Getting started with frequent flyer programs can seem overwhelming, but once you get into it you’ll find it’s easy to earn points and you’ll be looking for more ways to earn them. Living in Australia there are two main programs, Qantas Frequently Flyers (Qantas) and Velocity Frequently Flyer (Virgin Australia).
Each earns points in different ways through various programs and schemes. These programs are supplemented by Everyday Rewards – Woolworths (Qantas) and Flybuys – Coles (Virgin Australia). Both of these programs are free and should be joined as well to help you earn points.
Why Join Rewards Programs
Qantas Frequent Flyer & Everyday Rewards
Velocity Frequent Flyer & Flybuys
The main benefit of joining these programs is to earn points to fly both domestically and internationally for free! If that isn’t incentive enough I don’t know what is. Earning points is the easy part, as mentioned you can join Everyday Rewards and Flybuys loyalty programs, earning points through your weekly groceries, filling up at the service station to simply having a mortgage.
How to Join Qantas Frequent Flyer Program
To join Qantas Frequent Flyers as a member in Australia, costs $99.50. But there are plenty of ways to sign up for FREE. To sign up for free click here to get started and start earning points for your next trip.
How to Join Velocity Frequent Flyer Program
It’s Free to join Velocity Frequent Flyer program, you can sign up here and you’re on your way to earning velocity points for your next Virgin Australia trip.
Loyalty Programs
If you’re joining Qantas, Velocity or both it’s always best to sign up to Everyday Rewards and Flybuys too. These loyalty programs work together with their respective frequent flyer programs to help you earn additional points.
Everyday Rewards (Sign Up Here)
Every 2,000 points you earn through Woolworths Everyday Rewards can be converted to 1,000 Qantas Points.
Flybuys (Sign Up Here)
Every 1,000 flybuys points earned through Coles, Kmart, Bunnings and other retailers can be converted to 500 Velocity points.
Frequent Flyer Airline Alliances and Partnerships
The benefits of these frequent flyer programs don’t end with just flights and opportunities with their respective airlines. Frequent Flyer points extend to partner and alliance airlines. What that means is that you can use your accumulated points to fly with their respective airline partners.
There are three main alliances OneWorld, Star Alliance and SkyTeam. These are the partnerships that allow you to travel beyond Qantas and Virgin Australia airlines.
What this also means is that you don’t need to sign up to every program for every airline as your points can transfer seamlessly to other airlines. To earn points just enter your Qantas or Velocity membership number with the respective airline before the flight.
While Virgin isn’t part of an alliance they do have partnerships with a select group of airlines, these being Singapore Airlines and Delta.
Whereas Qantas is part of the OneWorld alliance with its network allowing you to fly to hundreds of destinations around the world with partner airlines including Jetstar, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar, Cathay Pacific and American Airlines.
Summary
To sum up, we recommend you do what’s best for you. You need to look at how and where you shop, the cards you use and what benefits you want to get out of it. We recommend signing up to all the major programs because one they are free and two you’ll always be earning points no matter which way you choose.
It takes a little time to get your head around how to earn the most points and where.
And if you’re looking to fly business Class anytime soon, sign up to our newsletter and receive the latest news, tips, travel ideas and ways to earn points.