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 THE FREQUENT FLYER GAZETTE   ::   NOVEMBER 2001 Printer-friendly version
CONTENTS ::
 
1. Frequent Flyer Club
2. Reward Programs
3. Airline News
4. Promotions
 
Editors Note ::
 

Welcome to the November edition of the Frequent Flyer Gazette. This is my first edition as the new editor of the Gazette and I must say I�m looking forward to the challenge. A big thanks to my predecessor for doing such a great job. Larissa, thanks and enjoy your travels! 

With the collapse of Ansett, and the subsequent rise of Ansett Mark II (albeit with a hand up from the government) the upcoming summer is proving to be an interesting time for passenger aviation in Australia. No word yet on the future of Ansett Global Rewards but the program�s members haven�t been entirely forgotten either. Read on for details.

Also in this issue, the launch of the much-awaited Frequent Flyer Club, airline shake-up spells cheap flights and more choice for domestic travellers, and Virgin Blue takes on the flying kangaroo for the race across the Nullarbor.

And now the news..

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1. THE FREQUENT FLYER CLUB
 

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Those of you who are serious about getting the most of your Frequent Flyer membership should take a look at www.frequentflyerclub.com.au. This is our new premium service that has just been released. The features of this unique service include:

Frequent Flyer "Health Check"
Are you doing the right things to get the most points? Frequent flyer programs are designed to be complex. The airlines would rather you didn't know all the intricacies - that way they can count on your unquestioning patronage. We know all the tricks of the trade, and can check to make sure that you are maximising the value of your membership.  Read more here.

Unlimited support
What is the best way to earn those extra points needed for that planned trip? Is your Singapore ticket, booked with Ansett Global Reward points worthless? Who can you speak to about missing points? ... In these uncertain times, you are sure to have heaps of questions. Get them answered by our experts.

Exclusive content
Remember reading about that "Double Points" to Singapore offer? Search our database for all frequent flyer "Specials" currently being promoted.

Discounted products and services
Get BIG savings on travel services and products: like 20% discount on travel insurance, 20% discount on our award booking service, and 50% off PocketMiles.

The cost of this service is just $34.95 per year. This can be easily recouped - for example, our 30 day travel insurance to the USA is $120 - almost $100 less than most comparable policies!

We are very excited about our new Club and trust you will find it a valuable resource.  Get more details at www.frequentflyerclub.com.au.

 


2. THE REWARD PROGRAMS' LOWDOWN
 

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Protecting your points

The collapse of Ansett has prompted many frequent flyers to think about how best to protect their precious points. One way to do this is to spread your points between airlines which partner your frequent flyer program.

For example, by booking reward flights through Qantas Frequent Flyer partner airlines a year in advance, you can minimise the risk of losing those points should the Qantas program falter during the year.

Twelve months down the track you can cancel the bookings, retrieve the points and use them for Qantas reward flights. Of course, you will lose some points by incurring a cancellation penalty but at least you're not putting all your points in one basket.

Ansett Global Rewards still in doubt

Ansett is still unable to honour its Global Reward points. Global Reward points are not transferable and therefore cannot be booked through other airlines, including the Star Alliance Partners.

Ansett administrators are still discussing the future of Global Rewards. They are also considering plans to give Ansett Global Reward members and Golden Wing customers shares in the new airline. One suggestion would see the 2.6million Global Rewards frequent flyer members and 1.6 million Golden Wing members swap their points for shares in Ansett Mark II. For now though, the administrators are taking the "back to basics" approach and any talk of point redemption will have to wait.

For those of you who haven't yet completed our "Call to Action" questionnaire, please do so. The more responses we get, the better our negotiating position.

New Diners program (and new charges)

Diners Club has been quick to replace its Ansett reward program with a new, multi-airline scheme that includes Qantas. Qantas Frequent Flyer members can now earn one reward point for each dollar spent on Diners Club. The points can be redeemed for Qantas fares and services, including accommodation, car hire and holidays.

We believe that Diners customers will be significantly worse off:

  • There is a $82.50 charge for joining the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. Even though this has been reduced to $50 for Diners customers, it's still too much. Ansett Global Rewards was free!

  • There is now a $22 charge just to be a member of the Diners reward program. This has been wavered for the 1st year, but is more than it was previously. The old program was free!

  • You now get only one Qantas point per Diners dollar. This is a third less than the old program.

Qantas is looking to sign a similar deal with old Ansett Global Rewards partner Westpac Bank. Lets hope that consumers get a better deal!   STOP PRESS:  As I write, I hear that Westpac have just announced their new program.  As expected they will be partnering with Qantas.  What is unexpected is that they appear to be offering 1.5 points for each dollar spent (until the end of the year).  As yet, there is nothing on their website, but stay tuned for details.

United's free miles offer

Earn 1,000 Mileage Plus bonus miles when you buy an air ticket through their website. Offer ends December 31, 2001. First time buyers get an extra 1,000 bonus miles while Premier, Premier Executive and Premier 1K Mileage Plus members receive 3,000 bonus miles the first time they buy flights through the website.

You can also save 15,000 points when you redeem points with United. Spend 35,000 instead of 50,000 points when you book an award flight between North America and Europe with United before 31 March 2002.

More miles with Singapore and Malaysian Airlines

Both these airlines are trying to woo Global Reward members and are offering some excellent deals. Check out their websites for more.

 


3. AIRLINE NEWS
 
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Cheap Seats

Qantas is hoping to appeal to price wary customers, issuing one million discounted seats on domestic flights. The offer's valid until December 22, 2001. The airline is putting together a fleet of 40 economy-class-only aircraft in an effort to boost the local market.

Airline competition hasn't been this good for a long time in Australia. Qantas, Virgin Blue and Ansett Mark II will battle it out over the western sky from December. Qantas is releasing discounted airfares between Perth and the eastern states, as Virgin Blue prepares to fly across the Nullarbor from December 9. Virgin's tickets between Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth start at around $180 one way (taxes included).

Meanwhile Qantas is offering one-way fares to Perth from just over $230 (taxes included). So now is probably the best time to book flights.

Tight Security

As we reported in the last gazette, security at national airports has been tightened up. Scrutiny by airport staff has resulted in earlier check in times. Domestic customer used to checking in half an hour before flight departure are now being asked to report at the airport an hour before their flight is due to leave. Check-in times are proportionally earlier for international travellers.

Tax Hikes

New taxes on airline tickets, imposed after recent security fears and the collapse of Ansett, have had a significant impact on the cost of airfares, with ticket prices rising by up to 40%. The new fees will cover increased security and insurance costs, in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. A special "Ansett tax" will pay for entitlements owed to Ansett workers. To top it off GST will need to be paid on those additional taxes already included in the price of tickets. This will mainly impact on domestic customers.

Lounge opens

Ansett is providing limited lounge services to its Golden Wing Club members in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth from Friday, October 26. The reopening is in response to feedback from more than 65 key corporate clients around the country and aims to provide a scaled down version of the former services. Private meeting rooms can be booked and flight check-ins can be made at the reception of each lounge. PCs will be available at selected ports but without Internet access.

SMS Updates

Qantas customers will soon be able to use a new SMS service to stay on top of any flight departure time changes. You need register with Qantas to receive Qantas Flight Update SMS messages for most Qantas flights. The service will be available from 12 November 2001.

Solomon Airlines suspended

CASA says it has suspended Solomon Airlines until an investigation of safety breaches by the airline is completed. "CASA has found a range of safety problems with the operations of Solomon Airlines which could place at risk the safe operations of passenger carrying flights," a CASA statement said.

    


4. REWARDS AND SPECIALS FOR NOVEMBER
 
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Fly Free with Virgin

Virgin is promoting its free flight offer, for users of the Virgin Mobiles phone network. Under the plan, customers who spend $50 or more in calls or SMS in each of the first three months of their contract will get a $150 voucher to fly Virgin Blue. The Vouchers can be used towards flights between February 1 and June 30, 2002 and they must be booked by May 30th 2002. Offer applies to all customer connected to Virgin Mobile by October 31, 2001.

Qantas Frequent Flyer

Qantas is offering 50% off on award bookings for companions, on flights between Australia and Bangkok or Singapore. The deal is valid in Economy Class when you make a full-rate Award booking, travelling together in the same class, until 31 November 2001. Members of the Frequent Flyer Club can search for all such frequent flyer specials on an exclusive database.

If you're booking with Qantas on-line before 31 December 2001, you will earn extra 1000 Frequent Flyer points for each flight booking (except red e-deals and holiday packages). Also, until 31 March 2002, by booking flight Awards online Bronze Frequent Flyer members will avoid the late booking fee.

New flights for Ansett

Ansett has launched a new schedule for flights between Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide, and Adelaide and Perth. Direct daily services between Melbourne and Brisbane have also been launched. The new schedule starts November 2.

Twice daily direct return services between Melbourne and Brisbane start on November 7. Two return services per day will operate between Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and Brisbane; and one return flight will operate between Adelaide and Perth. "Kick-Start" fares between Melbourne and Hobart start from $88 one-way. Fares between Adelaide and Melbourne also start from $88 one-way. Return fares between Perth and Adelaide start from $396. These prices do not include full taxes.

Fly Buys

Car Rental Bonus
Rent a Vehicle for 4 days or more and get 1000 bonus points plus 1 point per $1 spend. Valid on all cars and light commercial vehicles booked on line. Offer ends January 31, 2002

Auto Care
Member to collect 2000 bonus points for spending between $400+ on Auto Care work. Offer ends December 31, 2001

Gift hamper
Collect 1000 bonus points with every Connoisseur Gift Hamper purchased. Offer ends January 6, 2002.

    

 

� THE AUSTRALIAN FREQUENT FLYER, 2001