Frequent flyer Overview

[lovetravellingoz]

Which raises an interesting point - how many 'frequent flyers' actually consider the FF points they receive for their flights as their primary source of points?

.

Even when I used to fly a lot the actual flight miles while healthy where only a part (though a significant one) of the overall point earn.

A business trip to Perth would gain points for the flight, hotel and Diners Club spend on those plus meals, taxis etc...

 

[simongr]

Since earning Platinum FF status, one of our 'privileges' is the ability to request that Qantas make FF seats available on the flights we choose. As a result we've been able to book trips on exactly the flights we choose with as little as a month's advance notice where there were no FF seats otherwise available - a much easier process and a clear 'reward' for flying more often with Qantas.

Interesting. My understanding was that QFF only released economy flights for WP and not premium seats as a matter of course.

Which raises an interesting point - how many 'frequent flyers' actually consider the FF points they receive for their flights as their primary source of points?

I have lifetime points on AA of around 690K of which 600K came from flying...

 

[jamesatfish]

Interesting. My understanding was that QFF only released economy flights for WP and not premium seats as a matter of course.

The 'premium' seats certainly are available to be requested by WPs - I've picked up 3 RTW First awards (requests on the Qantas flights, normal availability on BA LHR-JFK) and 2 LHR-MEL-LHR Business awards in the last 12 months by requesting seats to be opened - a very useful feature.

The Qantas staff have told me anecdotally that getting First seats opened up is easier than Business, but I've never asked for Economy / Premium Economy seats so I don't know about those.

 

[serfty]

... However I would have to disagree that bonus schemes are rarely worth the effort.

Some are certainly not. ...

The ones that are are few and far between.

If I value points at 1¢ each then any effort on my behalf to gain 5,000 points has to be worth less than $50 for me to do so.

 

[drron]

Well I have a slightly different story which just proves the point there is no ideal loyalty program as it very much depends on individual circumstances.
My main FF program is AAdvantage.I belong to this because-
1.I have had family living in the USA.
2.Much cheaper rewards-I generally get RTW J awards.This is both points and the $extras.
3.more likely to get premium cabin seats when booking awards.
4.Complimentary upgrades which usually are confirmed well before the flight.Have not been unsuccessful in any request for upgrade.
Because I belong to AAdvantage my main credit card is a Diners Club.However I am lucky to have a fee free affinity card earning at 1.5 points per$1.I can directly transfer to AA at 2:1 but prefer to transfer via SPG to get an effective rate of 2:1.25.This means per $1 spend I earn 0.9375 AA miles.
I have no difficulty putting most of my purchases through Diners especially my larger transactions such as travel and rarely pay a surcharge.I am particularly a fan of triple point Wednesdays so our restaurant nights have become that day and fortunately our favourite restaurants accept Diners.For these meals each $1 spend earns me 1.875 AA miles.It makes the food taste so much better!
I also take advantage of hotel stays,rental car hire etc to direct points to AA.I expect to be at 1 million AA miles within the next 12 months and 2 million within 5 years.

 

[Kairs]

Thanks again everyone - this is all fascinating stuff.

So, in brief, what do you reckon your top ten tips would be to FF newbies?

 

[NM]

So, in brief, what do you reckon your top ten tips would be to FF newbies?

1. Join a site/community like this one
2. Know and understand the programs of which you are a member
3. Know what you want to get out of the loyalty program (i.e. free flights, premium cabin vs economy trips, upgrades, retail vouchers etc)
4. Set a realistic goal or target for your redemptions and know how you will get the points to achieve it
5. Consolidate earnings as much as possible into one primary loyalty program - orphaned points are useless
6. Make the effort to compare loyalty programs based on your own personal earning rates and opportunities and on your personal burning goals
7. Be patient and realistic in setting your redemption goals
8. Maintain as much flexibility as you can with your points. Your goals and earn/burn situations may change in the future
9. Plan well ahead when making redemptions as availability (especially for award seats) can be very limited, especially if redeeming for rewards during peak demand periods like school holidays
10. Seek counselling because you are likely to find yourself under the influence of a serious addiction very quickly

 

[Flashback]

Well put with #10! 'aint that the truth!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

5. Consolidate earnings as much as possible into one primary loyalty program - orphaned points are useless

A great 10 NM.

However with 5/ there is a caveat that this is so only if your likely points earn is "lowish".

For some where you can earn enough points in more than one program it can make a lot of sense to run two, or more programs, in order to maximise both point earn...and point burn opportunities.

This is because for example living in Australia there are:

• various point earning opportunities that can go only to QF.
• other short terms opportunitties such as the current Earth 3 point / $ promo
• that other overseas programs such as SQ or AA can be great value due to better burn rates, if you have a good way of earning on them (whether that be flights or CC earn).
• various flights that due the destination can be optimised better on one airline FF program than another (ie particularly with the region based awards). It can also be that some flights are also not avaiable in one program.

With lowish earn it maks more sense to "pool" points as otherwise awrds can take to long to earn.

 

[NM]

However with 5/ there is a caveat that this is so only if your likely points earn is "lowish".

For some where you can earn enough points in more than one program it can make a lot of sense to run two, or more programs, in order to maximise both point earn...and point burn opportunities.

True, but the 10 tips were aimed at FF newbies, and I believe for anyone new to FF programs, tip 5 has its merits. If after exploring tips 3 and 4, one finds multiple programs is viable, then great. But the point still stands that consolidation to a small number of programs (one is a good start, two is good for some folks, more than 2 is likely only beneficial for a limited number of people) is still the best starting point.

 

[ccritten]

I'm not sure that points are so easy to come by. I flew with JAL and only later discovered I wouldn't get QFF points. Beware the words 'eligible' and 'qualifying'.

 

[NM]

I'm not sure that points are so easy to come by. I flew with JAL and only later discovered I wouldn't get QFF points. Beware the words 'eligible' and 'qualifying'.

See tip 2

 

[ccritten]

Sorry, I'm new to this. I don't understand.

 

[Flashback]

Sorry, I'm new to this. I don't understand.

Welcome to AFF ccritten, what don't you understand?

 

[NM]

Sorry, I'm new to this. I don't understand.

Tip #2 reads "Know and understand the programs of which you are a member". By this I mean knowing and understanding the meaning of such terms as "eligible" and "qualifying" in the program's terms and conditions. Know and understand the rules of the game and you are in a better position to maximise your gain from playing the game.

If you take to the cricket pitch without understanding the meaning of "LBW", or if you take to the football field without understanding the meaning of "off side", you are unlikely to win the game.

To make the most form your FF scheme, you need to know and understand the rules by which the game is played. If you know the rules (the program terms and conditions), train regularly (research at places like this), and play hard (undertake mileage runs, put all spending through the right cards, carefully plan/route trips, watch for bonus promotions etc) you put yourself in the best position to win the game.

 

[Kairs]

My genuine thanks to everyone - especially NM - for their help. The article should appear in the May edition of Way2Go.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

The ones that are are few and far between.

If I value points at 1¢ each then any effort on my behalf to gain 5,000 points has to be worth less than $50 for me to do so.

I concur on reward for effort. I only chase points after considering effort and cost to get them.

For example I have not worried about chasing points on the Live Search Club...to move to AA. Some people have earnt 30K plus. But for me the amount of effort is not worth it.

By contrast 42K have been gained on BMI for say well under half an hour of my time.

Yes the ones to earn over a 100K at a time are few and far between. But my experience has been that there is a steady, but random stream, of various opportunities which are worth taking. coughulative these can add up quite nicely.

 

[simongr]

If you take to the cricket pitch without understanding the meaning of "LBW", or if you take to the football field without understanding the meaning of "off side", you are unlikely to win the game.

Two great examples of exactly what FF schemes are like - horrendously complicated rules that are fantastically hard to explain and at the end of the day the idiot in charge (be that the CSR or the Ref) often gets the interpretation wrong - thankfully in some games you can go to the video ref to get the correct answer...

 

[NM]

Two great examples of exactly what FF schemes are like - horrendously complicated rules that are fantastically hard to explain and at the end of the day the idiot in charge (be that the CSR or the Ref) often gets the interpretation wrong - thankfully in some games you can go to the video ref to get the correct answer...

That is why I picked those two examples, and purposely did not define the code of football .

Note the TV commentators (such as us forumites) can discuss the decision all they like, even using Hot-Spot, Snickometer, SlowMo, etc, but its not going to change the umpire's decision.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

, and purposely did not define the code of football .

.

Would not the off-side rule narrow it down a mite??