Hey FT Forums,

I had a browse through each forum, trying to find an FAQ (just to make sure I didn't violate any etiquette) and wasn't hugely successful, so apologies if this is either the wrong place, or a series of questions so often asked there's already a megathread about it, etc.

Basically, a few weeks ago I stumbled into the world of FF programs (having known they've always existed) and I am trying to find how I can learn a bit more and reduce the cost of my traveling using FF miles.

I am a young male, living in Australia, who goes overseas 1-2 times a year, and interstate 1-2 times a year. I'm planning a trip to the USA/Canada for the majority of January 2014, for reference. Reading about Travel Hacking Cartel, etc, I had this image of people manipulating the system in order to travel cheaply (if not essentially for free).

What I'm really stuck on is trying to ascertain what options are the best options for me - being in Australia restricts choice somewhat (I think), but I'm not really sure what programs are available (apart from Qantas and Velocity) and how to best take advantage of them (apart from spending). Trying to wade through massive amounts of new vocabulary and acronyms is doing my head in a bit!

At this point, my dreams of cheap international travel seem quite naive, and rather it seems expensive international travel could give me a few free flights around Australia each year.

If you were in my shoes (no FF programs, flexible with choices, happy to build habits to increase miles, more interested in reducing costs overall) what would you do? Where would you start? What options would best meet my aims?

I appreciate all help, advice, corrections, suggestions, questions and anecdotes.

Thanks a lot,

LonerMatt

LonerMatt Welcome to the forum (Aussie branch)

From a post on 2 Feb 2013
Freq flying is not about manipulation of the system, but using the rules to your advantage. "Travel Hacking" is not term used much on FT. Tends to be used by people who do not travel, but would like (hope) to game the system.

Many frequent flyer awards are far from free.

You can join many FFP's around the world. Not just those based in Australia.
With local ffp's you can get points by credit card spend & even grocery shopping at Woolworth by https://www.everydayrewards.com.au/ (Qantas & join QF ffp for free )
American Airlines [AA] is a good program as associated with Qantas & the OneWorld alliance
Virgin's Velocity freq flyer program has few overseas partner's (but is increasing)

Do not let the freq flyer points / miles get in the way of buying airfares at a reasonable cost is you fly only a few times a year. Only worth 1-2-3 cents per point/miles (ever persons valuation is different). And they often expire and get devalued.

Also look at
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-...post-here.html

There doesn't really seem to be many benefits to joining a FFP at this stage - that's why I'm reaching out for help.

There are loopholes that a person goes through (such as applying for credit cards, using them, etc, etc), but for someone like me (flies rarely) is it actually worth it?

Sure, asking woolworths to swipe a card when I shop there isn't much effort, but if all it gets me is $50 off a flight to Sydney and 5kg of baggage I wouldn't use anyway why bother? (especially since I usually only buy $50 of groceries a week, earning an amazing 20 points)

If this is true:
Then (to me) the logical extension is to not really bother and just buy airfares at reasonable prices.

Just thinking out loud, not putting forward an opinion, just articulating what I read back at the forum.

The reality is that if you don't have access to the signup bonuses they give for US credit cards, you need to spend quite a bit to earn a useful amount of miles/points. So to me it looks like you won't really benefit from much of the programs discussed here.

However what you will also find here are a lot of people posting about great deals in airfare and hotels. Those will save you money immediately.

And what also might benefit you is that some of the airline programs are regularly selling miles you can use for award flights. Especially if you want to fly in the premium these can be a good deal. But you really need to read the T&C's and posts about those here first. And they do still require quite a spend.

If you rarely fly/travel I wouldn't bother. You need to invest quite some time and that's not going to be worth it.

Buying US Airways miles has always been popular amongst Aussies, although their merger with AA will change things. By buying miles with them its only a little more than 2k USD to the US in business class with stopovers allowed en route

FFP's are for the long term.

If you buy an airfare based on price, then consider and/or look at which FFP you can put the miles/points. Most airlines have partner airlines. But some fares on airline A may earn zero or few miles with Airline B frequent flyer program.

The good thing about the the Australian Woolworth's Everyday card is that it keeps QF accounts alive. Is very good for the infrequent Qantas traveler who can have problems with the 18 month no activity points expiry rule. Expiry is common to many airline FFP's. There are similar ways with many FFP's to keep the miles/points from expiring.

On FT flying without getting miles/points is a heinous crime

But a good way to build up (future) AA miles ^

I started with FFPs as a student with limited budget and less than 1000 miles of flying a year. I will say it will be worth it. Don't go out of your way to get credit cards etc. but there is no harm starting to build up miles and take your own sweet time.

I took 3 years to book my first award ticket and have never looked back since.

Also consider cash-back rewards cards (assuming they're available in Australia) if you don't fly frequently and don't want to be tied to a single airline. Not glamorous, perhaps, but if you use the card for EVERYTHING and pay the bill off 100% at the end of each month, you'll accumulate a tidy sum of cash which you can apply to the purchase of your next airline ticket.

The key is not to get fixated on any one type of reward, but to find a combination (whether it's cash back, hotel points, frequent flyer miles, or something else) which works for you.