Help with what programme to chose

[CoolAllie]

Hi

I'm not sure if this qualifies for a frequent flyer but I am just immigrating to Australia and will be flying back to England about three times a year. What is the best programme to join that will increase my miles quickly for either upgrades (its a long uncomfortable flight!) or money off/free flights. Also, is it worth getting an Australian visa card to help with the points collection? Any advice gratefully accepted, thanks

Allie

 

[ShaneN]

Hi

I'm not sure if this qualifies for a frequent flyer but I am just immigrating to Australia and will be flying back to England about three times a year. What is the best programme to join that will increase my miles quickly for either upgrades (its a long uncomfortable flight!) or money off/free flights. Also, is it worth getting an Australian visa card to help with the points collection? Any advice gratefully accepted, thanks

Allie

Welcome to Australia Allie.

Best program depends in part on whether you will be flying domestically within Australia. Qantas Frequent Flyer will earn points on Qantas within Australia as well as on Qantas, British, Cathay and other One World Partners. Virgin Australia (formerly Virgin Blue and V Australia) Velocity program earns points within Australia as well as on international partners. Virgin Australia flies to Abu Dhabi and has a codeshare flight to London via Etihad. I am not certain about earning or using points on other airlines with Velocity - Virgin experts on this site will give you more information.

If you will not be flying domestically within Australia, you may wish to check the programs of the other airlines which fly the Kangaroo Route e.g. Star Alliance airlines such as Singapore Airlines.

There are many credit cards linked to frequent flyer programs. I use a Qantas American Express Card, but there are many other options for Qantas and Virgin. Check the discussion boards on this site.

Welcome to Australia

Shane

 

[Awesom Andy]

While Qantas gives you a minimum of 1000 points for domestic flights, the programme does not have very generous burn rates, and upgrades are really like lotteries (and virtually impossible for someone without status). However, if you can fly premium economy for the 3 return flights per year, you'll definitely have enough status credits to reach and maintain gold, which will give you lounge access and make upgrades a little easier to come by. Also note that BA/QF are in a joint service agreement, so they are virtually operating as 1 airline on the kangaroo route. And, as CX is a one-world member, you can also earn/redeem points on CX flights, which operate via HKG.

I'm not really familiar with the programs offered by Virgin, but with Virgin Australia, you would have a choice of Virgin Atlantic (via Hong Kong), Etihad (via Abu Dhabi), or Malaysia Airlines (via Kuala Lumpur). And then, Virgin Atlantic's own program would also earn points on flights with Air China (via Beijing) and Singapore Airlines, but not Etihad.