The quickest way of accumulating frequent flyer points

[Red Rose]

Hello there. New user and sorry for the lazy question which I am sure has been asked countless times here (and if so, I would be grateful if you could post the link of the discussion thread relevant to this question).

I have recently registered as a Qantas frequent flyer and have only have a measly 2000 points so far (I can hear the laughter from all the big hitters here with their seven digit QFF points ).

I have just signed up with an ANZ frequent flyers credit card (VISA and AMEX) and will use the AMEX to book flights and VISA for everything else.

My question in a nutshell is this: -

Who can I sign up with that will give me QFF points where I will not be obliged to stay a member for X months and spend $X during the duration of that membership (i.e. a bit of an in-[grab the points]-and-out job!).

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Saab34]

Shop at Woolies from now on, just link your everyday rewards card.

 

[JohnK]

Unfortunately unless you can put huge business expenses through a credit card there is no easy way to earn FF points.

Most of the credit card sign-on bonuses have disappeared for the time being. Unless you have been specifically targeted to sign up for a credit card with a sign-on bonus there is not much around. I think the Qantas branded Amex credit cards and the Earth Platinum credit cards offer 5,000 bonus points with a minimum spend condition attached.

 

[Red Rose]

Thanks for responding.

Worth joining eTrade?

Think they are offering 10,000 points once you have completed one successful trade (and you can trade from only $22) and it is free to join.

Only thing is I know nothing about online trading so I think it could end up throwing money away perhaps in the dream of chasing 10,000 points!!!

 

[Red Rose]

Thanks Suntar will sign up with Woolies today. WIll have to find out if there is one nr Kensington...

 

[moa999]

Simply put. There is no free lunch. You have to spend to get it, that said, there are ways of making that free lunch come more quickly.

 

[Maca44]

You don't have to put huge amounts on a credit card as little fish are sweat. Small insignificant items can be paid in cash, but if you think about putting as much as you can for items over say $20 on a card you will be amazed at how the points mount up. Just think of fuel, shopping, car rego/insurance, telephone/gas/electricity bills, rent and school fees (if applicable), they all mount up.

Edit: Don't forget that you usually have to pay between 1% and 2.5% fees.

 

[anat0l]

The quickest way, admittedly, is through flying.

Not to mention as you fly more, you then are able to gain better status with QF. Pax with status get a loading bonus on their mileage: 25% more for PS; 50% for SG and 100% for WP.


However, realistically everyone has said it before: there is no free lunch here. Unless you're a literal frequent flyer or big spender, points just don't run like water into your account - you'll need to rely on the trickling rate. Of course you'll need to pay for your travel (and if you pay for it using a card that sweeps via Qantas Direct then you'll get more points). Some of the Qantas credit cards give bonus points when you purchase Qantas services (flights) using them.

As far as I can tell, there aren't any specific cards you can sign up for that have bonuses. Some of them may have "honeymoon" style bonuses (e.g. 1.5 points per $ rather than 1 point per $), but do your homework.

It also pays to read up the Frequent Flyer specials: http://qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/memberSpecials/index. You just might find something you can take advantage of.

 

[coco50]

Shop at Woolies from now on, just link your everyday rewards card.

Woolies will only give you points after the first $30 of spending in the one transaction. The benefit is that if you use your linked credit card to pay for purchases then you are double-dipping to a certain extent

 

[harvyk]

For me, fly lots...

One of the nice things about the QFF program is that you get both a minimum number of points and all fare levels are entitled to points. I don't know where you live, but take advantage of a few of the Red-E-Deals somewhere especially the $89 ones, given a single return flight from say SYD - MEL can be had for $179 and yet earn 2000 points. Thats effectively a rate of 11.17 points for every $ spent. You'll be hard pressed finding a card with that sort of earning rate.

The other nice thing is that'll set you on your way to gaining status credits which can only be earnt by flying (and control your membership level)

 

[Harpoon]

The key for me is putting EVERYTHING possible through my QFF Visa. Even small items of $3 in 7/11 or wherever I try to put on the card.

Although my spending is the same, instead of earning 1000 points a month om my card I can get 2000 for example if I make sure that everything goes on the card. 12 months later it adds up! All my bills, direct debits, shopping, everything..........

The other things is to join all the other programs already mentioned like Woolworths which includes Big W and others soon to be added and shop there. But be careful you don't spend money just for the sake of points, which is the whole marketing campaign around the every day rewards card and means you might get more points but you pay for them and lose out

As already mentioned the only sure fire way to get points fast is to fly lots, or be able to put business expenses on a card that earns. Many of the forum regulars in here do both and reap the rewards.

 

[Rae]

I book ALL flights for my business and personal use through my Qantas branded Amex and I've noticed a major difference as I think it's 4 points per dollar for Qantas flights. I've earnt 562,000 points since May - or enough to fly hubby and step-son to England in business class this Christmas.

 

[Dr Bob]

Amex charge card
Particularly in supermarkets - even for a few dollars - it all builds up. No fee to you except the rewards program. Once you are established with then with turnover & good credit they will offer bonuses. I'm now on a platinum charge card not linked to Qantas so I can transfer points anywhere including Qantas.
So don't use cash use card & watch points mount up. Restaurant trick - get cash from everyone else & you pay with card.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Amex charge card
Particularly in supermarkets - even for a few dollars - it all builds up. No fee to you except the rewards program. Once you are established with then with turnover & good credit they will offer bonuses. I'm now on a platinum charge card not linked to Qantas so I can transfer points anywhere including Qantas.
So don't use cash use card & watch points mount up. Restaurant trick - get cash from everyone else & you pay with card.

How do you use the wad of cash that you now have when everything goes onto your credit card. :?:

 

[albatross710]

Hanging out for signup bonus is really a worthwhile cause. From monitoring this forum over the year you will probably see 20, 30, 40K worth of offers.

I even got 20K bonus Virgin points for signing up a work phone to the Virginmobile and now get points every month when the bill comes around.

My suggestion, monitor the collective thoughts recorded inthis forum and take up all of the offers ie Hyatt, Hiltons sign them all, use a seperate email account if you want to control the 'spam' aka marketing/partner offers.

 

[Dr Bob]

BB this is where the discipline comes in. When you get your statement you go to the post office & pay off your card with cash & top up bank account transfer is necessary

 

[anat0l]

So don't use cash use card & watch points mount up. Restaurant trick - get cash from everyone else & you pay with card.

Of course you will still need to use cash or a non-Amex card in some situations, but for us on this forum in particular, we'd like to keep those transactions as rare as possible.


The restaurant trick turns into a mini-war when you have several AFFers with Amex cards.

 

[medhead]

Restaurant trick - get cash from everyone else & you pay with card.

Note only do this with a group of people who all have jobs. Did it once with a group of students they count down to the last cent, but ignore things like corkage and group bread - ended up about $20 out of pocket

People with jobs quesstimate and then round up to the nearest $10. Usually make a slight profit that way.

 

[auriga]

Note only do this with a group of people who all have jobs. Did it once with a group of students they count down to the last cent, but ignore things like corkage and group bread - ended up about $20 out of pocket

People with jobs quesstimate and then round up to the nearest $10. Usually make a slight profit that way.

Whatever amount you collect, you add your share, and that should be the amount that goes onto the bill. Shouldn't be making a profit ( other than points) on this sort of transaction.

 

[Red Rose]

The eTrade 10,000 point offer on the frequent flyers promotion page looks quite good.

Terms of offer: -

"Offer applies to new E*TRADE accounts opened via the 'Join now' link on this page between 1 August and 31 October 2009 (Promotional Period) and is only open to residents of Australia aged 18 years or over. Offer is not valid in conjunction with any other offer and is not open to existing E*TRADE customers, or to staff, institutional and intermediary clients of E*TRADE. Customers who successfully open a new E*TRADE account during the Promotional Period and use this account to complete at least one successful trade within 60 days of applying online will receive 10,000 points credited to their Qantas Frequent Flyer account within 10 business days after completing the trade. Limit of one offer per E*TRADE account. Where the customer (acting in any capacity) opens more than one E*TRADE account, offer will only apply to the account first opened"

Of course have never done online trading and don't know what they mean by a "successful trade"...