Friends With Money #276: How to maximise frequent flyer points
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Frequent flyer points have helped Australians score upgrades, free flights and luxury holidays for years, but is the points game still worth playing as rewards programs change?
On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by frequent flyer expert and author David Moloney to unpack the latest shake-up to credit card rewards and what it means for points collectors.
They discuss why points can still offer serious value, the easiest ways to boost your balance from everyday spending, and the common mistakes that can leave you worse off, including paying interest, chasing points for the sake of it and letting rewards sit unused for too long.
Episode timestamps
00:00 Introduction
01:08 How new RBA rules are changing rewards programs
02:10 Are frequent flyer points still worth collecting?
03:05 Why most points are now earned on the ground
04:13 The highest-return, lowest-effort strategy
05:45 Three simple ways to earn more points
07:29 Are points really free?
08:00 The dangers of credit card debt and rewards chasing
09:11 The hidden "lazy tax" points collectors pay
10:37 Why you should redeem points before they lose value
11:00 Conclusion
Enter now for your chance to win Points: Mastering the Game of Frequent Flyers by David Moloney
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What is the Friends With Money podcast?
Friends With Money is a weekly personal finance podcast by Money magazine, offering expert insights on investing, budgeting, superannuation, property, and other money strategies for everyday Australians.
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Who hosts Friends With Money?
Episodes are hosted by Vanessa Walker and Tom Watson from Money magazine, featuring expert guests and real conversations about money.
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Yes! It's designed to be accessible for beginners while still offering valuable insights for seasoned investors.
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New episodes are released weekly, so you can stay up to date with the latest financial tips and trends.
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