Frequent Flyer Points bonanza!
By Jason Bryce
Banks and other credit card issuers are offering hundreds of thousands of Qantas Frequent Flyer, Virgin Velocity and other rewards points to approved applicants as competition in the cards market heats up. And the Qantas Frequent Flyer scheme has recently been improved for economy class redeemers.
Some cards are offering enough points for a couple to take off on a return international getaway this winter. For example:
The American Express Westpac Altitude Platinum Bundle Qantas card is offering 75,000 QFF bonus points. 60,000 on a Mastercard and 15,000 on the Amex companion credit card, when you spend $3,000 on each card within 90 days (other terms and conditions may apply). Amex cards typically have a high earn rate for rewards points.
The ANZ Rewards Black Visa credit card is offering 100,000 Reward Points and $100 back to your new ANZ Rewards Black when you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from approval (other terms and conditions may apply).
The Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer Credit Card is promoting its offer of 90,000 bonus Velocity points – 30,000 points each month for three months if you spend $3,000 on eligible transactions (other terms and conditions may apply).
How can I compare earn rates on frequent flyer credit cards?
How you ‘earn’ your rewards points or frequent flyer points and how you redeem them can impact how much they are ‘worth’ in terms of flight rewards. Different cards have different earn rates, complicating the task of comparing them. InfoChoice can help you cut through the different rates and ways of earning points and compare the earn rates on different credit cards.
When you are looking at the InfoChoice comparison table page for reward credit cards, click on the column heading titled “Spend req. for SYD-MEL Ret. Flight” or the column heading “Spend Req. for $100 Reward” to compare the earn rate and value for money proposition being offered by each card.
How many Virgin Velocity points do I need to earn a flight reward?
Virgin Velocity is free to join and has about 9 million members in Australia. One reward point is about equal to one cent but the value of the points really depends on how you want to redeem them.
A Sydney to Melbourne economy seat, for example, would ‘cost’ 7,800 Velocity points according to the Velocity Mileage Calculator.
An economy seat on a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles will cost 44,800 Velocity points.
A Brisbane to Auckland economy seat will take 14,800 points.
How many Qantas Frequent Flyer points do I need to earn a flight reward?
QFF points can be redeemed for flights in two ways – ‘Classic Flight Rewards’ and ‘Points Plus Pay.’
Classic Flights Rewards use your points to pay for the cost of the seat (excluding taxes and some fees). Not all flights are available for Classic Flights Rewards. Points Plus Pay means a seat can be paid for using a combination of QFF points and money. This can be used for any available seat on any flight (terms and conditions apply).
A Sydney to Melbourne economy seat will require 8,000 QFF points (terms and conditions apply).
A Sydney to Los Angeles economy seat will require 41,900 QFF points.
A Brisbane to Auckland economy seat will take 18,000 QFF points.
There are plenty of credit cards linked to QFF that are making great points offers at the moment. Other credit cards are offering even more points. Check out the great deals and compare rewards and frequent flyer linked credit cards at InfoChoice.
The information contained on this web site is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. If you or someone you know is in financial stress, contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.