1. THE UPGRADE GAME
 

Free or cheap upgrades � we all want them, but there doesn�t seem to be any set rules on how to score them.

Many travellers seem to think asking the check-in person for an upgrade works. That may be true on some overseas airlines, but rarely down under. The market here, it seems, is too small.

Our discussion board was last month buzzing with ideas on how to get upgrades. We counted more than 800 messages, some with excellent ideas on the topic.

The bottom line is that in Australia, getting a last minute upgrade only works if you�re willing to give up something yourself, namely a few thousand frequent flyer points. Getting the check-in operators to bump you up sounds a bit like an urban myth � I�ve tried it many times and it never worked, other have told me the same story.

According to our discussion board regulars with many flight hours under their belts, to get an upgrade you must go through the Qantas Club and offer some award points in exchange.

Qantas Frequent Flyers can automatically apply for point or status upgrades within a set amount of time before the departure. Platinum or Gold members can do it up to a week before departure, while Silver and Bronze should give a three-week notice.

Staff � through Qantas Club � can do the last minute upgrades on request from Frequent Flyer members. If it looks like some seats won�t be sold, and there is no waiting list for upgrades, then they�ll sell you one (for points) before the flight.

If all else fails, put on your best smiling face and hope like hell the flight attendant likes the look of it. Be sure not to follow the example set in our joke of the month!!

2. PROGRAM NEWS
 

Stop robbing the banks

ANZ bank says it can no longer support a smart credit card market where clients spend up big to get reward points and then quickly pay off the debt, getting away interest-free. The bank has decided to cap its loyalty programs.

So what does this mean for the future of loyalty programs in Australia? It may well mark a turning point in the popularity of loyalty credit card schemes in general. After all, almost 1 million people have signed on with ANZ � their decision no doubt largely influenced by the dangling carrot of reward points.

But if accruing points on the ground is no longer as exciting an option as before, the essence of loyalty programs begins to fall out the window. Redeeming reward flights has been difficult enough. But now it seems accruing points on the ground is also going to get tough.

On the other hand, the bank�s move may just help clear up the backlog of frequent flyer points waiting to be redeemed. In the long-run this could help free up those precious and rare frequent flyer seats on planes.

Points on the house

While it may be getting increasing difficult to earn points with your credit card, you can always get bucket loads of points from your Mortgage.  Check out Mortgage Miles for more information.

Virgin�s poker face

Virgin Blue is keeping any news of a possible credit-card-linked rewards program close to its chest.

Despite continued speculation on whether the battlers� airline will launch a frequent-flyer program down under, Virgin�s head honchos would only say that Australia tops their list of possible credit card markets.

It did recently run a promotion offering discounted travel for those using its mobile phone service here. Testing the waters perhaps?

(Dis) Aadvantage

American Airlines has increased the number of miles needed to claim Aadvantage rewards. As a result, as of this month, some of the rewards are up to 25 per cent dearer to claim.

Aussie bummer

ANZ bank has missed out on claiming a hat trick as the world�s number one loyalty program credit card provider.

During this year�s Freddie Awards in Colorado � recognised as the frequent flyer industry�s Oscars � ANZ�s crown was snatched by Emirates Skywards Visa/MasterCard. ANZ won in the previous two years with its highly impressive program offered on the � now split � Qantas Telstra Visa Card.

More than 230,000 ballots were cast in the 15th annual Freddie Awards.
 

Hello to Brindabella

Brindabella Airlines has joined Qantas offering frequent flyers the opportunity to earn points and redeem award flights with the Canberra-based airline. Brindabella flights commenced between Canberra and Newcastle at the end of April, and will begin between Canberra and Wagga Wagga or Albury from May 12.

Go west

Western Australia�s regional airline, Skywest Airlines, has joined the Qantas Frequent Flyer program last month. You can now earn frequent flyer points and redeem award flights with the airline which flies between Perth and Albany, Carnarvon, Esperance, Exmouth, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Monkey Mia, Laverton, Leinster and Leonora.

Swiss connection

Qantas Frequent Flyers can now earn points on Swiss International Airlines between Frankfurt and Zurich.

Australian Airlines in Bali

Australian Airlines, the Qantas subsidiary, will begin regular flights to Bali from Melbourne and Sydney in July.

Although the airline doesn�t allow for Qantas frequent flyers to earn points on its flights, it does allow for award lights to be redeemed using its services.

End of the road

From May 21, Aeropelican will no longer be part of the Qantas award program. Frequent flyers will not be able to earn points or redeem flights using the service.

Grip on SARS

At the end of April, the outbreak of the SARS virus appeared to have been contained in most parts of Asia, according to the World Health Organisation.

The panic caused by the virus has forced many flights to be cancelled and passenger numbers have dropped radically. Singapore Airlines has been keeping its customers updated through its website. The airline has decided to waive all airline-related charges for customers who choose to cancel or defer their travel to Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, Vietnam and China up until May 31. Tickets must have been bought on or before April 1.

A refund for a partly used ticket will be determined by calculating the applicable fare for that part of the journey already undertaken and subtracting it from the fare paid.

More passengers please, we�re British

British Airways, one of the world�s biggest airlines, has last month released its passenger traffic figures. Joining a long list of suffering airline world-wide, BA announced a 23.8 per cent fall in premium traffic in March. It also admitted to another 9 per cent decrease in the number of discounted seats it sold.

4. REWARDS AND SPECIALS FOR MAY
 

Get points for staying in touch

Qantas is offering a $10,000 flight prize to the winner of its latest frequent flyer promotion. Just update your email details so the airline can send you updates and info and you�ll go into a draw to win $10,000 worth of flights anywhere on its network. The promotion ends May 31.

Good on-line deal

KrisFlyer is offering its members a 25% discount when they redeem round-trip award tickets on-line. The offer ends June 30 but you will have to pay for all taxes and charges and must pay by credit card.

1,000 points high

Book online with Air New Zealand and get up to 1,000 bonus points if you�re an Airpoints member. This offer also applies to each Airpoints member on the booking. The promotion ends on May 31.

Every bit helps

Air New Zealand is running a bonus offer, giving away 500 points to every Airpoints member who will update his or her membership details on-line. You�ve got to be fairly quick, the offer ends on May 15. Once they have your details, you�ll also get regular updates and bonus offers so it�s worth the effort.

US Airways doubles up

US Airways if offering double Dividend Miles on round-trip tickets on United to Europe or South America, Asia and the South Pacific. The offer ends July 31.

Fly Buys

Receive 500 bonus Fly Buys points when you purchase selected electronic products from Harris Technology. Offer ends May 31. Buy a Herron Osteoeze 60 pack from Bi-Lo and collect 40 Fly Buys bonus points. Terms and conditions apply.

Joke of the month

A flight attendant was stationed at the departure gate to check tickets. As a man approached, she extended her hand for the ticket, and he opened his trench coat and flashed her.

Without missing a beat she said, "Sir, I need to see your ticket, not your stub."