Frequent Flyer Programs in Australia

Frequent Flyer programs are customer loyalty programs that are run by different airlines.

The idea is that the customer becomes a member of the program and they then accumulate Frequent Flyer miles according to the distance they travel on that particular airline, and also on any airlines that are partnered with the program.

At least, that was the original format. Nowadays, Frequent Flyer program members can also earn miles or points just for spending on co-branded credit and debit cards. Generally, customers will earn a lesser value of points for their regular purchases, and higher value points when they use their card for air travel with the linked airline(s), or for purchasing related services from these airlines.

Once sufficient miles or points have been accumulated on a Frequent Flyer program, the customer can then redeem them for free air travel, or as part of the cost of the travel, and also for other travel-related items or services, such as seat upgrades, access to airport lounges and priority bookings. To make them more attractive, there is also usually a large choice of non-travel-related items on offer for redemption.

It is a rare airline that does not offer some sort of Frequent Flyer program, or is not affiliated with one.

Frequent Flyer programs on credit cards

This has been a huge draw for credit card providers in recent years, and is only now rivalled by the popularity of cashback rewards programs. Some Frequent Flyer programs that ordinarily charge a membership fee have that fee waived when the program is joined via a co-branded credit card, which makes them a great way to take advantage of them.

What customers need to watch out for with such programs is the true value of the program when points are awarded rather than miles. Where a mile is a known quantity, it is necessary to work out how points earned are translated into miles or gifts. It should also be noted whether miles/points earned are capped at a certain level, and if there is any expiry date on them. These can undermine the value of the whole program if the customer flies very frequently or, alternatively, if they only add to their Frequent Flyer program total sporadically and therefore need more time to build up to a worthwhile redemption.

Check out today's featured offers:

Westpac Low Rate	Citibank Clear Platinum	Qantas AMEX Discovery	ANZ Platinum
0% p.a. for 6 months on purchases & balance transfers	2.9% p.a. for 12 months on balance transfers	$0 annual fee Up to 10,000 Bonus QFF Points	0% p.a. for 6 months on purchases & balance transfers

Subscribe to our newsletter and get "The Ultimate Guide to Balance Transfers"

Popular Credit Card Offers

			Interest Rate (p.a.)	Balance Transfer Rate (p.a.)	Annual fee	Cash Advance Rate (p.a.)
	Westpac Low Rate Card - 0% Offer	A credit card with a low rate offer on both balance transfers and purchases, plus a low annual fee.	0% for 6 months (reverts to 13.49% )	0% for 6 months	$45	21.49%
	Citibank Clear Platinum Card	Competitive interest rate on purchases and balance transfers offer.	11.99%	2.9% for 12 months	$99	21.74%
	St George Vertigo	Take advantage of this great offer from St.George with a low rate on purchases and a low balance transfer offer.	13.24%	0.99% for 12 months	$55	21.49%
	ANZ Platinum Credit Card	An introductory interest rate offer on balance transfers and purchases, plus a $0 first year annual fee.	0% for 6 months (reverts to 19.24% )	0% for 6 months	$0 annual fee for the first year( $87 thereafter)	20.99%