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CONTENTS ::
 
1. Reward Programs
2. Press Roundup
3. Club Corner
4. Promotions
 

 

Editors Note :: 

Hi and welcome to the May edition of the Frequent Flyer Gazette. Well, it's deals galore, or at least that's what Qantas would have us believe. The flying kangaroo is pressing ahead with half price award bookings to keep its most loyal customers passing through the terminals.

One suspects much of that has to do with Virgin biting at the heels. Both airlines are planning expansions in the second part of the year to keep up with each other. What that means for us remains to be seen.

This month we'll also take a look at what's on offer and ponder how long it will be before Virgin caves in and starts its own loyalty program. Or will they remain no-frills all the way?

Congratulations must go to Qantas Telstra Visa card for winning an international award for its services, for the second year running. Read on for details.

 And if you have something to share with fellow subscribers, share it with everyone on our Bulletin Board.

Happy flying!

Adrian
Editor, Frequent Flyer Gazette

 
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1. THE REWARD PROGRAMS' LOW DOWN
 

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Star treatment

Star Alliance is celebrating its fifth birthday by offering its members up to 55,000 bonus miles for flying on five different airlines within the alliance over 55 days. The offer starts on May 14 and runs until July 7. Member airlines include Air New Zealand, Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways. But the deal is not as easy as it sounds as different airlines' frequent flyer program rules vary.

Car rental deals

Avis and Budget car rental companies have joined the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. You'll get five points per dollar spent on time and kilometre charges when using these companies in Australia and 700 points per rental overseas.

KrisFlyer competition

Singapore Airlines continues its push of the KrisFlyer program into Australia. Until May 17 the airline is running a "register to win competition". It's open to anyone and prizes include four return economy class airfares for two. The grand prize of two Raffles Class return airfares to Singapore with four nights' accommodation in a Deluxe Category Hotel, return transfers, buffet breakfast and a one day unlimited ride pass on the SIA Hop-on Trolley Bus Service.

 


2. THE PRESS ROUNDUP
 

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Aussie winner

Qantas Telstra Visa Card has taken out the best international frequent traveller credit card at America's Freddie Awards last month. It's the second year in a row that the card has claimed the award in the 14-year-old competition. The judges awarded the prize because the card offered the best combined benefits and opportunities to earn bonus miles or points.

Virgin Reward Program?

The tough fight for the Australian flier may soon force Virgin to consider launching some type of reward program to lure a stable pool of customers, especially the frequent business traveller. So far the no-frills carrier has resisted the option of starting up a program but there are rumours of a discount Virgin credit card heading for Australia later this year. If this happens who's to say a frequent flyer program tied into the card won't be lurking just around the corner?

Anything for a mile

"20 Minutes or 20,000 Miles." That's the innovative catch-cry from America's Delta Shuttle which is running a prompt service promotion. The company's offering 20,000 bonus miles if it takes its frequent flyers more than 20 minutes to get through the check-in on routes between Boston or New York and Washington D.C. Delta is showing off its improved security clearance processes.

Long wait

It's the type of service Qantas should take notice of. Following the collapse of Ansett, Qantas check-ins have grown long tails, with an increasing number of frustrated customers are reportedly forced to wait longer for the backlog to clear. Qantas says it's addressing the problems with plans to increase the number of counters and plans to start separate check-ins for business customers. There are also plans for a $50million lounge facelift, starting with Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane terminals.

Safety first

Albury hosted a special three-day air safety forum recently. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority held the series, which focused on the latest in aircraft maintenance, safety management, understanding weather and pilot decision making.

More go west

Perth travellers will benefit from Virgin's decision to add another return flight to its Melbourne to Perth return leg. The additional morning service from Melbourne is aimed at demand from business and leisure travellers, says Virgin. The return flight will leave Perth at lunch-time. Virgin Blue has also introduced connections for travellers between Brisbane and Sydney to Perth.

Sky wars

The new kid on the block is taking bigger and bigger chunks out of the flying kangaroo with Virgin vowing to snatch 50 percent of Australia's domestic aviation market. Virgin has set itself a tough course and will almost certainly have to look to non-leisure markets to maintain and strengthen its presence in the skies. Meantime Qantas has answered the challenge launching a line of Boeing 717s on new regional trips and issuing 1.5million discount tickets. And then there's Qantas' Australian Airlines targeting Asia-bound holiday makers due to start in October. And yes, you will be able to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points on the new Australian Airlines! Virgin isn't far behind though, with Richard Branson hinting a link up between Virgin Blue and Virgin Atlantic to service the Asia-Australia market.

More planes

Not one to be left behind, Virgin's boss Richard Branson says he'll soon buy an extra 40 aircraft worth more than $3.5billion to increase the number of flights on some of its routes. Sir Richard is hoping the cheap airfares will drive demand on local flights sky-high, perhaps doubling by 2005. Virgin has recently entered into a partnership with Patrick Corporation which is worth $260million.

    


3. CLUB CORNER
 
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All Frequent Flyer Club members are entitled to a free frequent flyer "Health Check" every year. We use our exclusive methodology to analyse your unique situation and provide a one-page personalised report on the status of your frequent flyer program usage.

This month we will feature the service we provided to one of our Club members.  Robin H is a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program with 42,000 points. All her points are earned through international travel - she travels on Qantas/American Airlines to Tampa, Florida 3 times a year. Her goal is to use her points to upgrade to Business Class.

We advised Robin to ditch Qantas and join the United Mileage Plus program. We believe this strategy is well suited to her specific requirement as she can earn an upgrade after just 2.5 flights instead of the 4 flights with Qantas. Download the complete Report for further details.

Remember, this unique service is available to Frequent Flyer Club members only. Join the Club, and let our Frequent Flyer experts prepare an individual report for you.

 


4. REWARDS AND SPECIALS FOR MAY
 
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Qantas offers

Qantas has extended its half price economy class award bookings for companions on trips to Argentina. Your companion will travel between Melbourne, Sydney and Buenos Aires for 40,000 points. The offer is also valid on trips from New Zealand. Qantas says the offer coincides with Argentina's May revolution holiday on May 25 and Malvinas Day on June 10. It runs between May 15 and June 28.

Qantas is offering a 20% discount on domestic return economy class awards. The offer's valid on flights between Sydney/Melbourne, Melbourne/Brisbane, Sydney/Brisbane or Melbourne/Adelaide from May 15 to June 20. The airline warns that availability will be limited on June 10 (Queen's Birthday).

If you're planning to take a friend on a trip to Asia check out Qantas' half price deals on companion reward bookings between Australia and Hong Kong, Manila, Taipei, Jakarta and Japan. The offer's valid both ways when you make a full rate award booking and runs between May 15 and June 30 (Hong Kong offer starts June 1). Qantas has also added extra three flights a week to Hong Kong.

Mileage earner

Earn 1,000 bonus miles every time you book air tickets through United Airlines website.

Singapore Airlines

KrisFlyer is offering a 40% mile discount on companion tickets when a program member redeems an economy class fair. You can also redeem KrisFlyer miles for upgrades. Promotion ends May 31.

Fly Buys

Collect 5000 bonus Fly Buys points when purchasing specific AutoCad Product Codes: C7856 & E1065 from Harris Technology. Offer ends May 31.

Rent a Budget car for three days or more and collect 1000 bonus Fly Buys points for each consecutive three days plus one point per dollar spent. Offer ends June 30.

Purchase a straight dozen of Liquorland's order builder special along with any other case from its solo offer and collect 1000 bonus Fly Buys points. Offer ends May 29.

 

 

� THE AUSTRALIAN FREQUENT FLYER, 2002