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Australia's two biggest frequent flyer programs (Qantas and Velocity) have over 26.2 million members. But many Australians waste their points or (shudder) let them expire. Finder can help you make the most of your points to score the best free flights and other great benefits.
Meet Finder's points experts
Frequent flyer credit card offers
Credit card sign-up bonuses are one of the fastest ways to earn a lot of points, with up to 150,000 bonus points on offer right now. Make sure you compare cards to find the one that's right for you.
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Australian frequent flyer programs
The Qantas Frequent Flyer program is the flying kangaroo's loyalty program which offers numerous ways to spend your Qantas Points, including flights, hotels, holidays, car rentals, rewards and more.
Virgin Australia's Velocity Frequent Flyer program is free and beloved by over 10 million people. Redeem your Velocity Points on flights, vacations, accommodation, car hire and other rewards.
How to earn Frequent Flyer Points without flying
Qantas and Virgin Australia are each partnered with a leading Australian supermarket where you can earn points for every grocery shop.
Hotels are another tool in the box you can use to earn more frequent flyer points.
Earn points on car rentals in Australia for every $1 spent or receive a lump sum for car hire overseas.
Frequently asked questions
How do frequent flyer points work?
Most Australian airline rewards programs are based around points. You typically earn points when you fly and you're rewarded with travel. As some of the biggest loyalty programs around, airlines often partner with other travel and nontravel brands, letting you accumulate more points at a faster rate.
How do I earn frequent flyer points?
You earn frequent flyer points typically by flying with your airline of choice. However, you can also earn points through other partners.
Qantas Frequent Flyer and Woolworths' Everyday Rewards are partnered, and Velocity Frequent Flyer and Flybuys (Coles) are partnered – making it easy for you to earn points on your grocery shopping.
How many frequent flyer points do I need for a flight?
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need millions of points to earn a flight. For a specific route, you'll be able to see in advance how many points you need to earn to take it for free. You can typically take a domestic flight in Australia for less than 10,000 points.
How long do frequent flyer points last?
Unfortunately, like many rewards programs, you will lose your points if you stop earning or spending points. Most airlines refer to this as balance inactivity and you typically have between 1-2 years to earn points or spend them on rewards to keep your account active.
What are frequent flyer points worth?
Most frequent flyer programs offer a range of rewards to cater to different members. Some of those rewards are going to be out of range for most members, while others aren't worth the points you spend on them.
The value of a point really depends on how you choose to spend them. We've calculated how much 1 Qantas Point is worth, but our general finding for most airlines is the same – you get the best value when you redeem your points on flights or upgrades.
Can I use points for an upgrade?
Yes. Most airlines, including Qantas and Virgin Australia, let you put in a request to upgrade your fare class with points. While not all requests are approved depending on availability, using your points for upgrades is generally a good way to get value from your points.
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