Loyalty Program

Loyalty Program is a popular topic at the Australian Frequent Flyer. All frequent flyer programs are essentially loyalty programs. But there are other non-airline loyalty programs, such as the loyalty programs associated with hotels.

How to Earn Points for Paying Tax & Other Bills in 2020

Book Hotels Direct or via Third Party?

When booking accommodation, you have the option to book hotels direct or to use a third-party website like Expedia or Booking.com. If you book directly with the hotel, you can earn points and status with the hotel’s loyalty program. But you won’t receive any hotel benefits if you book with a third party. So, is … Continued

Air Namibia A319

Earning Points with Obscure Airlines

If you’re a loyal Oneworld, Star Alliance or SkyTeam flyer, you probably try to fly with airlines from your alliance at every opportunity. But, as great as airline alliances and partnerships are, they don’t cover every corner of the globe. When travelling overseas, you’ll occasionally need to fly with obscure airlines that aren’t part of … Continued

19 May 2018 Other Airlines

How the SPG-Marriott Rewards Merger Affects Australians

After much speculation, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) and Marriott Rewards have announced details of their new combined loyalty program. Starwood and Marriott hotels merged back in 2016, but their respective loyalty programs have remained separate… until now. The SPG, Marriott Rewards and also Ritz-Carlton Rewards programs will become a single loyalty program from 1 August … Continued

18 Apr 2018 Marriott Bonvoy
Qantas Boeing 737-800 at Auckland Airport

Air New Zealand Ditches Virgin Australia Alliance

Air New Zealand has terminated its trans-Tasman alliance with Virgin Australia. The surprise announcement marks the end of an 8-year partnership between the Kiwi carrier and Virgin Australia. Air New Zealand’s alliance with Virgin Australia will end on 28 October 2018. From this date, Virgin Australia customers will no longer be able to book Air … Continued

shocked women at computer

The Great Qantas Frequent Flyer Rip-Off

Millions of Australians are Qantas Frequent Flyer members. We collect Qantas points in the hope of one day redeeming them for a free flight. Unfortunately, Qantas Classic Flight Rewards are not as rewarding as the name might suggest. When redeeming points for reward flights, airport & government taxes must be paid in addition to the … Continued

29 Mar 2018 Qantas
Virgin Australia 737 at SYD

Velocity Points for Recycling: A Waste of Time

Thanks to a new partnership between Virgin Australia and Envirobank, it’s now possible to earn Velocity points for recycling bottles. Sadly, the miserly rewards on offer are not worth the time and hassle involved. For every bottle recycled, members of Envirobank’s Crunch program earn 15 “crunch credits”. These credits can be converted to 5 Velocity … Continued

26 Mar 2018 Virgin Australia
Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 at Brisbane Airport

1,000 Bonus KrisFlyer Miles for New Members

If you’re not already a member of the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program, now is a great time to join! Singapore Airlines is currently offering 1,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles to new members who sign up by 31 March, 2018. The program is free to join. The 1,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles will take 4 to 6 weeks … Continued

Close up view of man and woman pointing at places on world map. Woman noting vacation plan in a diary.

The Most Valuable Tips & Tricks on AFF

The Australian Frequent Flyer forum is full of useful tips, tricks and travel-related advice! This week our members share the best advice that they have received on AFF. Numerous members have nominated the “Qantas T-80” trick as one of the most useful pieces of advice they’ve discovered on AFF. This trick allows anyone to pick … Continued

22 Feb 2018 Travel Lifestyle
Air New Zealand A320

How to Use Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars

Airpoints, Air New Zealand’s frequent flyer program, is not frequently discussed on our forums. There’s a good reason for this; it’s one of the world’s worst value frequent flyer programs! Nonetheless, AFF member Cappuccino99 is seeking advice this week on how to spend over 1,000 Airpoints Dollars. When I lived in NZ, I travelled a … Continued

22 Feb 2018 Air New Zealand
Bill shock resort fees surprise restaurant

Avianca LifeMiles to expire after just 12 months

Avianca LifeMiles will soon expire after just one year. As of 15 April 2018, Avianca LifeMiles expire if no new miles are earned for 12 months. Redeeming miles will no longer extend the validity of miles in the account. What’s more, Avianca will no longer inform members before their LifeMiles expire! In our view, Avianca’s … Continued

17 Feb 2018 Avianca
Qantas First Lounge, Sydney

Should Qantas Introduce Lifetime Platinum Status?

Qantas is one of several Oneworld airlines to offer lifetime status. Recognising continuing customer loyalty over many years, Qantas offers lifetime Silver and Gold status to frequent flyers that earn 7,000 or 14,000 lifetime status credits, respectively. But Qantas has never offered a Lifetime Platinum tier. This week our members discuss the possibility of a … Continued

15 Feb 2018 Qantas
Ibis and Pullman hotels at Brisbane Airport

New Pullman Brisbane Airport Hotel

Accor has recently opened two new hotels at Brisbane Airport. The Pullman Brisbane Airport Hotel and neighbouring Ibis Hotel are conveniently located across the road from Brisbane’s domestic terminal, a short walk from the domestic airport railway station. The new hotels are a welcome addition to Brisbane Airport. Previously, the closest hotel to Brisbane Airport … Continued

25 Jan 2018 Hotel Reviews