This section of the newsletter is sponsored by the new revamped Frequent Flyer Club.  The Frequent Flyer Club is owned and operated by the Handzon Company.

• Star Alliance expands again! Star Alliance Airlines now have 18 carriers offering 15,000 daily flights to 833 destinations in over 152 countries.  The Frequent Flyer Club has found an increase in the number of Australian and New Zealanders who wish to use their points on airlines such as United, Singapore and Thai as they steer away from Qantas.  Get us to help you also as it is safer not to place all your points with the one carrier.
   

• Virgin Blue Frequent Flyer Scheme? Expect a Frequent Flyer program to be an important component of Virgin Blues� new corporate makeover in 2005.  Our sources know of certain ideas being bounced around with Richard Branson wanting Virgin Atlantic (now flying into Sydney) to link to their successful international program.  If it happens, The Frequent flyer Club will let members know first!  We have heard it will be simple, based on flown miles, probably linked to their Virgin Mobile phone network and allowing easy upgrades and use of points/miles against other Virgin related companies.
   

• Hyatt Hotels  Redeem up to 20% less points per room night stay at leading Hyatt Hotels worldwide. Instead of 20,000 to 30,000 points per night, use only 18,000 to 25,000 points.  Still an expensive way to utilise points but some like it this way.
   

• Frequent Flyer Bookings for the New Year  In anticipation of a mid year scramble by Qantas Frequent Flyer members to secure award bookings, we suggest you grab a diary and plan your next frequent flyer trip.  Plan well ahead and get us to arrange tickets soon.  We expect a mad rush in April to try and score QF/BA/CX flights � just before the new Qantas rules take place in May 2005.
   

• Cruise to earn Amex points  This is proving remarkably popular as American Express card members have been given 10,000 Membership Reward points when booking selected P&O Princess cruises.  The offer has now been extended to include Cunard and Radisson Cruises.  This exclusive offer exists only through axistravel.com.au for joined AMEX card members.  Cruises must be a minimum of 10 nights duration and does not apply to P&O South Pacific cruises on Pacific Sun or Sky.
   

• US Airways on Hold  Complaints by US-based frequent flyers are justified as US AIR goes into Chapter 11 Bankruptcy mode and have put an embargo on new frequent flyer award redemptions.  As we have often stated on frequentflyerclub.com.au, its not advisable to "horde" points - rather use them when you can, while you can.  Recently, we were able to issue 7 tickets on an American carrier across USA for an Australian family before the carrier stopped frequent flyers award redemptions. Remember that the staff at Frequent Flyer Club are qualified, trained and accredited Travel Agents who daily work in the industry � keeping abreast of the situations as they arise.
   

• The Frequent Flyer Club website now takes online payments The site has been revamped and now accepts online payments via credit cards.  Frequent Flyer AVAILABILITY checks remain free.  Or you can use this new facility to go directly into a Frequent Flyer Flight REQUEST to grab whatever seats are available on any airline!  Check it out on frequentflyerclub.com.au.  You can join as a member and get the many free benefits and advantages or just use the site to book frequent flyer seats, without joining as a member. Your choice.
   

Get us to secure your frequent flyer seats now online or by calling 1300 738 073.