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 THE FREQUENT FLYER GAZETTE   ::   APRIL 2004
 ISSN 1446-4292
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CONTENTS ::
 
1. Status Credits
2. Program News
3. Industry News
4. Promotions

Editors Note ::
 
Hello and welcome to the April edition of the Frequent Flyer Gazette.

This month we discuss Status Credits, the confusing and often misunderstood other frequent flyer "currency". We explain what they are, their value, and offer some tips on how to maximise them.

We have the usual news from Oz and abroad and some great "insight" from a reader regarding the Qantas Frequent Flyer joining fee and how non Australians residents avoid paying it.

Enjoy your reading and don�t forget to take part in the interesting exchanges taking place every day and night on our discussion board.

Happy reading.

Ben
Editor, Frequent Flyer Gazette

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1. STATUS CREDITS
 

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So much of our attention is focussed on acquiring frequent flyer points, that we often forget about Status Credits - the other frequent flyer "currency".  We do this at our peril because a healthy Status Credit balance has lots of benefits.  Like every thing else in the frequent flyer world, there are tricks which those "in the know" use to maximise their Status Credits and reap the rewards.

For the purpose of this discussion, we will limit ourselves to the Qantas program, but the concepts can be applied to all airline frequent flyer programs.

What are Status Credits and how are they earned?

There are four levels of Qantas Frequent Flyer membership (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum).  The membership level of a particular member is determined by the number of Status Credits that person has accumulated.

The higher the Frequent Flyer membership level, the more frequent flyer points earned on a particular flight and the greater the privileges.  Privileges such as: complimentary Qantas Club entry/ membership; priority telephone reservation service, waitlist and check-in; extra baggage allowances; preferred seating; and on-departure upgrades.

Unlike frequent flyer points which can be earned with many types of transactions, Status Credits can only be earned by flying Qantas (or its airline partners).

The number of Status Credits earned is determined by flight miles and the type of ticket purchased:  from 10 points for a short flight (upto 1,000 miles) on a discount economy ticket to 320 credits for a long flight (over 8,000 miles) in first class.

Tips to maximise Status Credits earned

Work the Flight Mile tier structure.  Status Credits are awarded not by actual distance flown, but rather by Flight Mile tier.  A flight which falls into the next tier earns more credits, even if the actual extra distance travelled is just one mile!  Probably the best domestic flight for earning cheap Status Credits is the Adelaide-Brisbane trip.  The distance is 1006 km so it exceeds the magical 1,000 km limit and puts you in the 2nd tier (you get double the number of credits as compared to a flight under 1,000 km).  As there is much competition on this route, prices are heavily discounted - a $139 red e-deal can get you 20 Status Credits.

Pick a routing which has two flight numbers.  A flight is considered to be a one way trip with a single flight number.  If the flight number changes during a journey, it is considered to be two flights, and you earn Status Credits for each "flight".  For example: Melbourne to Sydney via Canberra on a flight with different flight numbers for each sector will earn double credits!

Do a Mileage Run.  This involves taking a flight just to get the Status Credits.  It may we worth spending a few hundred bucks to get enough credits to take you to the next Frequent Flyer membership level. A cost effective way to earn heaps of Status Credits is from Round the World trips.  Frequent Flyer junkies have turned this into an art: read about the adventures on an enterprising Scotsman at www.rtwman.co.uk.

For more tips read our Discussion Board or join the Frequent Flyer Club for a personalised advice.


2. PROGRAM NEWS
 

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Frequent Flyer Credit Card Guide

Last month we updated the Guide to Selecting Frequent Flyer credit cards to include the recent Westpac and CBA changes.  The updated Guide was made available - at no additional cost - to all those who purchased the original version of the Guide.

If you purchased the original version and haven't yet received instructions on how to download the updated version, please email [email protected] and quote your receipt number and date of purchase.

For those who haven't yet purchased the Guide, you can purchase the updated version at the original price of $5.95. 

Qantas and Australian residents

Qantas waiver the usual $82.50 Frequent Flyer joining fee for applicants to their program who are resident outside of Australia and New Zealand.

Here is a tip from on of our readers: "If you are looking to save the AU$82.50 for the QFF membership then maybe register overseas and get the mail sent to a relative or friend overseas. You will get your QFF number emailed to you anyway and that is all you really need. Later on, just update your profile with your real address online."

We can't figure why Qantas discriminate against Australian residents - surely we are their primary customers and should be treated accordingly...

... and sometimes they do.  We received an email from another reader praising the "generous" service they received from Qantas:  "Qantas emailed me to advise that they were reviewing my next year�s Freq Flyer status and that I would need so many point to retain my silver status and could I reply outlining my planned travel plans for the coming year. I did reply with a �nice� letter saying that I didn�t realize individual evaluation was available etc etc. Anyway they replied saying my silver status would be retained even though I hadn�t earned it !! Seems they are trying to be extra generous for some reason."

So I guess that balances the score card!

South African Airways and Qantas partnership to be terminated?

South African Airways (SAA) have announced they will be joining the Star Alliance network.  As a consequence they will gradually terminate the relationship they have with all non-Star airlines, including Qantas.

The means that soon you'll be unable to use Qantas Frequent Flyer points to fly SAA - so if you're planning a trip on SAA, book ASAP but certainly before the changes become effective.

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3. INDUSTRY NEWS
 
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Paperwork lapses led to Virgin Blue restrictions

Virgin Blue has admitted its maintenance records are in disarray after discrepancies were found in the airline�s logs. The carrier is reported to be unable to account for all of the parts on its existing fleet of 40 B737s. Each B737 has 367,000 parts, which must be checked and replaced regularly.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) said there was no immediate safety risk to Virgin Blue aircraft despite it ordering Virgin aircraft to keep its planes within an hour of an airport.

Virgin Blue's head of strategy, David Huttner, has stressed all aircraft parts across the fleet were young and well within their lifespan.
 

New airlines, coming soon to our skies

Australian Formula One car racing identity Paul Stoddart is set to launch a cut-price domestic airline.  The airline,  to be called Ozjet, will use 100-seater BA 146 aircraft and offer a point-to-point service from secondary airports in Melbourne and Sydney. It then plans to expand to Queensland, Adelaide and Canberra. 

One day after the Ozjet announcement, Australian international low-cost carrier BackpackersXpress announced it is hoping to run a low-cost service between Australia and Europe from the middle of this year.  The Brisbane-based group is aiming to conduct flights from Manchester to Melbourne.  The planned 473-seat all-economy layout will include karaoke, dance competitions, pizza and a personal DVD service.

Following hard on the heels of the Ozjet and BackpackersXpress announcements, the Australian Financial Review reported yet another low-cost carrier is set to enter the Australian market by the end of this year.  The report claims Leisurejet intends to fly high-yield niche routes from Sydney and Melbourne to destinations in Asia and southern Europe, and will also target budget travellers and those visiting family and friends.

  


4. PROMOTIONS
 
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Qantas Award discounts

5,000 points off Award flights between Sydney and Christchurch.  Valid for bookings 20 March to 15 April 2004, for travel 1 May to 30 June 2004.

20% off Award flights between Auckland and Christchurch.  Valid for bookings 20 March to 15 April 2004, for travel 1 April to 31 May 2004.

20% off all Award flights with Jet Star.   Valid for bookings 25 February to 25 May 2004, for travel from 25 May 2004.

Sofitel deal for Thai frequent flyers

Thai Airways� Royal Orchard Plus members will earn a total of 2,004 miles when staying at  Sofitel hotels in Europe, Australia and the US until the end of May.

Altitude Rewards Sale

SAVE 13,000 points when you redeem the Toshiba SD2600 DVD Player in black
SAVE 7,625 points when you redeem the Moulinex Kitchen Pack
SAVE 8,375 points when you redeem the DeLonghi Kettle
SAVE 7,000 points when you redeem this quality mixed wine dozen

 

� THE AUSTRALIAN FREQUENT FLYER, 2004