Frequent flyer programs: are they worth it?

Unfortunately for travellers airlines have cracked down on their frequent flyer schemes in recent years.  It’s become harder to earn points to take free flights, and the ‘price’ in points to take these flights has risen sharply.

Despite this, frequent flyer programs are still well worth joining.  The most popular program for Australians is by far and away the Qantas FF program.  Qantas is part of the One World Alliance of airlines.abu simbel Frequent flyer programs: are they worth it?

It’s a one off $82 fee for Aussies to join the Qantas program. This then entitles you to earn points every time you fly with Qantas, with one of the Oneworld partner airlines or from a range of other services such as high end credit cards.   Once you have enough points to take a free flight the fare is free but you still have to pay for the taxes (the same for all FF programs)

The other major alliance is the Star Alliance, with  Air New Zealand the most common carrier used by Aussies. 

With either program if you are flying at least semi regularly it won’t be long before you have enough for a free flight.  A trip to the USA return on Qantas might earn you around 15,000 points, which will get you Sydney – Melbourne return.  Better value is saving up your points for an international flight: Sydney – Jakarta or Bali return is around 50 – 60,000 points for example.

If you plan to take a round the world trip with one of the major alliances then joing the corresponsing frequent flyer program is 100% worthwhile.  The points will add up quickly and get you flying free faster.

To join the Qantas/One World program check out  http://www.qantas.com.au/, or http://www.oneworld.com/

For the Star Alliance program check out http://www.staralliance.com/en/.

Just be aware that the cheapest seats on international flights will earn you less points than they used to. The Qantas ‘red specials’ are an example.

Also check out the Emirates and Etihad programs as they can be worth joining if you are flying to London or the Middle East.

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