Originally Posted by Melbourne Herald Sun

AIRLINES battling to fill seats are offering super deals to allow cash-strapped travellers to escape the financial crisis.

Qantas has released 1.5 million Frequent Flyer seats to stimulate Christmas travel.

The seats will be available on services to all capital city and popular Australian holiday destinations.

Family members, including grandparents and other relatives of club members, will be eligible to travel.

"The sale aims to stimulate travel within Australia and to encourage people to holiday at home this year," said Simon Hickey, the airline's head of Frequent Flyer business.

Qantas hopes to generate additional cashflow as would-be travellers transfer points from their credit card reward programs.

Thousands of Australians yesterday snapped up 50,000 "free" flights offered by Tiger Airlines as it celebrate its first birthday.

Qantas had a similar response to its 48-hour, two-for-one ticket sale this week where return economy tickets to London went for $3058, taxes included - almost $2000 below the cost of regular fares for two people.