Beginner Question: How to start earning miles ?

[harvyk]

The best points program to join imho is the one that means you don't change one thing about how you travel and how you spend. Look at which airlines you think you'd fly anyway, and join their program. This is why I joined QFF, as it meant I started getting rewards, for doing nothing different than what I'd otherwise be doing.

 

[Daniel 1982]

The best points program to join imho is the one that means you don't change one thing about how you travel and how you spend. Look at which airlines you think you'd fly anyway, and join their program. This is why I joined QFF, as it meant I started getting rewards, for doing nothing different than what I'd otherwise be doing.

Yeah thanks, that a reasonable approach to me in terms of not spending more than I would normally do. What I have in mind sometimes is the following: I read that it can be beneficial to earn miles wihtin one program (for example AAdvantage) but then fly with a partner airline in the same alliance. Why should this be beneficial? Is this a general rule that FFs follow?

 

[harvyk]

Yeah thanks, that a reasonable approach to me in terms of not spending more than I would normally do. What I have in mind sometimes is the following: I read that it can be beneficial to earn miles wihtin one program (for example AAdvantage) but then fly with a partner airline in the same alliance. Why should this be beneficial? Is this a general rule that FFs follow?

Quite a few airlines have a minimum number of segments per year which you must do before they will call you a FF. I'm not sure if AA does this but I do know that QF does, you must do 4 segments on QF flight numbers (and maybe QF metal as well, don't remember for sure, but then again never been a problem for me) per year otherwise you won't remain as a QFF.

So again as part of deciding which loyalty program to join, keep in mind that each one may have minimum requirements. If however you satisfy the minimum requirements for either then look at which one gives a better earn / burn rate of points. Keep in mind that even if AA does give a better rate on earn / burn, you'll most likely need to fly on some AA flights or codeshares. I do know of one member who once had to do SYD-CBR vv on AA codeshares something like 8 times in 2 days to keep things happy. So keep in mind that if you do not normally fly AA or on it's codeshares you may find yourself having to do status runs to remain within the T&C's.

 

[nuxie1]

Quite a few airlines have a minimum number of segments per year which you must do before they will call you a FF. I'm not sure if AA does this but I do know that QF does, you must do 4 segments on QF flight numbers (and maybe QF metal as well, don't remember for sure, but then again never been a problem for me) per year otherwise you won't remain as a QFF.

That is just to gain/maintain status though, not to keep the frequent flyer account open. Some people hardly ever fly and just earn points on credit cards etc.

 

[orangehenry]

Hello everyone,

I am new to Travel Hacking and I am desperately trying to find out how to start.
As far as I understood I should sign up for an Awardsprogram with one of the Big alliances (I signed up for American Airlines within the OneWorld alliance).
The second step is to get a credit card ( I am trying my luck since I am a student and I don't have enough income for most cards ) that allows me to transfre my points to the Awards program that I signed up for. The points I can earn from bonuses and expenses with the card.
The third step would be to use my points and fly with a partner airline that is part of the OneWorld alliance( I read on Chris Guillebeaus Travel Hacking Page that is one of the main things in Travel hacking but I don't know why yet).

Which Award program do most people here sign up for? And which card is most popular in Australia for earning miles?

Thank you, I hope my questions do not imply that I am completely on the wrong track ,

Daniel

Assuming you see yourself using the QF network as your 'main' airline then I would recommend the AMEX QF Discovery card. $0 annual fee ensures you are not putting any money down to earn points (and free QFF membership if you are not one already). I'm a student and that's the card I'm using. Although it's worth having another strategy for retailers who charge an extra percent or two for the privilege of using AMEX (on a student budget paying extra to earn points makes no sense).

 

[RWJ777]

Assuming you see yourself using the QF network as your 'main' airline then I would recommend the AMEX QF Discovery card. $0 annual fee ensures you are not putting any money down to earn points (and free QFF membership if you are not one already). I'm a student and that's the card I'm using. Although it's worth having another strategy for retailers who charge an extra percent or two for the privilege of using AMEX (on a student budget paying extra to earn points makes no sense).

I'm far from bein a student but I'm going to look at that for myself! Thanks.

 

[Daniel 1982]

Assuming you see yourself using the QF network as your 'main' airline then I would recommend the AMEX QF Discovery card. $0 annual fee ensures you are not putting any money down to earn points (and free QFF membership if you are not one already). I'm a student and that's the card I'm using. Although it's worth having another strategy for retailers who charge an extra percent or two for the privilege of using AMEX (on a student budget paying extra to earn points makes no sense).

Thank you very much for the hint. I just received a letter today that I am not eligible for the Woolworths everyday reward card (maybe because too low income and just a international student visa instead of permanent residency...) so I will try my luck with the card you proposed

 

[asterix]

Thank you very much for the hint. I just received a letter today that I am not eligible for the Woolworths everyday reward card (maybe because too low income and just a international student visa instead of permanent residency...) so I will try my luck with the card you proposed

Just be careful not to apply for too many cards in a short period of time, otherwise you will get more rejections. Each credit application gets listed by Veda and whenever you apply for a new card the issuer will check Veda and see all the recent credit applications.

 

[Daniel 1982]

ok thanks asterix. i will keep that in mind

 

[Daniel 1982]

Hi All,

Thanks a lot for all your hints.
I come to the conclusion that as a student on a temporary visa it is pretty hard to earn miles through credit card bonuses and credit card spedning.

Are there any other ways to earn miles except flying and credit cards? (surveys is the only thing I can think of...)

an few hints on that would be much apreciated

Cheers,

Daniel

 

[asterix]

You can earn QFF points using the Woolworths Everyday Rewards card and earn QFF points by shopping/eating at other Qantas partners.

 

[Moopere]

I come to the conclusion that as a student on a temporary visa it is pretty hard to earn miles through credit card bonuses and credit card spedning.

Are there any other ways to earn miles except flying and credit cards? (surveys is the only thing I can think of...)

Yes, I can imagine the problem part here is the temporary visa.

Anyway, I'd have thought that the Woolies EDR card (not the credit card), the one used for Woolworths group retail (food, alcohol) would probably be a low but consistent earner.

 

[drewbles]

It's just as well you were declined for the 'Woolworths Everyday Money' card as this does *not* earn Frequent Flyer points, it earns everyday reward points. You would have had to apply for the Woolworths Qantas Credit Card, which earns at 1 point per dollar.

I suggest you start by looking at some of the Frequent Flyer Program pages on how to earn points from sources other than flying.

Qantas (Qantas Frequent Flyer): Frequent Flyer - Earning Points
Virgin Australia (Velocity Rewards): Earn Velocity Points | Velocity Frequent Flyer
American Airlines (AAdvantage): Earn Miles | Award Travel And Bonus Miles | AAdvantage | AA.com
Emirates (Skywards): Skywards: Earning Miles | Skywards | Emirates Australia

If you're basing yourself in Australia and flying domestically, i'd rule out Emirates as it's just not an effective program for domestic travellers.

Other programs are mainly international, but if you go to the homepages of the airlines, and look at the Frequent Flyer programs they have and 'Earn' options, you should see quite a few options. Most non-Australian airlines don't have many ways to earn points other than flying (be it their airline, alliance or other partners).

Your only real options for non-flying based earn in Australia are Qantas or Virgin. AAdvantage is by far the best program if you're USA based or if you fly a lot on mid-level priced QF air fares on distances over 500 miles (AAdvantage only credits a minimum of 500 miles vs QF's 1000, and excludes some deep-discount economy fare buckets on QF).

My other suggestion is spend a few hours digging around here for information in the Qantas and Virgin/Velocity forums. There's a wealth of information here that may also assist in your choice.

And as others have mentioned, only having a temporary student visa is going to pretty much exclude you from any credit card (and especially the 'premium' cards that earn most points; even the Woolworths Qantas Card is actually a 'Platinum' credit card).

Some banks used to offer an option to earn FF points on a debit card, but they have all ceased (and were a very very poor earn rate, and you had to pay a high annual fee to opt in to earn).

IMHO you'd be better off getting an ING Orange Everyday Visa Debit card, which pays you $0.50c every time you withdraw $200 via EFTPOS (say take $200 out when you do your shopping). It's not a reward in points, it's a reward in cash

 

[Daniel 1982]

Thanks very much guys...I will take a look at all the other options you told me