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Our members this week deliver a crash course on maximising the value of your frequent flyer points. Responding to a request for advice from an inquisitive new member, our members offer a wide range of valuable tips. Being new to the world of frequent flyer points, it’s a significant but decidedly positive learning curve for our new member.
Attaining the best value for your points is one of the topics discussed in detail. Our members explain that a stockpile of Qantas points is best used on reward flights in business or first class, or on upgrades. On the other hand, the worst ways to spend points include shopping at the Qantas online store or booking hotel accommodation.
While burn rates are important, so too are earn rates and the best ways to earn points are examined. Points don’t have to be earned by flying, and in fact large chunks of points can be accumulated through credit cards. Credit card signup bonuses are a particularly great way to earn large amounts of points for virtually no cost. But even if you don’t fly often or have a credit card, it can still be possible to pick up large amounts of points by simply buying them from certain airlines, such as American Airlines.
Our members also discuss the pros and cons of gaining elite airline status, such as Qantas Gold or Platinum status, as a leisure flyer. For a frequent traveller, gaining status is a bit of a no-brainer as it comes with numerous benefits such as airport lounge access. But for an infrequent flyer, the extra cost incurred to gain the status may not be worthwhile. One member points out that passengers flying in business class, regardless of whether they paid in cash or points, still receive all the perks associated with elite status. For this reason, it could make more sense for an occasional flyer to purchase reward seats in premium cabins and enjoy the benefits without the expense of obtaining status.
There are countless other strategies for procuring top value from your frequent flyer points. One member suggests that our member peruse the AFF Knowledge Centre, where many of the best strategies are explained in detail.
Share your top frequent flyer point strategies HERE.
