My partner and I are brand new at this, please help!

[Jimbo B]

Hi all!

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this, and comment back.

My partner (Canadian) and I (Australian) have been back in Australia since December '14' after living in Canada for the previous 22 months. We know that Australia will be home for the next 3 years at least, but we will be flying back and forth to Canada as well as around Australia quite often. We want to start taking full advantage of this fact by learning how best to work the system to our advantage. We know there is more that we can be doing to achieve this, but we aren't too sure how best to do that. I will try my best to outline what our current living situation is, but if anyone needs any questions answered in order to help us, please ask.

- Currently neither of us own a credit card that is earning us points (foolish I know) and I am the only one who is a member of FF programs (QFF, VVFF).
- She is a teacher and I am a full-time student (some part-time work).
- We buy our fuel strictly at BP (VVFF), and mostly shop at Woolworths (QFF).
- When flying anywhere OS my partner will fly Air Canada, because she gets cheap flights from her mother's long service to the airline.
- I believe the Star Alliance is the best group for us to fly within, but am open to other suggestions.
- Domestic flights are open for discussion with us, as we have no preference.
- Our closest domestic airport is Albury, NSW (Q, V, Rex).
- Closest International is MEL, although we have no issues going to SYD.

As the title indicates we are brand new at this, but we are both determined to learn everything we can and hopefully we can help others eventually too.

Kind regards, Jimbo B

 

[burmans]

Well you surely are in the right place. Welcome.

 

[smit0847]

Welcome! You may wish to consider the velocity amex in my signature. Its a great place to start as I think its the best credit card offer in Australian history!!

 

[NSWP]

Welcome Jimbo enjoy the site. My Credit Card is ANZ Platinum - Qantas FF. I get points on purchases and using One World airlines, like Cathay Pacific in a couple of weeks. Also get 'free travel insurance, when I pay airfare/trip deposits on it. One card does me thank you, I am retired.

 

[andye]

As you are self-funded I would generally recommend a best-fare-of-the day approach for domestic travel.

Having said that, I would lean toward VA as it partners with Singapore which is in Star Alliance like Air Canada.
There are two of you so the family pooling with VA is an advantage.
You can convert VA points to Krisflyer points
An added advantage is that VA has lower surcharges than Qantas.
In my view QF will often beat VA if you fly a lot internationally because of the Oneworld benefits, but if your main international flights are on Star Alliance then that is less of an issue.
You might get a few QF points at Woolworths but I wouldn't let it influence your frequent flyer decisions (do look into buying WW e-gift cards via Entertainment Book for a discount however).
The current Amex Velocity Platinum card would be a good starting point if you are eligible (and pay off your credit card bill every month). There are plenty of referral links on here

 

[Jimbo B]

I would have to agree.

Cheers

 

[burmans]

Welcome! You may wish to consider the velocity amex in my signature. Its a great place to start as I think its the best credit card offer in Australian history!!

I knew someone would recommend this card, and cant doubt its a good one. As a full time student not sure he'd get it though, although his partner might.

My recommendation though before jumping into getting a Credit Card is try and work out which FF program works best for their travel and then which CC works for that (rather than jumping straight into getting a card), as certainly based on the profile given they are unlikely to be able to get straight on the CC churn wagon with limited credit history.

I agree with most of what andye has to say, the other option is joining Singapore Airlines itself since
- it is a Star Alliance partner and hence you could credit Air Canada flights direct there
- you would not lose the 35% involved in going from VA to SQ

If this is the case then the Amex Plat Edge is a good card, you get
- a free local flight locally
- 3 points per dollar (which can then be sent to SQ) for purchase at Supermarkets or for 5% wish cards bought via Entertainment Book (you can in turn buy other carsd at Woolworths for quite a few other things, e.g. fuel, movies, dinner, Myers, DJ's) which essentially means you are getting 5% off and 3 point for a fair bit of spend

Having said all that I'm not sure these benefits trump the 110K signon benefit of the Velocity card, though in my opinion it is a (much) better ongoing card to have.!

 

[andye]

Agree with burmans on the Edge. Its a keeper way beyond signup bonuses. Suspect its easier to get than the veloc plat too. Not sure if its possible to sign up for the big bonus then change ( though that is a lot of fees upfront if they charge both)