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Welcome to the May edition of The Australian Frequent Flyer Gazette. The Australian domestic airfare market will soon be hotting up with the introduction of the new budget airlines. These airlines won't be offering frequent flyer points, but will be providing some competition to Qantas and Ansett - hopefully resulting in cheaper airfares for all of us!

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You may have noticed in the media recently there's been an explosion of reports reviewing loyalty programs. The key to most of these reports was - not all programs suit all needs. Make sure that you are involved in whichever program suits your needs best. Follow these tips to put you on the road to Tahiti!

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If there is one area of medicine that is littered with old wive's tales, it's jet lag - and how to cure it. Some travellers have described jet lag as being worse than a hangover. The worst affected are usually business travellers, as they have no time to recover before they have to be at 'that meeting', or 'that interview'. Many people are now calling the condition jet stress, because there are many more symptoms than simple fatigue. Apart from dehydration caused by the stale airconditioning in the jet, jet lag can also lower your immunity levels, so you are more likely to pick up nasty bugs while on holiday.

There is a myriad of quick-fix solutions to jet lag, but the most effective ones usually depend on changing stimulus to your body to simulate a different time zone. This not only involves sleep, but light and food as well. The Wall Street Journal recently published an article claiming that light plays the most important role in adjusting your body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm. Some cures involve exposing yourself to a full day of sunlight when you land at your destination (e.g play a round of golf), gadgets such as sunglasses which beam light into your eyes, and Hotel Light Boxes - they beam light onto a travellers face for half an hour.

There are many jet lag diets available, but the research indicates that food doesn't really play a major impact in the body's recovery time. While eating all of the meals on a plane that are frequently served up to you may cause discomfort (your body and stomach are in a cramped position for an extended period of time), it is more important that you drink lots of water to remain hydrated. Air cabins are notoriously dry, and any alcohol you drink on a flight will affect you about three times as much as it would normally. So drink as much water as you can and avoid alcohol and drinks that contain caffeine.

For people who have severe jet lag, drugs are often looked at as a quick-fix solution. Melatonin is a hormone our body creates when light levels are low - it helps us to sleep. It has been manufactured artifically, and while it has not yet received official FDA approval, it has been hailed as a possible solution to cranky jet-setters! Melatonin is available at health food stores. Side effects have been known to include: nightmares, headaches, morning grogginess, mild depression and low sex drive. Please consult your doctor before taking any new drug.

The most important thing to remember is to prepare yourself for the flight. If possible, try and adjust your sleeping patterns before you get on the plane. Get as much exercise as you can while you are on the flight - walk up and down the aisles if you have to! Looking like a goose isn't important when you consider how much more comfortable you'll be when you land refreshed and ready for 'the big meeting!'

Not only are Global Rewards coming into line with the rest of the world and offering free membership, they are also giving members who fly with Ansett before 16th June the chance to win some of the following prizes:

• 21 years worth of business class flights (2 each) to each of the 21 cities to have hosted the Summer Olympic Games.

• 7 Ansett Olympic Games Packages (~$10,000)

• 230 pairs of tickets to Sydney 2000 Olympic Games events.

Many of the promotions are still continuing from last month, however some notable new bonus offers are:

1. If you are buying women's clothes, go to Myer or Kmart - Myer is offering 500 bonus points and Kmart is offering 200 bonus points if you spend over $100. However - if you spend over $125 dollars from the Myer Direct Winter Catalogue, you will get a whopping 1000 bonus points! Even sneakier - if you order from Primary Layers (Myer Direct's mail order brand) you will stack up 1000 bonus points every $100 you spend. It pays to do a little research before you shop.
2. Liquorland is offering varying bonus points if you buy Mum a drink for Mother's Day - 700ml bottle of Blairmhor 8yo Malt Whisky (100 points), 700ml bottle of Heather Mist Scotch Whisky (50 points), 700ml bottle of Old Lions Gin (50 points).
3. If Mum needs a break send her on a winter holiday at Best Western - spend between $500 and $999.95 and get 1000 bonus points.

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You have received this newsletter because you registered with The Australian Frequent Flyer.

The Australian Frequent Flyer is independently owned and is not affiliated with Ansett, Qantas or Fly Buys. While every effort has been made to ensure accurate information in this newsletter, it should be regarded as a guide only. You are advised to confirm all details before making any travel arrangements.

All information published in The Australian Frequent Flyer Gazette has been made available for public use. This information is freely available and subject to change without notice.