Flybuys points aren’t just useful for saving money at the supermarket! As the name suggests, they can also be redeemed for flights.
Traditionally, the only way to use your Flybuys points for actual flights has been to redeem them through online booking site Webjet. But from 31 January 2016, Webjet will no longer be a partner in the Flybuys program.
The new method of redeeming your points for flights may be a little more complicated, but the value is considerably greater! Since late 2015, Flybuys points have been convertible to Etihad Guest miles at a rate of 10,000 Flybuys points to 4,000 Etihad miles. These miles can then be redeemed for high-value Virgin Australia flights, both within Australia and on international flights.
Our members have compiled a guide to redeeming Etihad Guest miles for Virgin flights. Points can now be redeemed for both Economy and Business class flights, but there are a few catches. These flights can’t be booked online, nor within two weeks of travelling.
Reward flights using Etihad miles to travel on any airline other than Etihad must be booked over the phone. Within Australia, the number to call is 1300 532 215. Also keep in mind that you must book at least 2 weeks in advance.
When redeeming Etihad miles for Virgin flights, there are some great sweet spots to be found.
Flights that come in at just under 1,250 miles in distance are excellent value. Some examples include Sydney-Queenstown, Cairns-Sydney and Hamilton Island-Melbourne. These flights would all cost 16,900 Velocity points if redeemed through VA’s program. With Etihad they cost only 6,900 miles.
Flights from Melbourne to Perth on Virgin’s A330 aircraft are also fantastic value, especially in Business class. A seat in Virgin’s new “The Business” would normally cost up to $2,000 on this flight. But using Etihad Guest, a Business seat would cost just 21,800 miles. An equivalent amount of Flybuys points would convert to less than $300 in Coles gift cards.
Flybuys points can be converted to Etihad miles online, in blocks of 10,000 Flybuys points. But Australian travelers looking to take advantage of the Etihad Guest program do have a number of other options. Etihad miles can be earned for flying on Virgin Australia.
Etihad is also a transfer partner of Amex Membership Rewards. To earn maximum Etihad points at Coles, one member suggests combining Flybuys with an Amex card that earns 3 points per dollar at supermarkets.
Also a David Jones Platinum Amex card earns 3 Amex rewards points per $ spent at the big two Supermarket chains. So one could earn those Etihad miles rather quickly through double dipping, by scanning a flyby’s card along with paying a David Jones Platinum Amex card whilst shopping at coles
Find out more about converting Flybuys points to Etihad Guest miles HERE.
