Are Frequent Flyer Programs still worth the effort?

[concorde70]

With continued 'enhancements' and reduced reward availability are Frequent Flyer Programs still worth the effort?
These are usually the airlines most profitable business units because they are in effect unregulated and the airlines can do what they want with their programs, it borders on gambling, spend money and maybe you will get a "prize".
Qantas are no different than most other airlines with this, the recent devaluations as an example.

 

[burmans]

FF programs make money, a reasonable implication of this is that for most people the answer is that for most people, the answer is no.

There are a small number of people (eg most of those on AFF and some others) who yes, manage to do quite well out of the process. But I’d venture most of this group know why the answer to this is yes for them and also why/how they make it work.

If you don’t already know, the answer is probably no.

 

[CaptJCool]

FF programs make money, a reasonable implication of this is that for most people the answer is that for most people, the answer is no.

There are a small number of people (eg most of those on AFF and sone others) who yes, manage to do quite well out of the process. But I’d venture most of this group know why the answer to this is yes for them and also why/how they make it work.

If you don’t already know, the answer is probably no.

What AFF can avail us of is the 3 things

1. How to earn effectively when You are spending your OWN DIME

2. How to burn efficiently
(eg rewards flights for least points, choice of programs, upgrade opportunities)

3. How to pay “next to nothing” for any flying through a combination of Points Acquisition and subsequent Redemption strategies

Of course, there’s lots of levers to pull as a Frequent Flyer as well the progra.m itself can enhance or devalue the Earn & Burn…