How do retirees still earn FF Points, and optimise travel?

[Flying mermaid]

Get all the credit cards before you retire and while your salary is at its peak. Mum was right. Even if you have a tax free annual take of $80 000 in retirement with no mortgage and no debts, the CC providers don't want to know you.

Not sure about that. I applied for a 28 degrees card a few months ago (we decided it would be useful for both Mr FM and I to have one). I applied online and put down that I was retired and was instantly approved - it was a low limit that I was give (10K), but that doesn't worry me as I will just transfer cash to it as needed.

 

[coco50]

Have close to 400k points. After experience of seeing how much QF want in fees and taxes maybe there's a way of getting to LHR via another OneWorld airline. Previous trips to/within the US using FF points I noted that AA had a flat rate fo US$5 for each sector but not sure whether (a) that still applies or (b) whether I could get to LHR via the US using them.

I was determined to go RTW first class with my wife. I estimate that I bought about $60 000 of airfares for the points + $3500 in taxes etc. But you're right - Qf do get you.

 

[Jacques Vert]

When I retired I was WP, but lack of flying soon had me eroded to NB. However, by using my CB Rewards CC I quickly built up points as I paid for everything using the card and paid the balance off in full each month, thereby avoiding paying interest.

This is what we do and is a very good strategy for all, not only retirees but everyone should be dong this. But yes, critical for retirees to maximise points earn every possible way. Amazing how quickly you can re-amass the points, especially when you have the time to work at it.

JV

 

[Jacques Vert]

Get all the credit cards before you retire and while your salary is at its peak. Mum was right. Even if you have a tax free annual take of $80 000 in retirement with no mortgage and no debts, the CC providers don't want to know you.

Not sure about that. I applied for a 28 degrees card a few months ago (we decided it would be useful for both Mr FM and I to have one). I applied online and put down that I was retired and was instantly approved - it was a low limit that I was give (10K), but that doesn't worry me as I will just transfer cash to it as needed.

Since being retired/semi-retired I have applied for five cards and been approved for three: the last one approved being the Westpac Black Altitude fee free (for the first year). My experience is that some banks will accept self-funded pensions as income and some won't. Thank God for competition.

I also agree that you should apply for the cards before you retire as it will be easier (assuming your pre-retirement income is higher than your post-retirement income).

JV

 

[Revolio]

retirement=freedom. easy to maintain Platinum status if you can structure travel purchases around airline sales.

(all bar 2 of my 55+ flights last Virgin year were s class)

 

[amp-qld]

Get all the credit cards before you retire and while your salary is at its peak. Mum was right. Even if you have a tax free annual take of $80 000 in retirement with no mortgage and no debts, the CC providers don't want to know you.

I've been reading this thread with interest and thought this post needed a reply. If you make sure that your income is clearly defined, you CAN still get a new credit card. I retired at 57 with just silver status. We maximise CC points and pay for most air travel but use points when we can. We split up our long flights to avoid overnight in economy. One recent trip was BNE-PER-JNB business on points, then JNB-AUH-LHR-AUH economy paid then AUH-SYD-MCY business on points.

 

[Flying mermaid]

retirement=freedom. easy to maintain Platinum status if you can structure travel purchases around airline sales.

(all bar 2 of my 55+ flights last Virgin year were s class)

Totally agree - I always wait for sales! The difference in $ can be huge, particularly in F and J. What is the point of retirement if you can't be flexible about when you travel.

 

[amp-qld]

Don't forget that 28 degrees is no longer cheap for taking money out of ATMs. You need Citibank or HSBC debit cards for that. 28 deg still good for intl purchases but you don't need to preload it for that.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Don't forget that 28 degrees is no longer cheap for taking money out of ATMs. You need Citibank or HSBC debit cards for that. 28 deg still good for intl purchases but you don't need to preload it for that.

Yes I know it was good while it lasted - we put just about everything on the CC, so 10,000 doesn't go very far to cover hotel bills and restaurants on a 6 week trip. Also I don't mind using it for cash - the 3% is the same or better than using a cash card and I can't be bothered getting yet another card for the small amount of cash we use.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I too am now retired after many years of being spoilt by international business class (with frequent upgrades to 1st to make things even more difficult now!). As a Lifetime Qantas Gold one may think indeed that this is flight Superannuation but recently checking on a return flight to London with QF in Economy resulted in almost $1000 fees and taxes! Why bother? You can purchase an economy fare for not much more. An email to QF has been ignored despite Gold status (does Gold mean anything these days?). I seriously get the impression that QF has gone to the dogs and is no longer the airline to fly with. Anyone out there any ideas of the best way to use my FF points to get to London?

You can use FF points to somewhere like Asia (120K return in business class, or less if you take Jetstar 'business') and combine that with a revenue business class ex Asia to Europe. The latter can be well under AUD2000 depending on the sales, and will accrue Qantas points and partner SCs (with full flat beds!).

 

[CaptJCool]

Great suggestion MelTraveller
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....emirates-just-released-their-first-23988.html
its 192,000 points to fly 1st to London one way. Charges around $645 per person. And as suggested could buy ex somewhere In Europe.
heathrow has the higher airport departure taxes and the pound Aussie conversions pretty lousy.
the Google ITA MATRIX or Momondo are airfare consolidators and show all fares for all airlines.
Often a return ex Asia or Europe can be way cheaper than ex AUSTRALIA.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Of course one of the best tips is to do a realistic budget, include the cost of your travels, and plan your finances accordingly so your income matches or surpasses your expenses. Isn't that what a well run business would do?

 

[andye]

Yes I know it was good while it lasted - we put just about everything on the CC, so 10,000 doesn't go very far to cover hotel bills and restaurants on a 6 week trip. Also I don't mind using it for cash - the 3% is the same or better than using a cash card and I can't be bothered getting yet another card for the small amount of cash we use.

I'm sure you know but the Citibank debit card is fairly painless with no knock to credit score

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Just remember that it is not the points as much as the status credits that you need to worry aboutt

Why?

If you are flying in J/F on points, why is status important?

If you are buying discount Y, then I can understand the relevance of having status.

For long haul international, presently my goal is to keep flying on points as long as possible...perhaps topped up with discount J's once the points start to get low.,

However I guess once one is fully retired that the number of recreational trips that you might want to take each might might multiply. Then again RTW tickets which are currently hard for me to use due to time, will become viable. Which is good both for point redemptions or to build status.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Ok..I have now jumped..or at least half jumped into "Transition to Retirement".

Employee no longer. I have set up my own Pty Ltd company as of this week. Note though that the idea is not to make a fortune, but to enrich my life's balance (though having said that current projections will actually result in a higher income despite lesser hours. Effectively I will be largely doing what I have previously done, and so low risk of not achieving at least the same income).

To allow for more time for travel:

> I am setting things up so everything possible is performed in the cloud. So as long as I have reasonable internet access, I can work anywhere any time. I will even be able to travel without a laptop if required, or if I lose it just use a internet cafe (though will try and not do that due to greater risk). I have had a frantic fortnight researching which tools at what bang for buck suit me best. Given my travel intentions I have erred on robustness and ease of use. Luckily for me such tool development has boomed in recent years so much so that when you do what I do, even if you have a fixed office you mainly use tools in the cloud. With online payments now also booming and the norm, that barrier too is now gone. If I take a greater % off I might need to hire one part time person, or serviced office arrangement, to say work a day per week on the few residual tasks that require a local presence or action. ie residual snail mail and the like.
> That I only need to be in Oz for set periods that I select in advance. The rest of the year is organising for what occurs in those periods, and the time just prior which will be busy
> I can now work for as much, or as little time as I choose. This year it will be about 80 % work ( already doing 6 weeks in Africa in July/Aug and 3 weeks in Nepal in December)
> I will crank this down to 40/50% over the next few years (wife has 6 months long service leave which she can take at half-pay. So that gives 12 months of travel on half her pay ignoring our investment income). Though will possibly evolve into large chunks of working one or two days per week (or even maybe an hour or two each day) for much of the year with periods of full-time weeks. I will just have to after 2015 play around a bit and find a rhythm that works.

I am not sure yet whether this "Transition Phase will last 2 years or 2 decades. But it is a great way to start.

 

[codash1099]

Why?

If you are flying in J/F on points, why is status important?

If you are buying discount Y, then I can understand the relevance of having status.

For long haul international, presently my goal is to keep flying on points as long as possible...perhaps topped up with discount J's once the points start to get low.,

However I guess once one is fully retired that the number of recreational trips that you might want to take each might might multiply. Then again RTW tickets which are currently hard for me to use due to time, will become viable. Which is good both for point redemptions or to build status.

Status still has some value in seat selection, position in the upgrade queue etc. but for those "perks", it's certainly not worth the cost.

 

[amaroo]

If you F or J (dom) status is next to worthless IMO. This is my (pre) retirement plan and I've pulled the LTG parachute just incase I'm wrong.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I'm sure you know but the Citibank debit card is fairly painless with no knock to credit score

Thanks I will have a look at it - I can be a bit lazy about these things.

 

[JohnM]

Of course one of the best tips is to do a realistic budget, include the cost of your travels, and plan your finances accordingly so your income matches or surpasses your expenses. Isn't that what a well run business would do?

Ah, stuff that - leave the kids some more debt to add to the modern-day pile :mrgreen:.

 

[cove]

That will toughen them up JohnM.
I guess not buying the Cullen reds package today was a mistake but I really have trouble drinking a lot of their inheritance.
I would like to retire from being a taxpayer but it will not happen easily so the credit card thing should keep us seated in the pointy end for a good while.