type.But mainly flying.Used info I got here early on to reach lifetime platinum on AA.
However found that buying miles on US,Avianca gave me a much wider choice.
QF mingy with premium awards,AA going that way so OK I will fly F with TG or SQ with bought points.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

1. You don't have to fly frequently to take advantage of 'frequent flyer' programs - some credit cards will give you 50K frequent flyer points just as a sign up bonus. Always credit your flights to an airline ff program of some kind.

2. Ditto for hotel stays. Always credit your hotel stays where possible to the applicable hotel chain frequent guest program as you will generally always earn more points which count to your tier status as opposed to crediting a stay to an airline frequent flyer program where you generally get a blanket amount of points eg 1K per stay.

3. Evaluate your credit cards and ensure your credit cards are earning frequent flyer points.

4. Join Woollies Everyday Rewards to earn QF ff points from your grocery shops over $30.00.

5. Don't ponder whether to join either QF or VA - join both plus it's a good idea to sign up with Avianca Life Miles (Star Alliance) and American Airlines' AAdvantage (OneWorld) & Alaska Airlines MVP.

6. Some of the most affordable ways of flying Business and First Class are by (legally) buying points through 3 of the above airlines (AV, AA & AS) and redeeming those points for award travel in the pointy end for thousands less than you'd pay if you walked into a TA and asked what the return fare in business class was to XYZ.

7. Looking at an aircraft seat map (several days before departure) and seeing "all these empty seats" is no indication of whether the flight is full or not. What you are looking at is only the seats where passengers have pre-allocated them at the time of booking. A flight can be still be full as a large majority of pax won't get their seat allocation until they checkin at the airport 2-3 hours prior to departure.

8. Always take the opportunity to pre-allocate your seats at the time of reservation to get the pick of the bunch. Even when it's free of charge a large majority of passengers don't take the opportunity to do so.

9. Don't listen to 'armchair experts'. Trust your own judgement and go with your gut instinct. Over the years I've heard people recount some cringeworthy bad advice given to them by people not qualified to do so eg "but the taxi driver told me I needed to checkin at the international terminal" (when the person was flying domestically BNE/SYD first then connecting to an international flight in SYD) so they would need to be checking at the domestic terminal. Another person nearly missed their flight DRW/SYD because "the taxi driver told me the flight was running an hour late" (when the inbound flight SYD/DRW was an hour late but it just meant the usual 2 two turnaround became one hour & the flight departed as scheduled).

10. Don't be afraid to do your own bookings direct on the airlines' website. Too many people don't have enough confidence when they are more than capable of doing their own bookings but instead go into the nearest travel agent chain the their local shopping centre thinking that the staff their are experts only to find out the hard way that some 18 year old fresh out of their 3 week training course may think they know what they're doing but stuff up your booking big time.

 

[Benzo]

1. You don't have to fly frequently to take advantage of 'frequent flyer' programs - some credit cards will give you 50K frequent flyer points just as a sign up bonus. Always credit your flights to an airline ff program of some kind.

2. Ditto for hotel stays. Always credit your hotel stays where possible to the applicable hotel chain frequent guest program as you will generally always earn more points which count to your tier status as opposed to crediting a stay to an airline frequent flyer program where you generally get a blanket amount of points eg 1K per stay.

3. Evaluate your credit cards and ensure your credit cards are earning frequent flyer points.

4. Join Woollies Everyday Rewards to earn QF ff points from your grocery shops over $30.00.

5. Don't ponder whether to join either QF or VA - join both plus it's a good idea to sign up with Avianca Life Miles (Star Alliance) and American Airlines' AAdvantage (OneWorld) & Alaska Airlines MVP.

6. Some of the most affordable ways of flying Business and First Class are by (legally) buying points through 3 of the above airlines (AV, AA & AS) and redeeming those points for award travel in the pointy end for thousands less than you'd pay if you walked into a TA and asked what the return fare in business class was to XYZ.

7. Looking at an aircraft seat map (several days before departure) and seeing "all these empty seats" is no indication of whether the flight is full or not. What you are looking at is only the seats where passengers have pre-allocated them at the time of booking. A flight can be still be full as a large majority of pax won't get their seat allocation until they checkin at the airport 2-3 hours prior to departure.

8. Always take the opportunity to pre-allocate your seats at the time of reservation to get the pick of the bunch. Even when it's free of charge a large majority of passengers don't take the opportunity to do so.

9. Don't listen to 'armchair experts'. Trust your own judgement and go with your gut instinct. Over the years I've heard people recount some cringeworthy bad advice given to them by people not qualified to do so eg "but the taxi driver told me I needed to checkin at the international terminal" (when the person was flying domestically BNE/SYD first then connecting to an international flight in SYD) so they would need to be checking at the domestic terminal. Another person nearly missed their flight DRW/SYD because "the taxi driver told me the flight was running an hour late" (when the inbound flight SYD/DRW was an hour late but it just meant the usual 2 two turnaround became one hour & the flight departed as scheduled).

10. Don't be afraid to do your own bookings direct on the airlines' website. Too many people don't have enough confidence when they are more than capable of doing their own bookings but instead go into the nearest travel agent chain the their local shopping centre thinking that the staff their are experts only to find out the hard way that some 18 year old fresh out of their 3 week training course may think they know what they're doing but stuff up your booking big time.

Wow! That has to be the singularly most communicative and helpful response I have gotten so far! And I have already been getting some seriously helpful stuff! Thanks! There are fundamental data there that a lot can be worked out from. That points thing really cleared a few things up for me. Thanks a million!

 

[cove]

The first million frequent flyer points/miles are the hardest.

 

[Hvr]

Enjoy it, if you stress over the flying then it's for naught. We should travel to enjoy the flight and destination. If you don't enjoy it then you're either doing it wrong or it's not for you.

When it all goes pear shaped tread quietly and present options to the airline staff. They've seen it before and the person who is quiet and thankful can often be offered a solution that just wasn't available for the noisy arrogant DYKWIA person.

And along with the above, have fun, meet fellow AFFers and share the joy. Talk to people who truly understand and appreciate what we do. For the most part this isn't a zero sum game, when we share we all reap rewards.

 

[Benzo]

Enjoy it, if you stress over the flying then it's for naught. We should travel to enjoy the flight and destination. If you don't enjoy it then you're either doing it wrong or it's not for you.

When it all goes pear shaped tread quietly and present options to the airline staff. They've seen it before and the person who is quiet and thankful can often be offered a solution that just wasn't available for the noisy arrogant DYKWIA person.

And along with the above, have fun, meet fellow AFFers and share the joy. Talk to people who truly understand and appreciate what we do. For the most part this isn't a zero sum game, when we share we all reap rewards.

I like that viewpoint. Thanks. While it's good to know all about the Frequent Flyer Statuses and this lounge and that perk, it's not really worth it if you forget that you are traveling and flying. I have always found that approach to resolving difficulties the best as well.

 

[smit0847]

Pick a specific travel goal and we can help you obtain it.

 

[Alanslegal]

Seat 1A is not always the best seat on the plane

 

[opusman]

Wow! That has to be the singularly most communicative and helpful response I have gotten so far!

ozbeachbabe is pretty good

 

[Deleted member]

1. You don't have to fly frequently to take advantage of 'frequent flyer' programs - some credit cards will give you 50K frequent flyer points just as a sign up bonus. Always credit your flights to an airline ff program of some kind.

2. Ditto for hotel stays. Always credit your hotel stays where possible to the applicable hotel chain frequent guest program as you will generally always earn more points which count to your tier status as opposed to crediting a stay to an airline frequent flyer program where you generally get a blanket amount of points eg 1K per stay.

3. Evaluate your credit cards and ensure your credit cards are earning frequent flyer points.

4. Join Woollies Everyday Rewards to earn QF ff points from your grocery shops over $30.00.

5. Don't ponder whether to join either QF or VA - join both plus it's a good idea to sign up with Avianca Life Miles (Star Alliance) and American Airlines' AAdvantage (OneWorld) & Alaska Airlines MVP.

6. Some of the most affordable ways of flying Business and First Class are by (legally) buying points through 3 of the above airlines (AV, AA & AS) and redeeming those points for award travel in the pointy end for thousands less than you'd pay if you walked into a TA and asked what the return fare in business class was to XYZ.

7. Looking at an aircraft seat map (several days before departure) and seeing "all these empty seats" is no indication of whether the flight is full or not. What you are looking at is only the seats where passengers have pre-allocated them at the time of booking. A flight can be still be full as a large majority of pax won't get their seat allocation until they checkin at the airport 2-3 hours prior to departure.

8. Always take the opportunity to pre-allocate your seats at the time of reservation to get the pick of the bunch. Even when it's free of charge a large majority of passengers don't take the opportunity to do so.

9. Don't listen to 'armchair experts'. Trust your own judgement and go with your gut instinct. Over the years I've heard people recount some cringeworthy bad advice given to them by people not qualified to do so eg "but the taxi driver told me I needed to checkin at the international terminal" (when the person was flying domestically BNE/SYD first then connecting to an international flight in SYD) so they would need to be checking at the domestic terminal. Another person nearly missed their flight DRW/SYD because "the taxi driver told me the flight was running an hour late" (when the inbound flight SYD/DRW was an hour late but it just meant the usual 2 two turnaround became one hour & the flight departed as scheduled).

10. Don't be afraid to do your own bookings direct on the airlines' website. Too many people don't have enough confidence when they are more than capable of doing their own bookings but instead go into the nearest travel agent chain the their local shopping centre thinking that the staff their are experts only to find out the hard way that some 18 year old fresh out of their 3 week training course may think they know what they're doing but stuff up your booking big time.

Where have you been all my life??

 

[cove]

Apparently there can be something like 90 rows on a large plane so an AFFers role is to search for the best seat that suits your needs.
This week I was helping a widow do a seat selection in economy on the QF A380 and there are very good seats in rows 66 and 80.

 

[boomy]

It's important to set goals for the near future. Think about where you want to fly in the next 12-18 months and then search for the best ways to get there, keeping in mind the more flexible you are with dates and routes, the better deal you will find.
Don't be afraid to buy points, it's often the cheapest way to fly in premium cabins but learn the T&Cs of each programme and read the relevant forums before you do to make sure it's suitable to your needs.
Don't hesitate to ask questions, plenty of members here are happy to help.
Keep an eye on social events, some things can't be discussed online and you can learn a lot from meeting members in person.

 

[cove]

Never tell anyone your points/miles balances and the PINs. I made that mistake over 5 years ago.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Oooohhh! I want that ability! If you ever find the secret, be sure to share!

I have no status (well not since I gave up the frequent work travel) and only very, very rarely pay for private international flights (mainly short hops and occasional bargain fares)...but I do like to fly my family of 5 in the pointy end. It used to be in redemptions in Y, but as I have gotten better at acquiring and using points it is now J/F. So far I have not needed to buy points via AA, Lifemiles etc.

I don't have a business to gain points via Tax Payments or companies expenses (though if you do, then milk it!!!)

TIPS

• Accumulate - small, medium and large opportunities all add up
• Seek, and ye shall find
• Act NOW - he who hesitates misses out
• If it is too good to be true (points wise)...it is actually a great opportunity if you act now!!! He who hesitates is lost
• If it seems too good to be true DO NOT ring the CC company, airline, hotel to check!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Think outside the square
• It is not just the earn, but the burn too
• All FF programs are not created equal - belong to several and optimize - understand that different routes/destinations have different opportunities with programs
• Think Alliance, and not just airline
• Move points when transfer bonuses are on offer
• Glitches can be wonderful.... - be alert when odd things happen (ie I have flown in SQ Suites for Saver J Points)
• There are normally much better accommodation options (comfort, features and lower cost) than hotels- so don't stay at hotels only for their loyalty programs
• Double dip, triple dip where you can
• Shop through airline portals, when the price is right, and the extra points are then a bonus
• Collect points through Everyday Rewards at WOW, and train them on offers (ie I average over 4 QFF points per $ on my spend)
• A suite of CC allows one to earn maximum FF points - ie 3 for many things, 2 for travel/ hotel, 4 on overseas spend etc
• Link your highest earning Amex to PayPal to get around the surcharges
• Only pay cash when you either gain a good discount, or cannot use CC.
• Bonus promos are where large opportunities are to be had (unfortunately have been very lean this last year)
• Credit Card joining Bonii come and go - collect! - however I tend to just take the maximum value ones

 

[NFF]

Half the fun is getting there. :-|

 

[puppysparkes]

If you have spare cash sign up to https://www.veda.com.au/yourcreditandidentity/ to monitor your newly found habit of churning credit cards. Don't forget to sign up this site to monitor anything to do with seating and potential upgrades Flight Availability | Upgrades | Frequent Flyer Information Otherwise you can always ask AFF members on this forums to help you out with EF requests.

 

[Major]

If you haven't already done so, then read the "Knowledge Centre" at the top of this page.

 

[amaroo]

<snip>


TIPS

• There are normally much better accommodation options (comfort, features and lower cost) than hotels- so don't stay at hotels only for their loyalty programs

Indeed. FF schemes can provide "best on board" ... the same can't be said for hotel programs.

 

[clazman]

Feel the love of AFF by becoming a member, with a small payment of $50