FrequentFlyer.com.au - Gazette, December 2003

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THE FREQUENT FLYER GAZETTE :: DECEMBER 2003
ISSN 1446-4292

1. What's the point
2. Members' Talk
3. Industry News
4. Promotions

Hello and welcome to the final edition of the Frequent Flyer Gazette for 2003.

What's a point worth? This month we'll put a value on Qantas frequent flyer points and show how to stretch those points further by purchasing points from American Airlines. As usual we'll highlight discussions on our Bulletin Board, cover Airline Industry news, and present selected promotions and special offers.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our Frequent Flyer Club members for the support over the last 12 months. Thank you also to those who contribute to our Bulletin Board, in particular the 'regulars' who unselfishly share their valuable knowledge and experience.

We'll be taking a break in January, but will return with the very best in all things Frequent Flyer in February 2004.

Have a happy and safe festive season.

Ben
Editor, Frequent Flyer Gazette.


Mortgage Amount


	Refinance Loan
	New Loan

	1. WHAT'S THE POINT
		What's it worth? The value of Qantas frequent flyer points is again under the spotlight. At around this time every year, disappointed frequent flyers try to redeem their hard-earned points for travel over the Christmas break, only to discover that there is no availability. Inevitably, the question "What's a frequent flyer point worth anyway?" is asked. Our latest Smart Guide, A Guide to calculating the value of Qantas Frequent Flyer points, addresses this issue in some detail. Depending on how the points are used, and the dollar cost at the time of booking, a Qantas Frequent Flyer point can be worth as much as 6c (when used for international travel) or as little 0.33c (when used to rent a car). Purchasing points Here is a trick for those that travel on Qantas, but never seem to have enough points for anything substantial. American Airlines is a Qantas oneWorld partner and, unlike Qantas, allows for the purchasing of frequent flyer points. So, if you are planning to take an international award trip, consider joining the American Airlines AAdvantage program. You can arrange for the points you earn when travelling on Qantas to be credited to your AAdvantage account, instead of Qantas Frequent Flyer account. When you are ready to make an award booking and you are short of a few hundred points, you can purchase the required points directly from American Airlines. Note that you will need to make your booking through the AAdvantage program, as points cannot be transferred to Qantas.

A Helping Hand in the Club

One of our readers put out this plea last month: "... I am a member of Qantas Club so I can get in, but I am taking my wife overseas in January and 1 guest card is not going to make her a happy camper. Anyone out there have 3 guest passes that I could beg or buy."

It is fair to say that our readers were extremely generous in their response and cactusjack's wife will be a happy camper after all.

Way out West

It�s good to see someone has gone into bat for the West. A self-proclaimed long term Frequent Flyer member has utilised the discussion board and given Qantas a tongue-lashing. See the letter our reader sent to Qantas. We wonder how Qantas will respond, if at all ...

Gauging availability of upgrades

One of our regulars contributors suggests that the Qantas site can be used as a very rough gauge on availability, but a better option is the ITN website.

A Guide to calculating the value of Qantas Frequent Flyer points

EXCLUSIVE OFFER

Buy all three Smart Guides and save 27%

Calculate the value of points (RRP $4.95)
Earn points with your mortgage (RRP $14.95)
Select the right credit card (RRP $5.95)

Purchase all three guides for only $18.95!!

Frequent Flyer points are the most effective �promotional currency� ever devised. A major reason for their success is the fact that the actual value of each point is difficult to determine.

The purpose of this guide is to remove the mystery surrounding the value of Qantas frequent flyer points by presenting clear, comprehensive and objective answers to the following questions:

what's the "typical" value of a Qantas frequent flyer point
what's your "personal" value of a frequent flyer point
when is it best to redeem points for free travel (versus purchasing a ticket)?

FREE CALCULATOR! Included in the price of the Guide is the use of an online calculator. The Points Value Calculator defaults to the �typical� value of Qantas frequent flyer points for the most common scenarios. To assist in making personal decisions, you can use the calculator to determine your �personal� value per point. This is easily done by re-calibrating the calculator with your specific preferences. Full instructions are provided

For more information CLICK HERE

Ansett's Good and Bad news

Former Ansett staff could be in for a $150 million Christmas present. Under a settlement approved by the Federal Court in Melbourne last month, a further $150 million will go to former workers. This means thousands of Ansett workers will have received $550 million dollars out of the $760 million owed to them.

Unfortunately there is no such good news for Ansett Global Reward members. There will be no compensation at all to Ansett's frequent flyers. I guess all we walk away with is lesson's learnt. In particular, points should be used and not hoarded. A useful rule of thumb is that your frequent flyer points balance shouldn't be more than about 3 years worth of accumulated points.

Virgin Floats

Virgin Blue has announced it will try to raise $558 million by floating 25 per cent of its company. Patrick Corporation plans to spend around $130 million to maintain its 45 per cent stake in the airline. The move by Patrick will give it control of the airline and will see Patrick chief executive Chris Corrigan instilled as the chairman of Virgin Blue.

Jet Lagging

Jet lag could become a thing of the past. As of this month passengers on a new long-range Airbus A340-500 will be able to stay under an Arabian night sky designed to overcome jet lag. Emirate will introduce cabin mood lighting which projects the nights sky onto ceiling panels in an attempt to help passengers adjust their body clocks.

Survey

A bureau of Transport and Regional Economics study shows that rural Australians have lost service to almost 100 airports over the past 15 years. Sounds a bit like the rural telephone service-rural residents being shafted again.

Airline appeal

Air New Zealand and QANTAS have gone to the New Zealand High Court to appeal the country�s commerce commission decision top reject an alliance between the two. The New Zealand Commerce Commission and the ACCC deemed anti the alliance competitive.

Still call Melbourne home

Qantas has announced Melbourne will become the home of their cut-price airline. Victorian premier Steve Bracks has heralded the move and said the airline would create 1000 new jobs and 3000 indirect jobs.

Journey to middle-earth

Air New Zealand is cashing in on the Lord Of The Rings sensation. On their official website they are promoting flights to NZ as a flight to middle earth calling on people to check out the actual locations where the film was shot.

	4. PROMOTIONS
		Qantas Award discounts 25% off selected Award flights between Sydney and New York. 10,000 points off between selected flights between Sydney, Cairns or Melbourne and Tokyo. 2,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles Take-Off with Singapore Airlines this New Year with fantastic new fares to destinations around the globe, including Europe, Asia, India and Africa. Book and pay for your New Year Take-Off fare online and receive 2,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles. Travel insurance Columbus Direct is offering members of the Frequent Flyer Club 20% off their already discounted travel insurance policies. Visit Columbus Direct for more. To claim your 20% discount off the regular price, you will need to purchase your policy from the Travel Insurance link which is available in the Members Area of the website. Something a little different - Sorelli Promotions Sorelli Promotions host a variety of exceptional live music performances in an authentic Eastern European atmosphere. Check them out at www.sorelli.com.au. If you're a music lover, reside in Melbourne (or can use your frequent flyer points to get here!) and wish to experience something a bit different - try one of their concerts. We have negotiated a $2 discount for our readers. To qualify for the discount, print out this page and present it when booking. Comes with a personal recommendation from the editorial team!

� THE AUSTRALIAN FREQUENT FLYER, 2003