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Virgin shows its cards Well, as we predicted more than a year ago, Virgin has finally rolled out its credit card. And yes, it comes with a reward program but no frequent flyer scheme as yet. The low-interest, no annual fees card is offering the Mates Rates program which includes half price membership to the Virgin Blue Room and various discounts and offers at hotels, car rentals and entertainment venues among others. So far the only air-travel bonus is a five per cent discount on Virgin Atlantic internet fares on the Sydney to London route. That offer ends July 12. We believe the current program will never be popular as the customer will always have to spend money to get a reward. We suspect Virgin is simply buying time and watching the reaction to its credit card. If it proves to be a success, then a gradual introduction of a simple frequent flyer program will follow. Most likely it will be based on Virgin Atlantic�s program. What�s everyone thinking about the new card and its future prospects for a frequent flyer program? Post your opinion on our Discussion Board. Altitude concerns Our discussion board members reported some concerns about Westpac�s Altitude credit card security. They say it�s possible for strangers to view others� account details on the internet if they know the email address and date of birth of the account holder. Altitude program management has answered these concerns by saying that only the owner is able to transfer points. Also, account holders don�t have to leave their email address when registering and can change their details by phoning Westpac. Eyes wide open US Airways is eyeing off a piece of the action in the Star Alliance network. Last month the airline signed an agreement with Lufthansa to work more closely together. In the spirit of corporation, Lufthansa chief Juergen Weber has given a public backing to US Air�s interest in joining the Star Alliance, expected to happen sometime next year. Points on the Cheap A Qantas Frequent Flyer member planning to travel between Sydney and Perth recently asked me whether he should use his hard-earned points to buy an award flight, or buy the tickets and accumulate more points. The answer, as we�ve discussed in the Frequent Flyer Gazette numerous times before, is �it depends�. It depends on three things: how many points are required for the award flight, the price of the cheapest ticket available for when you want to travel, and the value you place on your points. Using the Sydney-Perth trip as an example � an award trip will cost 30,000 points (+ taxes). The cheapest ticket I have come across was a $300 return fare (including taxes) during the Virgin Blue post-Christmas sale. This values each Qantas point at 1c (actually less, if you include taxes) which, in my opinion is too cheap. I only redeem Qantas points if the value is more than about 3c per point. However, this is a personal thing � someone else may decide that a point is only worth a cent, and would be happy to buy an award ticket for 30,000 points rather than purchasing a $300 fare. As a side note, the best value per point � up to 10c - is when you upgrade from discount economy to business class on international flights. Frequent Flyer Club members receive individual and expert advice regarding how best to use their points. See examples of the Frequent Flyer Health Checks we prepare for our members.
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A member of our discussion board recently wrote about taking part in a Qantas disaster management seminar, where the guest speaker was a ranking member of Qantas security. �The main topic was Bali, and the role Qantas took in the site management and evacuation of persons back to Australia (he had some amazing slides, all marked as "Qantas - CONFIDENTAL"),� the member wrote. �One of this gentleman's points was that in the event of a 'bomb scare' at an airport the current thinking is never leave the terminal and head for the car park! You should move away from the terminal and wait well clear of any motor vehicles (especially taxis). �You should attempt to keep away from large groups of people standing in the one spot. Space out, and wait for further instruction. At the same time, be aware of your immediate surroundings. �Qantas have a very comprehensive system of �event, incident and disaster� management plans for every possible occurrence. After attending this seminar, and learning of how Qantas handles �problems� I feel quite secure travelling with them.� Qantas cautious on frisking Qantas chief Geoff Dixon says while security on the airline�s planes would be reviewed in light of last month�s on-board stabbing, going the whole hog and body searching passengers would be extreme. "We'll look at the screening process but there will be always a chance that something will get through," he was reported as saying by ninemsn. Prime Minister John Howard attempted to calm the travelling public following the mid-air incident in which a man allegedly armed with wooden stakes attempted to enter the cockpit of a Melbourne-Tasmania Qantas flight.
"In all probability (it) is the act of somebody who is quite unstable and we
have had unstable people since the beginning of time," Mr Howard told 3AW radio.
"The airline industry in Australia is coping with a lot of difficulties already
and I don't want to needlessly add to them.�
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