Which Frequent Flyer Programs Should You Join?

Almost every airline will offer some form of frequent flyer scheme, but which one is the best for Australian travellers?

Nowadays, most airlines will offer some sort of frequent flyer program with the hope of persuading passenger loyalty. These loyalty schemes allow members to earn points or miles that can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, hotel stays, shopping and more.

Interest in frequent flyer programs has grown exponentially, with the vast expanse of Australia often leaving air travel as the only realistic option. That combined with our overwhelming desire to explore beyond our island, in light of recent years. While signing up to a loyalty program like Qantas Frequent Flyer or Velocity Frequent Flyer is a key to avoid missing out, most travellers don’t take full advantage of their program’s benefits.

But with the myriad of loyalty clubs out there, not everyone has time to delve into the nitty-gritty of each airline’s program. In this guide, we explore some of the best frequent flyer programs for Australian travellers, so you can make an informed choice and start earning your way to first-class travel perks.

Should I bother joining a frequent flyer program?

If you’re going to get on a plane at some point, you might as well join a frequent flyer program. Even if you don’t plan to travel enough to enjoy benefits like priority boarding, airport lounge access and free upgrades, you’ll at least begin to build a points balance. After all, it’s not going to cost you anything to add your loyalty number to a booking.

Once you’ve racked up enough points or miles, you’ll have the option to trade them for discounted flights, business class upgrades, hotel stays and more.

Qantas Frequent Flyer

As well as running Australia’s largest airline, Qantas also operates Australia’s largest loyalty scheme. Membership normally attracts a $99.50 joining fee, although there are many ways to join for free.

the Qantas plane ready for take off — Qantas is Australia’s largest airline. (Image: Josh Withers)

Qantas Frequent Flyer makes it easy to earn points on your everyday spending, in addition to flying with the red roo and its airline partners. Members are also in for an impressive array of perks as they ascend through the elite status tiers of silver, gold, platinum and platinum one. You’ll also have the chance to unlock even more benefits with Qantas’ unique points club and green tier initiatives.

plane window seat on a Qantas flight — Qantas Frequent Flyer makes it easy to earn points. (Image: Joseph Bobadilla)

Why join Qantas Frequent Flyer?

Qantas is more than likely to have a domestic or international route to get you wherever you need to be. The airline also operates Australia’s largest lounge network, making it more than likely you’ll find somewhere to relax before boarding. Plus, as part of the oneworld airline alliance, Qantas members can earn and redeem points, as well as use their loyalty benefits with a myriad of global airlines.

a Qantas plane flying — Qantas can get you wherever you want to be. (Image: Troy Mortier)

Qantas points are perhaps the easiest airline loyalty points to earn in Australia, with a huge number of banking partners, as well as Woolworths, BP and other large businesses.

a Qantas plane on the ground — Qantas is part of the OneWorld airline alliance. (Image: Josh Withers)

What’s not so good about Qantas Frequent Flyer?

Booking flights with your Qantas points is becoming increasingly harder. The challenge is amplified on popular routes or during peak travel times when it’s nearly impossible to use your hard-earned points. As well as booking difficulties, Qantas is known to press high fuel and carrier surcharges on redemptions, especially for travel with airline partners.

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Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer

Virgin Australia wants to be Australia’s most loved airline, and they are well on their way with one of the best frequent flyer programs available today. The familiar status tiers of silver, gold and platinum exist with Velocity, who add some useful perks like free wi-fi and the ability to move to an earlier flight for free with elite status.

the tail of the Virgin Australia plane — Velocity Frequent Flyer is one of the best programs. (Image: Joseph Bobadilla)

Why join Velocity Frequent Flyer?

Velocity has an excellent family pooling feature that allows members to earn points and/or status credits in a single account with family members living at the same address. This makes it easier to reach rewards faster and unlock the benefits of elite status.

It is relatively easy to earn Velocity points on the ground, with Flybuys points easily transferred, as well as partnerships with 7/11 and other outlets. Reward seats are also typically easier to find than other programs.

the Virgin Australia plane flying — Earn Velocity points on a Virgin Australia flight. (Image: Nathan Dumlao)

What’s not so good about Velocity Frequent Flyer?

Virgin Australia isn’t part of a major airline alliance, meaning elite perks like lounge access will differ between airline partners.

the Virgin Australia plane about to land at sunset — It’s easy to book with Velocity points. (Image: Nick Sarvari)

Regional Express Rex Flyer

Regional Express has also launched its own frequent flyer program, Rex Flyer. While only new, it’s still a contender worthy of your loyalty. For frequent regional travellers, Rex Flyer is the ideal choice with a number of flights to and from Australia’s most remote towns.

Why join Rex Flyer?

Rex Flyer offers those with status complimentary upgrades to business class, as well as extra legroom seating when travelling in economy. For last-minute redemptions, Rex is best, with nearly every seat on the flight available for booking with points, between 24 and 48 hours before take-off.

What’s not so good about Rex Flyer?

Rex Flyer lacks any way to earn points apart from taking Rex flights. On 30 July 2024, the Rex Group entered voluntary administration, with all Rex domestic flights between major cities cancelled. All regional planes are still flying as scheduled. They have zero international flights. Their lounge network is also in desperate need of repair.

the Regional Express plane on the ground — Rex Flyer is the newest frequent flyer program. (Image: Josh Withers)

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Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Singapore Airlines operates a significant worldwide network, connecting Australia to Asia and beyond. The airline is synonymous with excellent service, even in economy class.

a Singapore Airlines plane flying — Singapore Airlines provides flights connecting Australia to Asia. (Image: Saif Zaman)

Why join Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer?

KrisFlyer is one of the easier overseas programs for earning in Australia. As well as a host of credit card transfer options, you can earn KrisFlyer miles for shopping online, on Virgin Australia flights as well as with other partners. They’re also a part of the Star Alliance network, giving even further access to perks, earning and redemption across some of the best global carriers.

the Singapore Airlines plane on the ground — You can earn KrisFlyer miles for shopping online. (Image: Goh Rhy Yan)

What’s not so good about KrisFlyer?

Remember to keep an eye on your KrisFlyer balance, as miles expire three years after they’re earned, rather than a rolling expiry period like other airlines adopt.

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles/Marco Polo

Explore the world via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific, which offers some of the best long-haul seating worldwide. The carrier operates in several Australian cities, with an enormous worldwide reach from a single connection.

Why join Cathay Pacific Asia Miles?

Asia Miles offers some of the best redemption rates in the industry, including for round-the-world bookings using points. Members can also readily earn miles in Australia, with several banking and hotel partners, as well as onboard Qantas Flights.

Cathay Pacific is also a oneworld alliance member, opening up redemption opportunities across the globe. Elite status members can also benefit from priority perks when travelling with oneworld airlines.

Cathay Pacific planes lined up on the runway — Fly via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific. (Image: Al Reile Dela Torre)

What’s not so good about Asia Miles?

If you want to unlock elite perks through Cathay Pacific, you will need to link up a separate Asia Miles and Marco Polo Club account, to earn both miles and status on each flight. This is unnecessarily complex for the everyday traveller.

a plane window view, Cathay Pacific — Unlock elite perks through Cathay Pacific. (Image: Kevin Bosc)

Discover the perfect road trip stopover between Perth and wine country.

Western Australia punches above its weight when it comes to coastal hot spots, but no other town or city has seen a tourism boom quite like Mandurah. Named Australia’s Top Tourism Town in 2023, it’s the relaxed, beachside break you’ve been searching for. And it’s perfectly placed, sitting between Margaret River and Perth, as it’s just a 55-minute drive from Perth’s CBD. Which is why we’ve put together your ultimate Mandurah guide.

Aerial view of Mandurah. — Plan your perfect coastal escape to Australia’s Top Tourism Town of 2023.

The best things to do in Mandurah

Wetlands and rivers, ocean and inlet; Mandurah’s laid-back lifestyle centres around the aquatic. Its waterways cover twice the ground of Sydney Harbour – measuring some 134 square kilometres in total – and form a unique environment for oceanic and estuarine flora and fauna to thrive.

In the city’s estuary lives perhaps the region’s most famed inhabitants – a resident pod of 100 bottlenose dolphins – and the inlet’s silty bottom is home to the prized blue manna crab. Spot the former breaching and playing on an hour-long dolphin cruise through the channels, or try your hand at catching the latter by wading through the estuary’s shallows with a scoop net in hand.

While swimming at the circular Kwillena Gabi Pool, chance encounters with the local wildlife aren’t uncommon. The sheltered estuarine pool takes its name from the traditional custodians of the land, the Bindjareb people, and directly translates to ‘dolphin waters’. Jutting out of the eastern foreshore, it’s enclosed by a ring of net-free floating pontoons, which allow the dolphins to swim freely through the attraction.

If that’s a little too close for comfort, book a kayak tour with Down Under Discoveries. The dolphins have been known to cruise beside the paddle-powered crafts, which are a fun, family-friendly way to explore the city’s inner waterways.

Dolphins swimming in Mandurah. — Watch dolphins glide by as you explore Mandurah.

You don’t have to be on the water to appreciate the coastal city’s aquatic beauty, with 600 kilometres of cycleways and scenic walking trails traversing Mandurah’s estuary, inlet and coast.

Follow the 30-kilometre coastal trail and you’ll come face to face with one of Thomas Dambo’s headline-making ‘Giants of Mandurah sculptures, Santi Ikto, along the way. There are five sculptures around Mandurah in total, hidden among gum-filled reserves or sitting sentry over the water.

Head to the Mandurah Visitor Centre to pick up a map to pinpoint their exact location and download the traveller’s companion to learn more about the sights along the way. Or join a three-hour e-bike tour from The Bike Kiosk and you’ll stop by two of the giants – Santi Ikto and Yaburgurt Winjan Cirkelstone – as you sightsee central Mandurah.

The towering Santi Ikto, one of Thomas Dambo’s iconic Giants of Mandurah. — Meet Santi Ikto, one of the legendary Giants of Mandurah.

Where to eat in Mandurah

Mandurah’s culinary scene reflects its laid-back lifestyle, with large, honest meals and locally brewed beer. After visiting Lake Clifton’s 2000-year-old thrombolites, head to the peppermint and gum-shaded beer garden at Thorny Devil Brewery. Tuck into a platter of house-smoked meats and an ale pulled fresh from the tanks. Closer to town and right on the waterfront is Boundary Island Brewery; here, woodfired pizza, pub-style seafood dishes and easy-drinking brews are centre stage.

On a Murray River Lunch Cruise, the focus is as much on the environment around you as the food you’re filling up on. Help yourself to the colourful salads and freshly cooked meats on the buffet as you meander up the winding, jarrah tree-lined waterway, stopping at the heritage Cooper’s Mill for a quick walking tour along the way.

Keep your eyes trained on the Creery Wetlands as you pass – you’ll spot much of the region’s migratory birdlife, and, as always, might see the playful bottlenose dolphins in the inlet.

The most memorable meals aren’t necessarily always the fanciest, and lunch aboard a self-skippered Mandurah BBQ Boat is a testament to that. All food and beverage prep is left up to you as you cruise through the canals, sausages and steaks sizzling away on the central hot plate.

If seafood is more your kind of fare, board the Wild Seafood Experience, where dolphin cruise meets long table lunch. Eight courses of crab, crayfish and scallops await.

A table filled with plates of crab, crayfish, and scallops. — Dine on the water with eight courses of ocean-fresh fare.

Where to stay in Mandurah

With so many waterways comes abundant waterside stays. Like the self-contained Seashells Mandurah on the shores of Comet Bay. The calm, oceanic outlook from the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and villas is as close to Maldivian as Mandurah gets. Families especially enjoy the property, bouncing between the protected cove and the beachfront pool for endless hours of fun.

The Sebel Mandurah, just a hop, skip and jump from the Mandurah Ocean Marina, has a different outlook entirely, overlooking the estuary and lively foreshore on the other side. It’s also within walking distance of the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, cinema and a swathe of waterfront bars and eateries.

But you can’t get any closer to the water than on a vessel from Mandurah Houseboats. You don’t need a skipper’s ticket to hire one, nor do you need comprehensive boating experience; just a full driver’s license and your undivided attention during the pre-departure tuition will do. Then you’re free to take to the estuaries and tributaries for a few nights of peaceful rest, surrounded by the very element that makes Mandurah so special.

A houseboat cruising in Mandurah along the river — Captain a houseboat to explore Mandurah at your own pace.

Plan your next WA getaway in Mandurah.

Which frequent flyer programs should you join in Australia?

Almost every airline will offer some form of frequent flyer scheme, but which one is the best for Australian travellers?

Should I bother joining a frequent flyer program?