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As reported in our Frequent Flyer Club, Air New Zealand has done a spring cleanout of its AirPoints program. The new version will be launched on November 1. We know that many of our readers are members of this program, so today we take a closer look at the new scheme. Sustainability The AirPoints spin-doctors are hailing the new program as the airline's commitment to sustainability and long-term vision. It's an interesting take considering the looming first-year anniversary of the collapse of its stable mate Ansett. But you won't find any incentives directed specifically at the old Ansett reward point holders here. Instead the new scheme is aimed at domestic travellers - the "most loyal customers - those who fly on a regular basis", according to the company. Qantas "Catch-up" In many ways the changes mirror those made by Qantas 12 months ago (such as minimum points earned per journey), but there are some additional features not available with Qantas, such as allowing point "top ups". Bums on seats At the launch of the new program, Air New Zealand's chief operating officer Andrew Miller made a commitment to keeping, on average, 15 percent of all seats open for AirPoints reward bookings. And he says earning and redeeming points had been simplified. We wonder when Qantas will be this forthright and clearly state how many Frequent Flyer seats they make available? A snap shot: * A minimum of 1,000 points will be earned on domestic, one-way journeys (2,000 points for returns) excluding the new Smart Saver fares. A flat 20,000 points will be required for any return domestic trip. * 500-point incentive for customers who book redemptions on line (as a comparison Qantas offers 1,000 bonus points for on-line bookings). * Top-ups allowing members with 80 percent of the points required for a destination to purchase AirPoints to reach the goal amount. For example a top up of 4,000 points to reach the minimum 20,000 points required for travel between NZ and east coast of Australia will cost $95NZ. * A big plus of the new system is the retention of points-for-kilometres formula, which is up to 60 percent richer than the miles-based system used by most international airlines, including Qantas which changed to miles last year. * One free stopover is permitted on Air New Zealand services. Additional en-route stopovers will cost you 10,000 points each.
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3. PROGRAM NEWS |
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Star treatment? Star Alliance, perhaps keen to keep former Ansett rewards customers in its fold is running a bonus points promotion for Aussie travelers using Star Alliance airlines departing from Australia. The promotion offers 5,000 bonus points for departures before the end of November. The alliance also offers a status match for Aussies who are elite-level members of non-Star Alliance frequent flyer programs and want equal status in a Star Alliance program. These include special travel privileges enjoyed by Star Alliance Gold and Silver members. The status match offer finishes at the end of September. Shop overseas Don't forget with the Qantas ANZ Visa card, you earn double points on purchasers made overseas. Needless to say it's best to use the card instead of cash when you travel. Also try and buy the big-ticket items, like video cameras, overseas to benefit from the double points offer. Eye spy Here's a handy tip from one of our readers. To get the most mileage from Qantas domestic travels, try using the "Red E-deals" section on the airline's website, and taking the least direct route. For example taking the Sydney to Perth route via Alice Springs will earn you more points and the price is usually no different to the most direct route, even though the trip will take longer. Fewer points Well done to those readers who spotted a reduction in Qantas frequent flyer points available for redemption from hotel stays and car rentals. The drop is fairly significant (from five points to three points per dollar spent in some cases). Triple A Club Our feature last month on the Triple A Club has generated some feedback through the bulletin board. Most readers seem to like the fact they can redeem some of their lost Ansett points, albeit on a condition of having to make new purchases. The biggest sticking points so far seem to be the limited number of program partners from whom the purchases can be made. Seat availability Don't forget, Qantas posts its latest award flight seat availability listings on its website.
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5. REWARDS AND SPECIALS FOR SEPTEMBER |
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Best Flights, Best Prices BestFlights are offering a generous discount of up to $75 per international ticket for Frequent Flyer Club members and their traveling companions. Full details are available on the special Members Area of the Club's website. Qantas discounts 1. Your companion can enjoy 50% off return Economy Class Award flights between Sydney and Cairns (or 15,000 points plus $42 in taxes). Valid when you book a full-rate Award flight or purchase a commercial ticket between September 15 and October 31. 2. Your companion can enjoy 50% off return Economy Class Award flights between Sydney/Melbourne and Brisbane (or 10,000 points plus between $30 and $36 in taxes). Offer is also available on connecting flights from within Australia and runs between September 15 and October 31. 3. You can enjoy 20% off Economy Class Award flights between Sydney and the Gold Coast and some connecting flights. Valid September 15 to October 31. Treat yourself Stay at any Rendezvous hotel in Australia or Singapore and you'll earn double Qantas Frequent Flyer points per room, per stay. Valid for bookings and stays until November 15. Fly Buy specials Collect 2000 bonus Fly Buys when you purchase a Toshiba Satellite Pro Notebook with the F1178 code from Harris Technology. Rent any Budget car for 4 days or more and get 500 bonus points plus two points per dollar spent. Valid until the end of October. Purchase three 700ml bottles from the James Busby Wine Range (James Busby Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Grenache, Merlot, Shiraz, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc & Unwooded Chardonnay) and collect 300 bonus Fly Buys points. Offer ends September 29. FINAL WORD Here's a beaut little joke from one of our discussion board members to end this month's Frequent Flyer Gazette (it got 122 views last time we checked!): Qantas have just announced they are replacing their entire frequent flyer program with a new simpler, lower to administer program. From now on frequent flyers will no longer collect points, just breadsticks. New redemption levels will include a Melb-Syd return for just 60 breadsticks (or 20 packets). Qantas spokesperson Justin Joking said "the new scheme will substantially reduce administration costs of our frequent flyer program, and at the same time reduce catering costs be reducing the number of breadsticks actually consumed by our passengers". Customers will only be able to redeem unopened packets, and Qantas is examining means to incorporate unopened Salsa, Hummus and Guacamole dips into the new program as well.
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� THE AUSTRALIAN FREQUENT FLYER,
2002 |