Frequent Flyer Programs in Australia: A Complete Guide

Frequent Flyer Programs in Australia: A Complete Guide

Frequent flyer programs are a fantastic way to earn rewards on flights and other purchases, turning your everyday spending into travel opportunities. In Australia, the two major players are Qantas Frequent Flyer and Virgin Australia Velocity. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of both programs, helping you understand how they work, how to maximise your points, and how to redeem them effectively.

Overview of Qantas Frequent Flyer

Qantas Frequent Flyer is the loyalty program of Qantas Airways, Australia's largest airline. It allows members to earn points on Qantas flights, as well as flights with its partner airlines, including those in the Oneworld alliance. Beyond flights, you can also earn points through a wide range of partners, including credit cards, hotels, car rentals, and even shopping.

Earning Qantas Points

Flights: The most common way to earn Qantas Points is by flying with Qantas, Jetstar, or their partner airlines. The number of points you earn depends on the distance flown, the fare class, and your membership status. Higher fare classes generally earn more points.
Credit Cards: Many Australian banks offer credit cards that allow you to earn Qantas Points on your everyday spending. These cards often come with bonus points upon sign-up and ongoing points for every dollar spent. Consider comparing different cards to find one that suits your spending habits. Bookflights can help you plan your next trip with those points!
Qantas Partners: Qantas has partnered with a vast network of businesses, allowing you to earn points on everything from hotel stays and car rentals to shopping and insurance. Always check if a retailer is a Qantas partner before making a purchase.
Qantas Store: Earn points by purchasing items through the Qantas Store.

Qantas Frequent Flyer Status

Qantas Frequent Flyer offers various membership tiers, each with increasing benefits. These tiers are:

Bronze: The entry-level tier, offering basic benefits like priority check-in (on select airlines) and access to member-only deals.
Silver: Requires earning a certain number of Status Credits and flying a minimum number of Qantas or Jetstar flights. Benefits include priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, and access to Qantas Club lounges when flying domestically.
Gold: Offers even greater benefits, such as access to Qantas Club and partner airline lounges worldwide, priority boarding, and increased baggage allowance.
Platinum: Provides top-tier benefits, including access to First Class lounges, highest priority for upgrades, and dedicated customer service.
Platinum One: The highest tier, offering exclusive benefits and personalised service.

Status Credits are earned based on the distance flown, fare class, and airline. The higher the fare class and the longer the flight, the more Status Credits you earn. You need to earn a certain number of Status Credits within a 12-month period to maintain or upgrade your membership tier.

Redeeming Qantas Points

Qantas Points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including:

Flights: The most popular redemption option is for flights with Qantas, Jetstar, and partner airlines. You can use your points to book Classic Flight Rewards, which are subject to availability, or Points Plus Pay, which allows you to use a combination of points and cash.
Upgrades: You can use your points to upgrade to a higher class of service on eligible Qantas flights.
Hotels and Car Rentals: Qantas Points can also be redeemed for hotel stays and car rentals through Qantas Hotels and Qantas Cars.
Qantas Store: Redeem points for a wide range of merchandise, gift cards, and experiences through the Qantas Store.

Overview of Virgin Australia Velocity

Velocity Frequent Flyer is the loyalty program of Virgin Australia. Similar to Qantas Frequent Flyer, it allows members to earn points on flights with Virgin Australia and its partner airlines, as well as through a wide range of partners.

Earning Velocity Points

Flights: Earn Velocity Points by flying with Virgin Australia, or their partner airlines, including those in the SkyTeam alliance. The number of points earned depends on the distance flown, fare class, and membership status.
Credit Cards: Numerous credit cards in Australia offer Velocity Points as rewards. These cards often provide bonus points upon sign-up and ongoing points for every dollar spent. Research different options to find a card that aligns with your spending habits.
Velocity Partners: Velocity has partnered with a variety of businesses, allowing you to earn points on hotel stays, car rentals, shopping, and more. Always check if a retailer is a Velocity partner before making a purchase. Learn more about Bookflights and how we can help you plan your next trip using your Velocity points.
Velocity eStore: Earn points by shopping online through the Velocity eStore.

Velocity Frequent Flyer Status

Velocity Frequent Flyer offers several membership tiers, each with increasing benefits. These tiers are:

Red: The entry-level tier, offering basic benefits like access to member-only deals.
Silver: Requires earning a certain number of Status Credits and flying a minimum number of eligible sectors. Benefits include priority check-in, priority boarding, and extra baggage allowance.
Gold: Offers enhanced benefits, such as access to Virgin Australia lounges, priority security screening, and increased baggage allowance.
Platinum: Provides top-tier benefits, including access to partner airline lounges, guaranteed Economy Reward seats, and dedicated customer service.

Status Credits are earned based on the distance flown, fare class, and airline. You need to earn a certain number of Status Credits within a 12-month period to maintain or upgrade your membership tier.

Redeeming Velocity Points

Velocity Points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including:

Flights: The most popular redemption option is for flights with Virgin Australia and partner airlines. You can use your points to book Reward Seats, which are subject to availability, or Points + Pay, which allows you to use a combination of points and cash.
Upgrades: You can use your points to upgrade to a higher class of service on eligible Virgin Australia flights.
Hotels and Car Rentals: Velocity Points can also be redeemed for hotel stays and car rentals through Velocity partners.
Velocity Rewards Store: Redeem points for a wide range of merchandise, gift cards, and experiences through the Velocity Rewards Store.

Comparing Program Benefits and Earning Rates

While both Qantas Frequent Flyer and Velocity Frequent Flyer offer similar benefits, there are some key differences to consider:

Airline Partners: Qantas is part of the Oneworld alliance, while Virgin Australia is aligned with SkyTeam. This means that the airlines you prefer to fly with may influence your choice of program.
Earning Rates: Earning rates vary depending on the airline, fare class, and partner. It's essential to compare the earning rates for the flights and purchases you typically make.
Redemption Rates: Redemption rates also vary depending on the airline, destination, and time of year. Compare the number of points required for the flights you want to book.
Lounge Access: Both programs offer lounge access to higher-tier members. Qantas has a more extensive network of lounges, but Velocity offers access to partner airline lounges as well.
Credit Card Options: Both programs have a wide range of affiliated credit cards. Compare the sign-up bonuses, earning rates, and annual fees to find the best card for your needs. Consider what we offer when it comes to finding the best flights to use your points on.

Maximising Your Points and Status

Here are some tips for maximising your points and status:

Choose the Right Credit Card: Select a credit card that offers a high earning rate on your everyday spending and a generous sign-up bonus.
Take Advantage of Bonus Offers: Keep an eye out for bonus points offers from airlines and partners. These offers can significantly boost your points balance.
Consolidate Your Spending: Try to channel as much of your spending as possible through partners that earn points. This could include using a specific credit card for all your purchases or booking hotels and car rentals through partner websites.
Understand Status Credit Earning: Plan your flights strategically to maximise your Status Credit earning. Consider flying higher fare classes or taking longer routes to earn more credits.
Shop Through Online Portals: Use the Qantas or Velocity online shopping portals to earn extra points on your online purchases.

Tips for Redeeming Points Effectively

Redeeming points effectively can save you a significant amount of money on travel. Here are some tips:

Book in Advance: Reward seats and upgrades are often limited, so book well in advance, especially for popular destinations and travel periods.
Be Flexible with Your Dates: If your travel dates are flexible, you may be able to find more reward seat availability.
Consider Partner Airlines: Don't limit yourself to flights with Qantas or Virgin Australia. Explore options with partner airlines, which may have better availability or lower redemption rates.
Look for Stopovers: Consider adding a stopover to your itinerary to see more of the world for the same number of points.
Compare Redemption Options: Before redeeming your points, compare the value of different redemption options. For example, a flight may offer better value than merchandise from the Qantas Store or Velocity Rewards Store. Check out frequently asked questions about using your points for flights.

By understanding the ins and outs of Qantas Frequent Flyer and Velocity Frequent Flyer, you can effectively earn, maximise, and redeem points to unlock a world of travel rewards. Remember to choose the program that best suits your travel habits and spending patterns, and always be on the lookout for opportunities to earn bonus points and Status Credits.