which is the best loyalty program (airline/shopping) for flight rewards?

[SOPOOR]

can someone give me a few pointers for this question,

currently, dont fly at all for work (so no status, not looking for status either)

currently have both bank issued Amex and MC cards

Massive points collector,
put everything on amex and MC, dont do those sign up bonuses (though I might consider it)

looking to get the best value for buck flying international, not interested in domestic

im using Qantas program but I hear talk of other programs and would like some opinions

so far on QFF ive worked out that buying economy tickets cash and points upgrade is the best value for buck however chances of getting the upgrades without status is unlikely

so the next best option is first class or business class, First class requires too many points and many flights dont have them, so i guess im looking at business class,


what are peoples experiences with the other programs compared to QFF in terms of benefit to ratio spend??

in laymans terms I guess, what is the program that allows me to get the lowest spend (inc taxes) for long haul business class flights, or upgrades if possible

thank you everyone

 

[Mattg]

Are you looking to travel anywhere in particular? Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific) and Singapore KrisFlyer are both good for Business class to Asia and Europe. If you're collecting a lot of points that can be transferred to Asia Miles then you may also be interested in Cathay's round-the-world business class redemption for 190,000 miles.

AAdvantage (American) is great for domestic and Trans-Tasman business class, as well as long-haul business class to South Africa, Europe and North America (though finding availability to the USA is almost impossible). I think Diners Club is the only card in Australia where you can transfer points directly to AAdvantage, but Amex membership rewards points can be converted to SPG points and then AAdvantage miles.

 

[Deleted member]

youdon’t necessarily need to fly for work to achieve some kind of status. a fewjudicious flight choices each year as part of your annual holiday travel can achievegreat things.
Inever used to worry about status, now I'm addicted and I rarely fly forbusiness.
areyou travelling alone? or are you looking to plan trips for two or more ?
Ihave status and a reasonable chunk of Points with QF. due to the latest EDRthing going south, I have connected with Etihad and linked my Fly Buys account,so I’m still learning the ropes here. there is a new threads with lots ofcomment and info if you check it out.
becauseI’m a self-funded mainly non business flyer, i have chosen to stick with oneprogramme.
Ichose QFF because I’m also Life time QP.
howeverthere is much to be said for the Virgin family pooling option and sticking withthat FF plan. but its horses for courses I find.

 

[SOPOOR]

Are you looking to travel anywhere in particular? Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific) and Singapore KrisFlyer are both good for Business class to Asia and Europe. If you're collecting a lot of points that can be transferred to Asia Miles then you may also be interested in Cathay's round-the-world business class redemption for 190,000 miles.

AAdvantage (American) is great for domestic and Trans-Tasman business class, as well as long-haul business class to South Africa, Europe and North America (though finding availability to the USA is almost impossible). I think Diners Club is the only card in Australia where you can transfer points directly to AAdvantage, but Amex membership rewards points can be converted to SPG points and then AAdvantage miles.

thanks! im not used to talking in miles as ive never dealt with them,

would prefer long haul but could also do asia as well,

ive been looking at and using the QFF for rtw for 280k QFF points, which is for me on average $280k spend, using 1.5 for amex and .625 for MC on average works out to be 1:1 per $ based on my spending,

does it work out better on your program?

youdon’t necessarily need to fly for work to achieve some kind of status. a fewjudicious flight choices each year as part of your annual holiday travel can achievegreat things.
Inever used to worry about status, now I'm addicted and I rarely fly forbusiness.
areyou travelling alone? or are you looking to plan trips for two or more ?
Ihave status and a reasonable chunk of Points with QF. due to the latest EDRthing going south, I have connected with Etihad and linked my Fly Buys account,so I’m still learning the ropes here. there is a new threads with lots ofcomment and info if you check it out.
becauseI’m a self-funded mainly non business flyer, i have chosen to stick with oneprogramme.
Ichose QFF because I’m also Life time QP.
howeverthere is much to be said for the Virgin family pooling option and sticking withthat FF plan. but its horses for courses I find.

interesting..... im travelling alone mostly, however been doing jetstars and air asias for asia so no status as im chasing cheaper flights......

 

[Mattg]

Do you have a Qantas direct-earning credit card, or do you earn credit card rewards points?

 

[SOPOOR]

Do you have a Qantas direct-earning credit card, or do you earn credit card rewards points?

yes I have a CBA amex, and MC, I use about on average $10k per month and get about 10k points per month into my qantas account
hope this helps

 

[Mattg]

yes I have a CBA amex, and MC, I use about on average $10k per month and get about 10k points per month into my qantas account
hope this helps

If you're earning Qantas points, then the 280K RTW J award is definitely the thing to be aiming for.

But Cathay Pacific has exactly the same award for 190K miles. You can earn Cathay Asia Miles indirectly with many cards - not the CBA one but the Westpac Altitude Black card earns Asia Miles indirectly at the same rate - 1.5 points per dollar on Amex and 0.625 with MC. That card also transfers to Singapore Airlines and a couple of other programs.

The Amex Platinum Edge card is another good one. That earns 1 point per dollar, but this increases to 3 points per dollar spent at supermarkets. It also comes with a free return VA flight every year - which in itself pays for the $195 annual fee.

Asia Miles are also good value for J awards to Asia and Europe as I said before. So once you've reached the 280K Qantas points, that could be the next thing to go for.

 

[Deleted member]

thanks! im not used to talking in miles as ive never dealt with them,

would prefer long haul but could also do asia as well,

ive been looking at and using the QFF for rtw for 280k QFF points, which is for me on average $280k spend, using 1.5 for amex and .625 for MC on average works out to be 1:1 per $ based on my spending,

does it work out better on your program?




interesting..... im travelling alone mostly, however been doing jetstars and air asias for asia so no status as im chasing cheaper flights......

Cheaper flights ? or cheaper better seats (J F etc)?

 

[justin23]

can someone give me a few pointers for this question,

currently, dont fly at all for work (so no status, not looking for status either)

I don't fly for work anymore and I usually can retain Silver status fairly easily every year. Next year I found cheap premium economy seats to Lima. i then have used the points to apply for business class upgrades. If you use the points to buy economy seats you will struggle to get status, but pay for flights earn the points and status and then use points to upgrade. That is how i do it. FYI $2600 CBR-LIM return in Y+ is getting me 280 SC's enough to retain Silver.