How to Use and Accumulate your Frequent Flyer Points: 7 Tips
Author: Travelbug // Category: Transport
The end of the year is not the best time to travel as you’ll be competing with hordes of holiday-makers for travel dates. On the financial side of things, this is also a time for airlines to rake in the cash. Unsurprisingly, airfares have gone through the roof during this peak season. Recently I planned for a holiday trip to Singapore and comparison airline booking websites show an average of AU$1600 for a return flight from Sydney to Singapore compared to the usual AU$1200 at the most. My findings have shown that airlines have jacked up its taxes, making overseas travel an unwelcome option. The airfares governed by the economics of supply and demand have left us with three options, to give in and pay the atrocious prices, to be more flexible with travel dates and take advantage of low fares in off-peak season or to apply strategies that make travel more affordable at the end of the year.
One of the strategies I have adopted is to use the frequent flyer points to offset the hefty airfare. In using it, I’ve saved $300 in exchange for a 42 000 point reduction. Now it’s time to accumulate more flyer points to be used at the next most opportune moment.
Here’s how to accumulate frequent flyer points:
1. Take advantage of introductory offers
If you intend to subscribe to a new credit card, take advantage of introductory offers that include frequent flyer miles just for signing up. Ensure that you understand the rules on earning the promotional miles always read the fine print to avoid being misled. For example, the fine print may say that you have to spend $500 on the card with a specific number of days to earn bonus points. As long you are aware of the rules and have no qualms in adhering to them you are using the offer to your advantage.
2. More than one card link-up
If you and your spouse are frequent flyer cardholders, using the card separately will add points to your joint accounts. This is a faster method of earning points.
3. Frequent purchases with your credit card or more loyalty card swipes
To earn as many flyer points you should use your frequent flyer credit card or patronise the store or supermarket that offer frequent flyer points reward cards. This of course doesn’t mean that you should spend beyond your means but if you need to purchase grocery or other necessary items anyway, using the credit card or getting your loyalty card swiped will earn you points in the long run.
4. Spend money with travel nominated partners
Many credit card frequent flyer programs will have partnerships with other nominated businesses such as car rentals, hotels and train companies. By spending money with these retailers and merchants you will earn more points. To earn more points, find out which retailers and merchants are nominated partners with your credit card company and do all of your shopping there.
5. Travel with nominated partners
If you book your travel through nominated partners you will earn double points. This means that you should book with specific airlines, stay at specific hotels and rent from specific car rental companies. The more you do business with nominated travel partners the more frequent flyer reward points you will earn. In my case, flying with the same airline company sixth times in a row has helped to chalk up 45 000 points which have been eventually put to good use recently.
6. Subscriptions that earn bonus points
Many things that require monthly or annual fees like internet access at your house, mobile phone contracts, and cable television often have mileage bonuses associated with them. You’ll need to check with your primary alliance airline store.
7. Large purchases and loans
Some banks and airlines offer huge frequent flyer bonuses with car loans and mortgages. If you need to apply for a loan anyway, take advantage of loans that both offer the best rates as well as frequent flyer points.
As you can see, there are many strategies that you can adopt to chalk up your frequent flyer points. Combining a few of the above methods will help you earn more points speedily. Do take note however, not to get too engrossed in accumulating points that have you end up spending more than you should. The rule of thumb is to use your frequent flyer credit cards to your advantage and spend money at participating stores on products you need anyway.

















