Is there any real benefit of establishing FF loyalty program for retiree?

[joyvee]

I need your advise on best way to fly economically when I have none of normal business type advantages.

I have gleaned lots of ways to accumulate FF points , mainly with QF. by reading this site. I cannot use ATO options, rarely shop at Coles and Woolies, don't have a mortgage. I am not a big ticket spender.

Is is economically feasible to start a loyalty program for me? Looked at ANZ first year free and 40K points but not sure what happens if I terminate it after one year?
Also AMEX is not most popular card as it charges too much in costs for the retailers.

I do like to travel OS once a year and domestically about 6 times.

Is there any way for me to use points, reveal all about my spending patterns to utilise points system or am I better off to just buy the cheaspest flights via Br or whoever has a special on at the time?

Thanks for your considered opinions. I just love a bargain and would like to hear some tips from you.
JoyV

 

[Hvr]

Well hopefully your retirement will be long and enjoyable so every point will be of assistance especially when you seek those elusive point upgrades.

 

[codash1099]

I need your advise on best way to fly economically when I have none of normal business type advantages.

I have gleaned lots of ways to accumulate FF points , mainly with QF. by reading this site. I cannot use ATO options, rarely shop at Coles and Woolies, don't have a mortgage. I am not a big ticket spender.

Is is economically feasible to start a loyalty program for me? Looked at ANZ first year free and 40K points but not sure what happens if I terminate it after one year?
Also AMEX is not most popular card as it charges too much in costs for the retailers.

I do like to travel OS once a year and domestically about 6 times.

Is there any way for me to use points, reveal all about my spending patterns to utilise points system or am I better off to just buy the cheaspest flights via Br or whoever has a special on at the time?

Thanks for your considered opinions. I just love a bargain and would like to hear some tips from you.
JoyV

My word yes! Just about all my points and SC's that I now have were earned after retirement (AFF helped considerably. I wasn't really aware of what/when/how to do things until I joined).

Follow the clues here and you'll be riding up front before you know it.

 

[markis10]

Frequent Flyer programs are a great way of getting value for money in most cases but they are not a magic bullet, there will be times when flying in a fare class that earns points just does not make sense, for instance when there is a good LCC service on offer, while other times buying points to travel in an upgraded cabin can be a very good use of money.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Looked at ANZ first year free and 40K points but not sure what happens if I terminate it after one year?

Nothing...except you will have 40K.

Terminate before the 12 months to ensure that no new yearly fee has to be paid. If you are retired it would be prudent to have another CC in place first.

I now earn very view points via my employment....so I would not let that stop you going after points.

Indeed now that I know how to "work" the system I earn vastly more points than back when I had a personally work travel budget of $70k per year.

Spend several days reading old threads on hear and Flyertalk (USA centric and so not always directly relevant, but enormously useful in training you up on the type of opportunities to look for & how to exploit them etc...).

 

[puppysparkes]

You may as well be getting something in return for your every day spend is my view. The trick is to ensure you aren't spending outside your usual shopping pattern. Given all the offers and enticements and advice on AFF you should be able to work it to your advantage. I did almost immediately after signing up with AFF.

 

[puppysparkes]

I forgot to add a link to a thread about churning credit cards: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/showthread.php?t=55888

As mentioned in the above thread "The Rok" knows the industry so definitely consider that advice.

 

[Major]

If you decide go with QF then make sure you select a CC that allows transfer to QFF. I know this sounds obvious but there are lots of no fee CC's out there where you cannot transfer.

Put as much as you can on the CC...council rates, electricity bills, entertainment, phone, insurance, etc. But make sure you pay it off every month in full.

I do this and as a retiree it's amazing how quickly the FF points build up.

So yes...it's definitely worth it

 

[jojen]

As others have said, start earning points and loyalty. We are retired , and earn points through credit card, shopping ,wine ,petrol ,flying. Started off as bronze a few years ago and thanks to this and other forums will make it to platinum this year !!!

This will be very nice when we use our points for our 2nd OW RTW reward next year in J !!!!

Start now and you will reap the rewards.

jojen

 

[mark4217]

I just paid for 4 return Biz class bris Abu 100% points. Took a year and a bit to save but wow, I'm chuffed. FF programs are awsome. If you are going with Qantas the ANZ frequent flyer card (AMEX) is best but I will put Visa card half in a drawer and look for a better Visa card. The Woolworths cc pays 1 point per $1 spend. I am with Virgin so I have AMEX plat Edge for supermarket and petrol only , NAB Velosity Amex for anything else and where Visa only accepted I use Vigin Visa which comes with some 241 tickets etc. have fun

 

[JohnK]

I need your advise on best way to fly economically when I have none of normal business type advantages.

I dont think I have any normal business type advantages even though I have been commuting for 6 years. Travel is one of my favourite hobbies though.

I have close to 1.2 million QFF points, ~170,000 AAdvantage miles with most purchased, ~270,000 Amex MR points, ~65,000 VS Flying club miles from Hilton stays and car hire, ~70,000 Velocity points, ~400,000 IHG points and ~70,000 Hhonors points.

All on a modest salary, cheap airfares, cheap hotel stays. Now all I have to do is live long enough to get some value out of them.

 

[joyvee]

Thanks for the ideas. Keep them coming please.
My only problem is that I only have a limited time in which to accrue these points and will it be enough?
Having turned my three score and ten years - reckon the next 10 will be my last quality fling years so want to make the most out of the time.
Don't expect to meet JohnK's points accrual!
Don't want to sit in a room and watch the walls meet at the corner. Happy travels to all. JoyV

 

[Rox]

YMMV as they say, but my mum went on her first OS trip (an organised tour to china, Russia and London) in her late 70's . She took me to Vanuatu at age 86' and I took her to NZ when she was 88 and a camping tour of the Kimberleys when she was > 90 .
A friends mother was still going with her bush walking club to Italy at approx 80.
I hope to emulate them in ageing disgracefully. Nothing wrong with aiming high.
I suspect their attitude helps them achieve their aims.

 

[joyvee]

Rox,
Sounds like you chose your mum wisely - think these are our GOLD years, Growing Older Living Dangerously years.

Intend going to BKK in 2 weeks, bombs and all ! Just trying to extend the $$s so I can keep travelling and having adventures.
JoyV

 

[Rox]

We'll look forward to the TR!
Have a great time!

 

[sapho]

As someone who redeems 2 first class fares a year with points and retired, I find value but you have to earn point on everything you do to do this. The best value for points is to avoid Qantas and use for upgrades on airlines that actually have redemption seats to redeem. Cathay is a good example to upgrade a long sector to Premium Economy is an achievable cost without a high points cost. Check out their calculator. Tx points from AMEX

 

[prozac]

I dont think I have any normal business type advantages even though I have been commuting for 6 years. Travel is one of my favourite hobbies though.

I have close to 1.2 million QFF points, ~170,000 AAdvantage miles with most purchased, ~270,000 Amex MR points, ~65,000 VS Flying club miles from Hilton stays and car hire, ~70,000 Velocity points, ~400,000 IHG points and ~70,000 Hhonors points.

All on a modest salary, cheap airfares, cheap hotel stays. Now all I have to do is live long enough to get some value out of them.

:shock::shock::shock:......that's some serious effort. Some days I think I am on the right track and then I look at a post like this and realise I am an mere amateur. I'm feeling a little inadequate now John.

 

[mrpooky]

Put as much as you can on the CC...council rates, electricity bills, entertainment, phone, insurance, etc. But make sure you pay it off every month in full.

... but bear in mind credit card fees on many bills if you do this!

I nominally value both QFF and VA points at 1 cent per point. So any payment that doesn't give me more than one point for every cent of credit card fee gets paid using something other than a credit card.

This seems to be most bills these days, as most of the ones I seem to pay are over 1% credit card fee.

mrpooky.

 

[Steelo]

I think you can make the most of a frequent flyer program when retired. Firstly, you need to set some goals and have a sense of how much you intend to spend on travel each year. Then learn the tricks and maximise you benefits. Personally, I would find it hard to travel by air without some added benefits - life is too short to miss out on these. As you are retired you have flexibility and time. I don't think it is unreasonable to set out your budget and aim for Gold - that will ensure you enjoy those comforts you need when travelling. I am in my 60's and a modest salary and manage to achieve WP - careful planning and travel is my priority. There are some easy ways of maximising your points and status credits. For example if travelling os - try booking your ticket from Denpasar - get a cheap JQ flight to Denpasar and then book a One world airline such Malaysia and hip hop across Asia - you will often find these fares equal in price to Australian economy fares - and you get the benefit of great status credits and the comfort you deserve to enjoy. Don't ignore Jetstar you can often pick up cheap flights into Singapore or Denpasar - and business class on Jetstar can be good value - it is often worth paying extra for a bundle to get the status credits. You have to pick your airline and stick to it - Qantas and One World is a good way to focus your loyalty. Mrs Steelo had her passport stolen at KL airport - and even though she was n a very cheap fare with Malaysian - she was treated like (she expects to be) by Malaysian because of her QF status. So I suggest you get a new hobby - how to maximise your travel experience - at the best price - for the maximum benefits. Travel smart and enjoy the benefits - and remember - frequent flyer programs reward frequent flyers . If yu are interested in flying you can get some great benefits - but if it is just a trip to the gold coast once a year - well enjoy it - but don't expect much from it.

 

[joyvee]

Thank you for the practical ideas and encouragement. I have worked out that travelling from Asian hub is the way to go in comfort. Last June in the week before Ramadan I learned that Qatar has few passengers from BKK in J and their prices reflected that on fares to Europe at that time. I could also use the AFF Expedia .com.be to get cheap fares to SIN or BKK

. . Must check out one world and see if Air Asia has points with them. Thanks for your encouragement. I want to make sure that I maximize the value of points I earn. I lost my enthusiasm for ANZ AMEX when i realised the 40,000 bonus points cost me $295 a year. Is this a wise evaluation on my part door do you think it would be a wise investment? Thanks for all the good advise. Will re-read Rock's posts again. JoyV