FF Question from a Newbie

[pgb123]

Hi, wish I'd found this site years ago then I'd not be in a mess maybe now :-(

I hope some of you can advise me on the best way to go, given these facts

• In Qantas Club and have about 300K Qantas points plus same in Amex
• Just joined Malaysian (emrich), Thai (Star) & Virgin Blue (all for free)
• I go MEL<->BOM about 4 to 6 times per year (& live in Melb)
• Mostly using QFF points but now I want to go via Bangkok and do stopovers each way
• MUCH prefer business class as long as it's on FF points
• I get easily about 200K points per year from AMEX and 2 x VISA cards
• Am planning a genuine round the world trip for about March or April
• I'm leaving today to BKK/TPE/BOM etc.

My key questions are:

• I want to always be able to use a business lounge at Bangkok & Mumbai (& everywhere if poss) but am not always with Qantas, so what should I do?
• I need another Credit Card as they all cap the FF points now, what card should I get that will give most Star Points?
• Should I join any other FF programs (like if I'm in Star via Thai, then do I still have to join every partner airline)

Any other good advise is welcome and I hope to become a contributor one day to this forum if/when I know enough to do so.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

Hi

Have a look at the CITIBANK card. Their rules say they "reserve" the right to limit points but somehow I think if the dollars are going through the card then they don't because I am sure that some CARD companies realise people have multiple cards to overcome the capping etc.

I have racked up around 100,000 points with CITIBANK in just over 12 months with no capping.

Go into the CITIBANK thread on this site and have a look for the link to the FEE FREE CARD. Yep that's what I've got. NO FEES EVER.

Good luck

 

[Reggie]

Hi

Have a look at the CITIBANK card. Their rules say they "reserve" the right to limit points but somehow I think if the dollars are going through the card then they don't because I am sure that some CARD companies realise people have multiple cards to overcome the capping etc.

I have racked up around 100,000 points with CITIBANK in just over 12 months with no capping.

Go into the CITIBANK thread on this site and have a look for the link to the FEE FREE CARD. Yep that's what I've got. NO FEES EVER.

Good luck

What they also reserve the right to do is to decrease your interest free days from 55 to 45 after 12 months of paying the balance off. They do enforce this, as I just copped it.

 

[oz_mark]

What they also reserve the right to do is to decrease your interest free days from 55 to 45 after 12 months of paying the balance off. They do enforce this, as I just copped it.

In my experience they won't negotiate on this either.

Also, there are people on this board that have had the caps enforced, while others haven't. I can only think they have some sort of calculation to determine who gets these rules enforced and who does not.

 

[Reggie]

In my experience they won't negotiate on this either.

Also, there are people on this board that have had the caps enforced, while others haven't. I can only think they have some sort of calculation to determine who gets these rules enforced and who does not.

I haven't had the points cap enforced just the reduction in interest free days.

 

[Sprucegoose]

The best way to get into lounges is via a loyalty card, if not flying premium. I am both PLATS (emerald) with One World and Gold with Star Alliance, and get in on all around the world, even if flying Y.

What you need to do is fly one airline until you reach the top tier, and pick the alliances based on your research.


Hope that helps

 

[oz_mark]

I haven't had the points cap enforced just the reduction in interest free days.

Mine was only the interest free days as well. I don't know how they determine which people cop this enforcement, as it is not across the board.

 

[pgb123]

The best way to get into lounges is via a loyalty card, if not flying premium. I am both PLATS (emerald) with One World and Gold with Star Alliance, and get in on all around the world, even if flying Y.

What you need to do is fly one airline until you reach the top tier, and pick the alliances based on your research.


Hope that helps

OK Awesome Sprucegoose, I'll work towards that.
And thanks guys for the citibank tip, I'll get one and try it.

Any other advise still welcome and Happy New Year to all the FF's here!

 

[littl_flier]

Like Sprucegoose, I would recommend to stick with one airline as much as possible. (but do have FF cards if you have to fly with another one) For most of the travel you've mentioned, QF do offer services. QF now have a non-stop service from SYD to BOM on the A330-200 which will have Skybeds in Business Class. The only catch is routing through SYD but this brings extra SC's and points.

Happy New Year to you as well and may 2008 bring Platinum status.

Cheers,
littl_flier

 

[Petch]

I want to always be able to use a business lounge at Bangkok & Mumbai (& everywhere if poss) but am not always with Qantas, so what should I do?

Priority Pass...

Bangkok BKK-

• Louis' Tavern (Concourse A)
• Louis' Tavern (Concourse C)
• Louis' Tavern (Concourse F)

Mumbai BOM-

• Shuttle Lounge -Domestic 1A
• Clipper Bar Lounge - Domestic 1B
• Clipper Lounge - International 2A
• Celebrations Lounge - International 2C
• Club Lounge - International 2C

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/airport-lounges/priority-pass-just-joined-11846.html

Unlike others, I would not recommend remaining loyal to an airlines' program. (Particularly if the airline has not remained loyal to you with its pricing!) If flying on discount fares it is difficult to amass the segments required to hit top status, and if flying a premium class then you get access to their lounges anyway.

If you are responsible for financing your travel; from your profit centre, your personal budget or your own hip pocket (and not some cloudy/murky/bureaucratic "corporate travel budget") you will get better results from mixing and matching airlines. (Particularly as medium haul LCC options increase in our region.)

 

[pgb123]

Thank you all so much, I've taken all your advices and just joined both Priority Pass AND a citibank VISA.

Any more good advice on my Q's is very welcome as well.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[Optics]

The best way to get into lounges is via a loyalty card, if not flying premium. I am both PLATS (emerald) with One World and Gold with Star Alliance, and get in on all around the world, even if flying Y.

What you need to do is fly one airline until you reach the top tier, and pick the alliances based on your research.


Hope that helps

Myh understanding of the OPs position though is that they do most of their travel on FF points earned via CC spend, so it is unlikely they will be able to achieve enough status to get lounge access when not flying premium.