Earn 100,000 frequent flyer points without getting on a plane
Australian shoppers could earn enough frequent flyer points to fly to London or Los Angeles return each year.
Analysis from finder.com.au reveals they could earn up to 294,000 points across Virgin and Qantas frequent flyer programs without having to hop on a plane.
"Everyday activities such as signing up to a new mobile plan or switching insurers could earn you thousands of highly sought after reward points, thanks to competition between Qantas and Virgin Australia," says Bessie Hassan, money expert at finder.com.au.
"New bonus schemes have made collecting frequent flyer points easier than ever, with customers converting everyday transactions, such as going out to dinner or signing up at the gym, into points."
Switching insurance or credit card providers can also earn thousands of bonus points.
"If you are planning on signing up for a new product, shop around to see which provider offers bonus frequent flyer points or introductory offers, and you could earn yourself an international flight for free every year.
"This could be a win-win if you are planning on signing up regardless."
But Hassan encourages shoppers to read the fine print. "The attractive frequent flyer offer could be masking higher fees, a longer contract term or a higher credit card rate."
| Source of points | Methodology | Qantas points earned | Virgin points earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Explorer Card | 100,000 Membership Rewards bonus points on sign-up and $1500 spend in first 2 months. 1 for 1 Virgin Velocity points | 100,000 | |
| Qantas American Express Ultimate Card | 100,000 Qantas points on sign-up and $1500 spend in first 3 months | 100,000 | |
| Qudos Bank | 400 Qantas points per $1000 in savings. $44,887 in savings per Australian adult, according to APRA | 17,600 | |
| Virgin Restaurants | 300 Velocity points for every booking you make. Assuming 2 booking a month. Average $64 every 2 weeks on dinner. 1 point per $1 | 8864 | |
| Vodafone mobile plan | $50 per month, 12-month contract. 5000 on sign- up. $600 spend in total, 1 point per $1 | 5600 | |
| Snap Fitness | 3500 Qantas points on sign-up. 100 points per month. Around $80 per month, 1 point per $1 spent | 5660 | |
| Woolworths | Estimated $100 (minimum) per week on groceries, every 2000 Woolies points can be transferred to 870 Qantas points. 1 point per $1, $5200 in spending | 6940^ | |
| Coles | Estimated $100 (minimum) per week on groceries, every 2000 Coles (flybuys) points can be transferred to 870 Virgin Velocity points. 1 point per $1, $5200 in spending. | 6940^ | |
| Qantas Assure Health Insurance | Mid cover is $23.19 hospital and $6.83 for extras a week for a single person under 30. 2 Qantas points per $1 spent. Credit card spend, 1 point per $1
*further bonus points available for initial sign-up and app usage. |
*4683 | |
| Fuel and power | Average household spends $33 per week on fuel and power. 1 point per $1 on credit card | 1716 | 1716 |
| Qantas epiQure wine | 5000 bonus points for a $210 case of wine. Credit card spend 1 point per $1 | 5210 | |
| Macquarie car loans | 1 Qantas point for every $1 financed. Hyundai i30 - 2016 best-selling car. $20,990 base model. | 20,990 | |
| Home and contents insurance, Virgin Money | 5000 Velocity points on sign-up, and $396 annual insurance on a 2-bedroom apartment. Credit card 1 point per $1 | 5396 | |
| Comprehensive car insurance, Virgin Money | 5000 Velocity points on sign-up, and $818 annual insurance on the Hyundai i30. Credit card 1 point per $1 | 5818 | |
| Petinsurance.com.au | Insurance for a 2-year-old pug covering illness and routine care, $73 per month, 3 points per $1 | 2628 | |
| Total | 163,716 points | 131,362 points |
#Points are allocated according to whole numbers. ^Includes frequent flyer points earnt on credit card transaction.
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