Is it worth trying to get points? (& with what Rewards Scheme?)

[jenner]

Hi!
I've just finished Year 12, and had been toying with the idea of taking a traveling gap year, which is what got me starting to look at various ways to earn points etc for flights. I've decided to take a break in the middle of my university degree instead, and I would like to use points from reward programs to pay for a flight.

Obviously it's quite complicated, with all the different programs, cards and credit cards, but I'm willing to do a lot of reading and figure it all out. But before I do that, I'm wondering whether it's worth it for me.

I don't have a job, and thus will likely not qualify for credit cards. And I don't spend much money- I still live at home, so most of my expenses (food, electricity, etc) are paid for by my parents.

I do have a bit of money saved up ($18,000), if that makes any difference

 

[opusman]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

Without any credit cards your options to earn points (particularly to earn enough points to redeem for overseas travel) are pretty limited. Additionally, even when redeeming "free" flights you still have to pay taxes and fuel surcharges, which can be a significant percentage of the total cost of an economy ticket. Unless you are hoping to travel in a premium cabin I would say you're probably just better off buying the cheapest ticket you can when the time comes.

 

[Andyc]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

Hi Jenner. Welcome to AFF.
While some of the more lucrative tips and tricks here may not be too useful for you, there definitely is a wealth of information to avail of.

I would suggest that first step is a job ... but after that, one of the better topics to keep a watchful eye on is the sale of frequent flyer points by certain programs. American Airlines and US Airways seem to be the most popular for this as they often run promotions for the discounted purchase of frequent flyer points for cash. If you combine that with some of the tips you'll read here about how best to redeem frequent flyer points I think you may find yourself witha very cheap way to travel.
Otherwise, there is usually nothing to loose by joining all the key shopping, flying and hotel rewards programs. Even though you may not accumulate many points now, every little bit counts.

Best of luck!

 

[jenner]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

Wow, two replies already! What a friendly forum!

Thank you very much to the both of you.

Haha, I definitely won't be travelling in a premium cabin... cramped economy seating for me.

I guess I'll get involved in some of the free rewards programs (no harm in it), but won't bother learning the ins and outs of this whole thing and closely following this forum until I have more expenditure.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

Always go for points but not to the detriment of your broader goals.

 

[serfty]

With out the benefits of CC earning, the best way to earn points is to actually fly!

E.g. a return booking from Oz to the USA may cost $1400, but with QFF will earn an NB approx. 15000 points and, maybe, 100 SC's.

Once in the USA, another 600 SC can be had for under $2k.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

If you start collecting points at the end of Yr 12, that will put you in front of many on this forum.

However with your current circumstances, you are not yet in the position to earn many useful points.

I would suggest to focus on low cost flying and accommodation, and treat any points gained as a bonus for the future. Even if you do not earn one point it will matter naught, as you will be earning memories that will last a lifetime. Points are a means, and not an end. So focus on the end, which in this case is to have a fantastic GAP year....

However by knowing about Airline Alliances, that may allow you pool points from different airlines. But if you get a really great fare on an airline that is not that useful for the future, go for it anyway.

 

[yo yo ma]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

Welcome to the forum jenner!

Remember to check the expiry dates of the points - eg Qantas expire after 18 months of no activity in the account. However, spending with Woolworths using the Everyday Rewards card earns you points and counts as activity. Qantas can be joined for free using the EDR scheme.

 

[userlame]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

Get the Woolies Everyday reward card. Give it to mum. Keep the points for yourself.
If you're crafty, find out a way to get two cards with the same barcode and give one to grandma as well.

 

[BAM1748]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

Get the Woolies Everyday reward card. Give it to mum. Keep the points for yourself.
If you're crafty, find out a way to get two cards with the same barcode and give one to grandma as well.

and don't forget petrol, between the two I earn about 13k worth of points per year without doing anything special, just my normal shopping and fuel.

 

[drron]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

Get the Woolies Everyday reward card. Give it to mum. Keep the points for yourself.
If you're crafty, find out a way to get two cards with the same barcode and give one to grandma as well.

This is good advice.you dont need a credit card to earn miles at Woollies.Having an EDR means you can get a QFF account without paying for it.
Some of the loyalty schemes have ways of earning life time status,so the earlier you start the better.QFF is the most popular with this.Some are of little use-eg AA have changed the way to earn life time status so it is very difficult for an Aussie to earn it now.Some just aren't relevant for you now-such as SPG.

But the best advice is to enjoy life.This frequent flyer/stayer world can be a means to doing it but too easily can take over.
and the best advice I ever had-life isn't a dress rehearsal.

So welcome to AFF.Keep reading you can learn a lot.may life bring you great travels and fulfillment.

 

[userlame]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

See if you can get some big purchases that friends, etc do at Big W and use your card as well. Office supplies, electronics, xmas presents etc. Help relatives with their shopping if you need to, on the condition you get your card swiped.

Friends having a party? make sure they buy their booze at BWS and you swipe your card.

Also, get even a small limit, points earning, credit card for your day-to-day transactions. Pay it off straight away (or even keep it with a positive balance) and still earn points on your day-to-day

 

[userlame]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

If your parents use AGL, get the account put in your name and link it to your fly buys card. See how many others you can sucker into doing this (haven't tried to do this one with more than one account before. Also, not sure how good the points spend is on fly buys - but can be used to book flights through web jet)

 

[Deleted member]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

Yo Yo Ma said it all, there are other ways of accumulating , even at low levels.
If I had begun watching and accumulating points when I was your age, I think my situation would be much improved ( flying wise).
Its all about the journey, but having some knowledge at the beginning will mean less regreat later on.
so go with EDR and the like and see what happens

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

Friends having a party? make sure they buy their booze at BWS and you swipe your card.

With all due respect, this is seriously bad advice.

Friends are a friends. Sure swipe you card IF they don't mind, and you are already shopping there. But soliciting friends to shop at more expensive stores for your benefit is not a good idea. Let them buy their booze for cheaper at 1st Choice or Dan Murphy's. Pestering them will soon see you as an ex-friend.


As others have said put the hard word on parents, or grandparents because they may well be pleased to do it if they are not already doing it themselves.

But friends leave alone. Value them for their friendship.

 

[ckck]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

With all due respect, this is seriously bad advice.

Friends are a friends. Sure swipe you card IF they don't mind, and you are already shopping there. But soliciting friends to shop at more expensive stores for your benefit is not a good idea. Let them buy their booze for cheaper at 1st Choice or Dan Murphy's. Pestering them will soon see you as an ex-friend.


As others have said put the hard word on parents, or grandparents because they may well be pleased to do it if they are not already doing it themselves.

But friends leave alone. Value them for their friendship.

I wholeheartedly agree with this post. I took a friend out to a restaurant that was linked with QFF (expecting to get the points with my QFF card) as I was at the table organising payment my "friend" hopped up went to the counter and presented her QFF card and took my points. Seriously.P!$$ed.Off.

 

[amaroo]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

Welcome to AFF - jenner

Good to see you're on the FF crusade......much earlier than me

If you haven't done so already - select a FF program that suits your flying need.....maybe, more than 1 however, at this early stage splitting your points & SC could be frustrating.

CC earns are great however, just make sure you don't get carried away as they are not free (annual fees) and when you're young - spending via cards can be addictive.

Don't forget family transfers - mum/dad/basically anyone...if they are not interested in points they can transfer their points to you. This is particular good if they are big CC spenders.

Don't bother flying any class other than economy.....at your age, it will more fun & you WILL meet far more interesting people.

And most importantly......AFF is a great forum with fantastic members however, it's very public therefore, take care on your post content......your first post is very good however, IMO you don't need the last line.

Good travels & look forward to seeing more of you on AFF.

 

[BAM1748]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

I don't see any big deal about asking friends, I would do it if someone asked me.

matt

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Is it worth trying to get points?

Hi!
I've just finished Year 12, and had been toying with the idea of taking a traveling gap year, which is what got me starting to look at various ways to earn points etc for flights. I've decided to take a break in the middle of my university degree instead, and I would like to use points from reward programs to pay for a flight.

Obviously it's quite complicated, with all the different programs, cards and credit cards, but I'm willing to do a lot of reading and figure it all out. But before I do that, I'm wondering whether it's worth it for me.

I don't have a job, and thus will likely not qualify for credit cards. And I don't spend much money- I still live at home, so most of my expenses (food, electricity, etc) are paid for by my parents.

I do have a bit of money saved up ($18,000), if that makes any difference

Hi Jenner

I'm in a different camp to the majority it seems.

Something like Qantas frequent flyer is a bit of a waste unless using points for something like a premium ticket or an upgrade, and without status those upgrades can be very hard. The taxes fees and carrier surcharges just don't make qantas redemptions worthwhile for economy travel**. The example I gave the other day was a flight Australia to USA - in addition to your hard earned points, there were charges of $800+. Why spend $100,000 to accrue 100,000 points to redeem (+$800 tax) when you could just buy the fare outright on a cheaper airline for $1200? And you can buy that ticket when you want, not waiting to accrue so many points.

There are some great programs out there for frequent flyers, such as US Airways or Avianca Life Miles - those programs allow you to buy miles at heavily discounted rates during promotions and then exchange those for later travel. It means you can buy premium travel (with all the benefits such as extra baggage, lounges etc etc) for a few hundred dollars more than you might send on a Qantas economy ticket. There are threads here on AFF explaining all the ins and outs of those programs, and I think that is a better spend of money rather than QF points.

**some economy awards are good value, particularly some short distance flights where economy fares might be very high. China-Japan or China-Hong Kong can be examples where FF points are a good use for economy. (China-Tokyo on Japan Airlines for example is around $700+ in economy so points might be a good use, although that needs to be weighed against taking the China Eastern flight for just $360)