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Frequent flyer memberships that are free

Discover which frequent flyer programs you can join for free and how you can avoid paying for those that do charge a fee.

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Shirley Liu
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Frequent flyer programs can be a great way to get rewards for every mile you fly with an airline, and for every dollar you spend with other program partners. However, sometimes these benefits come at the cost of a membership fee. In this guide, you can compare the frequent flyer schemes that are free to join and discover how you can dodge fees when joining programs like Qantas Frequent Flyer.

Frequent flyer and loyalty programs that are free to join

The following airline loyalty programs don’t charge a fee when you sign up:

How to join Qantas Frequent Flyer for free

The Qantas Frequent Flyer program is Australia’s most popular airline loyalty program. However, you usually have to pay a fee of $99.50 to join. Luckily there are a few ways you can join the Qantas Frequent Flyer scheme for free.

Want to compare more ways to sign up for free? See our guide to getting a free Qantas Frequent Flyer membership for more ideas.

These are just some of the programs that you can sign up for without forking out a fee. If you have your eyes set on another program that charges a membership fee, you should weigh up the value you’ll get from the program to determine whether you can justify paying the fee first.

Compare frequent flyer credit cards with no annual fee

Data updated regularly
Name Product Bonus points Rewards program Rewards points per $ spent Purchase rate Annual fee
Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard - Exclusive Offer
Exclusive
Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard - Exclusive Offer
10,000
Flybuys
0.5
0% p.a. for 12 months, reverts to 19.99% p.a.
$0
Finder Exclusive, ends 30 June 2021
Earn 10,000 bonus Flybuys points and save on interest charges with 0% p.a. on balance transfers and purchases for 12 months.
Go to site
More Info
Qantas American Express Discovery Card
Qantas American Express Discovery Card
N/A
Qantas Frequent Flyer
0.75
20.74% p.a.
$0
Earn 0.75 Qantas Points for your everyday purchases, uncapped, and pay $0 annual fee for the life of the card on this no-frills frequent flyer card.
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More Info
American Express Velocity Escape Card
American Express Velocity Escape Card
N/A
Velocity Frequent Flyer
0.75
20.74% p.a.
$0
Earn 0.75 Velocity Points on your everyday purchases, uncapped, and pay $0 annual fee for the life of the card with this no-frills frequent flyer card.
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More Info
BankVic Qantas Visa Credit Card
BankVic Qantas Visa Credit Card
N/A
Qantas Frequent Flyer
0.5
6.99% p.a. for 6 months, reverts to 16.95% p.a.
$0
Save with a $0 annual fee for life and 6.99% introductory rate on balance transfers. Plus, enjoy uncapped Qantas Points earning potential.
More Info
HSBC Premier World Mastercard
HSBC Premier World Mastercard
N/A
HSBC Rewards Plus
1
19.99% p.a.
$0
Offers a choice of either HSBC Rewards Plus or HSBC Qantas Rewards programs, complimentary travel insurance and a $0 annual fee.
More Info
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Business Credit Card
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Business Credit Card
80,000
Amplify Rewards / Qantas Frequent Flyer
1
19.49% p.a.
$0 annual fee for the first year ($89 p.a. thereafter)
Earn 80,000 bonus Amplify Points or 60,000 Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 90 days.
More Info
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Pictures: Shutterstock, Qantas

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50 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    JannaFebruary 8, 2020

    Does it cost money to join Sky Team Alliance frequent flyer programs?

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      AshFebruary 8, 2020

      Hi Janna,

      Thank you for contacting Finder.

      There is no Monthly/ Annual Membership Fee to enjoy the benefits of becoming a SkyTeam Frequent Flyer Member.

      I hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Ash

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    margaretOctober 24, 2016

    How do I sign up? I can see the sample but where do I actually fill in the form Thank you.

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      SallyOctober 25, 2016Staff

      Hi Margaret,

      Thanks for getting in touch.

      Just to confirm, you have come through to finder.com.au, not a frequent flyer website. However, if you can confirm which frequent flyer program you were hoping to sign up with (e.g. Qantas Frequent Flyer or Virgin Australia’s Velocity program), we can send the registration link to you.

      Cheers,

      Sally

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    SandraOctober 17, 2016

    There are 4 people in my family who travels together. My husband, myself and 2 children 19 and 15. Can I apply for one membership and incorporate their flight travel on this membership or do I have to open separate membership for each of us.

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      SallyOctober 18, 2016Staff

      Hi Sandra,

      Thanks for your question.

      While some frequent flyer memberships do allow family pooling (where you can link up separate family member’s accounts and pool all of the points in one account), you’d still need to sign up each family member individually.

      Did you have a particular frequent flyer program in mind? If so, we might be able to provide you with more information if you let us know which one it is.

      I hope this has helped.

      Cheers,

      Sally

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    DMcKinlayAugust 22, 2016

    can a nursing home have a rewards card in their name.

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      SallyAugust 22, 2016Staff

      Hi DMcKinlay,

      Thanks for your question.

      Usually, frequent flyer memberships need to be under one name. Depending on the program, some let you have more than one person under the one account in a pooling system. However, this is usually only permitted between family members.

      Cheers,

      Sally

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    ChrissieJune 10, 2016

    Can I join a frequent flyer programme, as I am travelling more often using Australian domestic Jetstar flights

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      SallyJune 10, 2016Staff

      Hi Chrissie,

      Thanks for getting in touch.

      You can browse frequent flyer programs and see which one you want to join. You can usually join these frequent flyer programs by signing up online.

      I hope this has helped.

      Cheers,

      Sally

      Reply
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