4 Months In

[Mattg]

You cannot book the Residence using Velocity or Etihad Guest Points, you can however book Etihad's First Apartment

You're quite right, my mistake. Apartments are still a pretty amazing product though.

 

[leadlegs]

I've done something similar and have added about 180000 Qantas points to my total. I decided last Friday to cancel a few of my cards that I wasn't using, and when I rang the DJ's Amex line to cancel they asked if 30000 points would change my mind. Of course it did. That's transferred as 22500 Qantas points.

 

[astrokid]

No big secret, just the culmination of making every spend count - and always choosing points over convenience.

I have applied for the amex velocity for myself and my hubby (getting the bonus too); plus DJ Amex; plus Citibank; plus CBA CC. That was a lot of points. The DJ Amex is a great earner for groceries and petrol (2.25 points per $1).
Plus I have been doing surveys; using the Qantas Cash Card for bonuses; booking restaurants and hotels through the Qantas portal; and pushing everyday spending through the Citibank card (school fees $$$, power, water, medical, dental/orthodontist, insurance, rates, rego, Telstra via paypal). I also use the velocity and Qantas portal (then I can get attractive points from both the portal and using the rewarding credit card) - for Ebay, book depository, and a lot of other shops...Velocity has 240+. When we travel, I also joined Starwood and Club Carlson (based on the hotels we were staying at for that trip). I also collected bonuses from the hotel clubs for small adaptions. I also collect points on hire cars. Plus, we changed to petrol from BP for Velocity. I have discovered that there is a way to get points for pretty much every transaction. I particularly like getting 2 lots of points (from credit card, and separately for the transaction).

I have also taken advantage of the points earning from some of the credit cards I got. (due to the quantity of credit cards, I have to write it all down to remember which card is 'best' for which transaction). For example, I can get 3 points per $1 buying at Mcdonalds or KFC (or a restaurant). I can get 2.6 points per $1 on overseas transactions. I can get 2 points per $1 for accommodation (plus those from using the portal). Hubby has to ring me, to ask which credit card to use when he buys something.

I have also made mistakes - and have learnt from them. (lots of mistakes)

Plus, we got some points for 4 people to Europe return, and some domestic flights in Europe and Australia.

Yes - it has been effort. I think that it will be worth it though, we have never flown anything other than economy. Can't wait!

Hello! And thank you for your tips!
Which credit card do you have that offers 2.6 points per dollar on overseas transactions?

Thank you!

 

[RWJ777]

Our goal is to try business class for long-haul. Hubby not keen to 'waste' points on upgrading our kids on any flights though - although I have pointed out that if it can be achieved for the same price as economy (Aadvantage or Alaskan) it would be mean not to. Happy to sit in economy for domestic trips.

Hubby must not be an Aussie politician then whose kids seemingly cannot fly at the back ... with the 'other common children'!

 

[Champo]

KCoulsen must be the last of the big spenders

 

[get me outta here]

The email said "half a million".

Who got the million points? or was the email I got (Our Frequent Flyer Millionaire!) from Australian Frequent Flyer Gazette, nothing but click bait?

 

[rainbowgirl]

The email said "half a million".

The headline in the email said "millionaire" but the article said "half a million", thus the click bait discussion.

 

[kcoulson]

Which credit card do you have that offers 2.6 points per dollar on overseas transactions?

The Citibank Signature gets 2.6 points (Velocity or Krisflyer NOT Qantas) per $1 on overseas transactions. There are also fees (unlike some products with Bankwest and 28 Degrees).

 

[Hammando]

No big secret, just the culmination of making every spend count - and always choosing points over convenience.

I have applied for the amex velocity for myself and my hubby (getting the bonus too); plus DJ Amex; plus Citibank; plus CBA CC. That was a lot of points. The DJ Amex is a great earner for groceries and petrol (2.25 points per $1).
Plus I have been doing surveys; using the Qantas Cash Card for bonuses; booking restaurants and hotels through the Qantas portal; and pushing everyday spending through the Citibank card (school fees $$$, power, water, medical, dental/orthodontist, insurance, rates, rego, Telstra via paypal). I also use the velocity and Qantas portal (then I can get attractive points from both the portal and using the rewarding credit card) - for Ebay, book depository, and a lot of other shops...Velocity has 240+. When we travel, I also joined Starwood and Club Carlson (based on the hotels we were staying at for that trip). I also collected bonuses from the hotel clubs for small adaptions. I also collect points on hire cars. Plus, we changed to petrol from BP for Velocity. I have discovered that there is a way to get points for pretty much every transaction. I particularly like getting 2 lots of points (from credit card, and separately for the transaction).

I have also taken advantage of the points earning from some of the credit cards I got. (due to the quantity of credit cards, I have to write it all down to remember which card is 'best' for which transaction). For example, I can get 3 points per $1 buying at Mcdonalds or KFC (or a restaurant). I can get 2.6 points per $1 on overseas transactions. I can get 2 points per $1 for accommodation (plus those from using the portal). Hubby has to ring me, to ask which credit card to use when he buys something.

I have also made mistakes - and have learnt from them. (lots of mistakes)

Plus, we got some points for 4 people to Europe return, and some domestic flights in Europe and Australia.

Yes - it has been effort. I think that it will be worth it though, we have never flown anything other than economy. Can't wait!

Love this post!
Love this site!

 

[davel]

Which credit card do you have that offers 2.6 points per dollar on overseas transactions?

The Citibank Signature gets 2.6 points (Velocity or Krisflyer NOT Qantas) per $1 on overseas transactions. There are also fees (unlike some products with Bankwest and 28 Degrees).

That's the next card I'll apply for. My credit rating has taken a few hits lately so I'll have to wait a few months or wait for the next big signup bonus.

 

[Jo145]

I'm curious - when you say "credit card churning", does this mean you apply (and receive) a card and then after X amount of time cancel it? I don't have a large income so even putting the majority of my spending on a c/c it only brings me about 50,000 points/year. But if I can get the sign-on points and not lose them by cancelling the card later it would be great!!

 

[kcoulson]

Yes, that is correct. I only cancel the cards that aren't attractive (with low earn rates and after using all the benefits) though. Some cards are worthwhile keeping - others get cancelled once the points have posted.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I just wish that I could convince others in our immediate family to jump onboard - I have offered to buy them supermarket vouchers at 5% off and it would be win/win.

I get the credit card points, and they get a discount. Most people are a bit lazy though, and can't be bothered!

There will always be family or friends in the "yeah, nah she's all too hard I'll just book through Flight Centre" category.

These people are envious of the travelling in J part but aren't prepared to put in any effort like you have but still begrudge the fact they don't travel in anything but whY.

Don't waste too much of your precious time on these people as you'll be flogging a dead horse.

Congratulations on the terrific progress you've made with your points accumulation.

I look forward to hearing about your trips in the pointy end.

 

[smit0847]

There will always be family or friends in the "yeah, nah she's all too hard I'll just book through Flight Centre" category.

These people are envious of the travelling in J part but aren't prepared to put in any effort like you have but still begrudge the fact they don't travel in anything but whY.

Don't waste too much of your precious time on these people as you'll be flogging a dead horse.

Congratulations on the terrific progress you've made with your points accumulation.

I look forward to hearing about your trips in the pointy end.

This x 100. Dont waste time with people who would rather complain about a problem than solve it.

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

No big secret, just the culmination of making every spend count - and always choosing points over convenience.

I have applied for the amex velocity for myself and my hubby (getting the bonus too); plus DJ Amex; plus Citibank; plus CBA CC. That was a lot of points. The DJ Amex is a great earner for groceries and petrol (2.25 points per $1).
Plus I have been doing surveys; using the Qantas Cash Card for bonuses; booking restaurants and hotels through the Qantas portal; and pushing everyday spending through the Citibank card (school fees $$$, power, water, medical, dental/orthodontist, insurance, rates, rego, Telstra via paypal). I also use the velocity and Qantas portal (then I can get attractive points from both the portal and using the rewarding credit card) - for Ebay, book depository, and a lot of other shops...Velocity has 240+. When we travel, I also joined Starwood and Club Carlson (based on the hotels we were staying at for that trip). I also collected bonuses from the hotel clubs for small adaptions. I also collect points on hire cars. Plus, we changed to petrol from BP for Velocity. I have discovered that there is a way to get points for pretty much every transaction. I particularly like getting 2 lots of points (from credit card, and separately for the transaction).

I have also taken advantage of the points earning from some of the credit cards I got. (due to the quantity of credit cards, I have to write it all down to remember which card is 'best' for which transaction). For example, I can get 3 points per $1 buying at Mcdonalds or KFC (or a restaurant). I can get 2.6 points per $1 on overseas transactions. I can get 2 points per $1 for accommodation (plus those from using the portal). Hubby has to ring me, to ask which credit card to use when he buys something.

I have also made mistakes - and have learnt from them. (lots of mistakes)

Plus, we got some points for 4 people to Europe return, and some domestic flights in Europe and Australia.

Yes - it has been effort. I think that it will be worth it though, we have never flown anything other than economy. Can't wait!

Before you become too infected by the "Frequent Flyer Point Earning" disease I trust you are discovering that there is no cure known to mankind to stop you becoming consumed by the daily urge to get more and more points by more and more convoluted means. The main sign is when your friends all groan when you tell them how you do it and the say "doh" or "too hard for me". HOWEVER we of the faith will all keep the secret and will keep on trying to amass them for as long as we can until the rest of the populance wake up and realise how stupid they are for not worrying about earning points

 

[celetrum]

No big secret, just the culmination of making every spend count - and always choosing points over convenience.

I have applied for the amex velocity for myself and my hubby (getting the bonus too); plus DJ Amex; plus Citibank; plus CBA CC. That was a lot of points. The DJ Amex is a great earner for groceries and petrol (2.25 points per $1).
Plus I have been doing surveys; using the Qantas Cash Card for bonuses; booking restaurants and hotels through the Qantas portal; and pushing everyday spending through the Citibank card (school fees $$$, power, water, medical, dental/orthodontist, insurance, rates, rego, Telstra via paypal). I also use the velocity and Qantas portal (then I can get attractive points from both the portal and using the rewarding credit card) - for Ebay, book depository, and a lot of other shops...Velocity has 240+. When we travel, I also joined Starwood and Club Carlson (based on the hotels we were staying at for that trip). I also collected bonuses from the hotel clubs for small adaptions. I also collect points on hire cars. Plus, we changed to petrol from BP for Velocity. I have discovered that there is a way to get points for pretty much every transaction. I particularly like getting 2 lots of points (from credit card, and separately for the transaction).

I have also taken advantage of the points earning from some of the credit cards I got. (due to the quantity of credit cards, I have to write it all down to remember which card is 'best' for which transaction). For example, I can get 3 points per $1 buying at Mcdonalds or KFC (or a restaurant). I can get 2.6 points per $1 on overseas transactions. I can get 2 points per $1 for accommodation (plus those from using the portal). Hubby has to ring me, to ask which credit card to use when he buys something.

I have also made mistakes - and have learnt from them. (lots of mistakes)

Plus, we got some points for 4 people to Europe return, and some domestic flights in Europe and Australia.

Yes - it has been effort. I think that it will be worth it though, we have never flown anything other than economy. Can't wait!

Great inspiration for a lot of us newbies! Its amazing how quickly you change to "points" mentality side of things. We are only focusing on one program (Virgin) and not Qantas. Due to some bad runs when I was unemployed for a while my credit rating is shot but luckily the wifes is great!

So so far we have (in the space of the last couple of weeks)

Amex Platinum Velocity (With 110K sign up when spent $1K).
Virgin Money Velocity Flyer Visa (went the normal instead of platinum because of less fees - 1 platinum enough for us!). 10K sign on bonus after first purchase and then a further 10K bonus if spend 5K within three months of sign up. We took up a Visa to cover bills / items where Amex isn't accepted so the points was an added bonus!

Between the two cards we have been given on top of the sign up points:

1 Free return trip to pretty much eastern seaboard locations on Virgin (direct flight) through Amex
4 segments of Two For One on Saver Fares through Virgin Velocity Flyer
2 free entries to Virgin Lounge (Amex)

If my own credit rating wasn't shot we could of doubled the deal!
Once the cards arrive the transfers start happening for all our bills going from direct debit from bank account into the relevant credit card (with preference for Amex except some utilities where the earn is higher on Velocity Flyer Visa). Added benefit is we make use of our mortgage offset as well much better

Like you, on way to and from work has become survey time (hey it passes the time on the train!), fuel has moved to BP (which happens to be the nearest one to our house anyway!). And also making of the velocity E-Store as well now!

We decided to focus on Virgin for two reasons.

1) I have always admired Richard Branson and the way he started his empire!
2) I cannot stand Qantas for some reason. I have only ever flown them once but didn't like the experience. But more importantly I just don't like the "Iconic" brand on most things. I hate Telstra and I hate Qantas! LOL

Don't think we will accrue as much as you guys but we have a start on the way to points. (We too focusing on accrual right now and not thinking about redemptions yet!)

 

[kcoulson]

Looks like an impressive effort to me - you are always going to achieve more than the person that does ziltch! Keep up the good work. There are a lot of opportunities and things to learn in the FF arena.

 

[ellen10]

Hi Everyone,
I have only been bitten by the 'frequent flyer collecting bug' for 4 months - and I just cannot believe the great progress. Thanks to focus (credit card applications and spending, shopping portals, joining hotel clubs before staying, some economy flights) but not altering any spending patterns - the results at the end of 4 months are unbelievable.
I will have over 250k Qantas, will have 280k velocity soon (thanks Amex), have purchased the max of Aadvantage, and are about to focus on Krisflyer (not sure about Alaskan). I just wish that I had started sooner! At this stage I am focused on the 'collecting' not the practical aspects of 'redeeming'.
This is a great site, that I find very addictive - and invaluable for tips. Thanks Everyone!

Well done, great work!

 

[davel]

There will always be family or friends in the "yeah, nah she's all too hard I'll just book through Flight Centre" category.

These people are envious of the travelling in J part but aren't prepared to put in any effort like you have but still begrudge the fact they don't travel in anything but whY.

Don't waste too much of your precious time on these people as you'll be flogging a dead horse.

Congratulations on the terrific progress you've made with your points accumulation.

I look forward to hearing about your trips in the pointy end.

I thought I was just not making a strong enough argument to support my case but looks like it's just their loss!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Another few things to do is try and plan at least one trip at a time eg sometimes fares ex another country will be cheaper eg SIN/BNE/SIN may at times be cheaper than BNE/SIN/BNE. If you travel to a particular city several times each year you may find it beneficial to initially position eg BNE/SIN on a one way award ticket (no penalty for booking one way) or alternatively book a LCC that doesn't charge ridiculously high one way fares eg Scoot OOL/SIN or JQi ex Aust to SIN or DPS etc then buy return fares Asia/Aust/Asia.

That way the first sector of the ticket ex Asia becomes your 'return' flight to Australia on your first trip then the second sector would be your outbound flight of your next trip to Asia. Keep in mind that you need to know the dates of travel for your second sector from Aust back to Asia to avoid change fees at a later date if the initial date booked doesn't suit.

Do a practice run of making an award booking or commercial ahead of time to familiarise yourself with the procedure so you know what info you need eg persons name should match exactly what's in the passport, passport numbers and expiry dates, credit card number with expiry date plus CVV number. Nothing more annoying than trying to do a booking only to not have all that info handy or being able to contact the person who does.