From what they are to how you can earn them, here’s your guide to frequent flyer points so you can be that much closer to your next getaway. Time to put in your leave, am i right?
Table of contents
What are frequent flyer points
How do frequent flyer points work
What frequent flyer points programmes are available?
Frequent flyer pros and cons
Things to avoid about frequent flyer programmes
Frequent flyer point FAQs
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What are frequent flyer points?
Frequent flyer programmes (FFP) are loyalty programmes offered by numerous airlines. An airline customer who is enrolled in the programme accumulates frequent flyer points which correspond to the distance that’s been flown on the particular airline or its partner airlines. Accumulated points can be used for air travel, eligible goods and services, enhanced flight benefits, flight upgrades, access to airport lounges, and priority bookings.
How do frequent flyer points work?
Frequent flyer points are not a new facility offered by airlines but many travellers don’t take advantage of these benefits - often due to lack of knowledge. Frequent flyer (FF) programmes offer benefits that are not necessarily associated with air travel.
The aim of frequent flyer programmes is to offer incentives as a way of rewarding customers for their ongoing loyalty. When flying, it is possible for the traveller to accrue free “miles” which are linked to flying with a specific airline. The more often you fly with a particular airline the more your awards.
Your accumulated frequent flyer points remain in your account in a similar way to holding cash in your bank account. They increase the more you fly, but no equivalent of interest is added. Currently, the majority of the bigger domestic airlines work in a similar way and mileage accumulated does not have a use-by date attached. Some activity is required in your account, which is normally once in three years to keep your points. The airlines do sometimes alter their policies on mileage expiration. Once you reach a certain amount of points, you can redeem them for an award which, in most situations, is air travel.
There are now other industries linked to travel that have partnered with particular airlines. This includes car rental companies and hotel chains. Hertz is linked to at least 60 frequent flyer programmes, both domestic and international.
Hotel chains, such as Novotel which partnered with Thai Airways, have ongoing relationships with airlines so travellers can use accumulated points to purchase hotel rooms.
A further benefit for frequent flyers is that points can be earned on a number of transactions that involve non-travel arrangements, too. These include purchases through credit cards where you can often earn one point or more for each dollar charged, as well as on various telephone services. Mortgages and stock trades sometimes have links to airline points, too. You can accumulate points by shopping at certain stores, either in-person or online.
You should keep yourself updated with the companies you use for any travel-related products to see if they offer any frequent flyer points programmes to really make the most of your purchases.
What frequent flyer programmes are available?
Qatar Airways
Privilege Club
EVA Air
Infinity Mileage Lands
Asiana Airlines
Asiana Club
Lufthansar
Miles & More
Singapore Airlines
Kris Flyer
Qantas Airways
Qantas Points
Cathay Pacific
Asia Miles, The Marco Polo Club
Korean Air
SKYPASS
Turkish Airlines
Miles & Smiles
Air New Zealand
Airpoints
Etihad Airways
Ethihad Guest
Swiss International Airlines
Miles & More
Emirates
Skywards
Air Canada
Aeroplan
Thai Airways International
Royal Orchid Plus
ANA All Nippon Airways
Ana Mileage Club
Malaysia Airlines
Enrich, Asia Miles
Hainan Airlines
Fortune Wings Club
Garuda Indonesia
Garuda Frequent Flyer
Virgin Australia
Velocity Points
Frequent flyer pros and cons
Pros
It makes free travel possible – frequent flyer points gives you the chance to visit somewhere you normally wouldn’t be able to afford.
You can accumulate frequent points through everyday spending – possessing a frequent flyer credit card means you can earn points without flying but use these accumulated points for flying.
You can skip queues and sit in the best seats - you can use your frequent flyer points for seat upgrades, securing yourself a spot in comfortable airport lounges, skip the check-in queue, obtain priority boarding, and nab free excess baggage.
Cons
The value of rewards are not always clear for free flights - for example, the cost of fuel charges is often higher with free flights, so the value of a free flight is not so great.
Limited seat availability for frequent flyer points - this often means one’s preferred flight time or destination is not easy to book.
Frequent flyer point programmes require extensive research - there are so many different options for frequent flyers, and many airline websites require time to establish which is worthwhile and good value for money. The deals are there but patience is required to benefit.
Things to avoid about frequent flyer points
Frequent flyer points are without doubt a bonus for travellers who accumulate large flight mileages annually and, if used wisely, they can offer worthwhile benefits. However, there are certain purchases that should be avoided and measures that should be taken if the buyer wishes to make maximum use of their points. These are explained below:
Flyer points used on economy flights aren’t good value for money.
Many airlines have their own frequent flyer stores, but these prices are often far greater than in-store. Shop at these stores only when bonus offers are available, and shop around first before you hit “submit”.
Upgrading a seat to a higher class is more beneficial than using flyer points for free seats.
Some airlines attach an expiry date to points, so this should be checked regularly to ensure no losses occur.
Frequently asked questions
What do I have to do to join a frequent flyer programme? Each airline provides online information and a sign up facility for their specific frequent flyer programme.
Is a credit card necessary for joining an airline’s frequent flyer programme? No, you do not require a credit card.
Is there a cost for joining an airline’s frequent flyer programme? This depends on the airline: some charge for the privilege and others do not.
Will airlines offer points for flights taken BEFORE I joined their frequent flyers programme? Some airlines do offer this facility but there is no standard followed by all airlines. You must check immediately after you’ve signed up for an airline’s frequent flyer programme to avoid losing any benefits or points.
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