Frequent flyer programmes for not very frequent flyers

Hi everyone

Just wondering what programmes you guys use. We have:

  • Qantas: Pros: can pool family points; one earn/use activity keeps points active for another 18 months; easy enough to earn a few little points in NZ; when Qantas Australia store has sale it's quite reasonable to shop there. Cons: redemption rates are quite expensive, still have to pay a bit even for Aus domestic award flights.

  • Air NZ: can earn from a few places like Mitre10, Macpac, insurance; points don't expire if we have an Airpoints credit card, can pool points within family, can easily use points to get domestic flights (not even having to pay taxes or surcharges). Cons: earning rates from other airlines aren't great, redemption rates for international flights are expensive.

I'm thinking of getting another membership, not sure which one:

  • Singapore Airlines: We fly SQ at least once a year. Pros: can redeem online very easily saver award rates are great. Cons: can't family pool (except for transferring from children to one parent); points expire 3 years from accrual (we just don't have enough points to do anything).

  • United Airlines: Pros: points never expire; can use points to buy tickets for other people even when you don't go with them. Cons: We haven't flown to the US for a long time. When I had a lot of points with them before I redeemed with other partners so had to do on the phone.

  • Virgin: Pros: can family pool, one earn/use activity keeps points active for another 18 months. Cons: not easy to earn/use from NZ.

What do you guys use? Thanks.

Comments

  • I have both Qantas and Air New Zealand, plus Asia Miles. All the others are too hard to collect points when we are based in NZ. I think you can choose to collect airpoints when you fly with United. I collect qantas points when I fly with American Airlines. Or if you have Amex card, just leave them as membership rewards points until you know what to do with them. Haven't flown with Singapore Airlines for so long, don't know anything about their reward program.

    You don't have to sign up too many airline programs, there are only 3 main alliances and just sign up one of each from them and you should be able to collect points when you fly within the same alliance. Otherwise it takes too long before you have enough points to redeem anything.

    • Yeah, I know. I only want to get one more in the Star Alliance, because the Airpoints earning rate is so poor. I used to fly more frequently but haven't in the last few years (even before covid). I have quite a bit of traveling coming up this year. I'm considering signing up for the Amex Platinum card to make use of the bonus points.

  • Most of the other providers use "Fake currency" which I don't like they can just change the reward value at any time and you may not notice. I think AirNZ might be the only program that is 1:1.
    Would say go Qantas then your in the Oneworld alliance if you fly frequently and at least they serve trans tasman
    SQ is just Star alliance and you might as well use Airpoints.
    Paul Lucas uses Airpoints and he is based on the UK as a flight reviewer. Must be a decent deal if he uses it

  • What do you guys do with the points that going to expired? I have 5,000 points for each of these airlines - Qantas, Singapore Airline & Malaysia airline. It's seem like it's not enough to make a redeem/upgrade on any ticket etc? Can i convert it to something else or just have to let it expired? I'm about to book a flight ticket soon but dont think these point could do any help? Am also thinking to sign up one of the credit card deal to see whether i can combine the those bonus points to use these? Advice pleaseeee.

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