Frequent flyer points are a great way to subsidise or cover a part of your air fares, and you can use them to redeem rewards. Travel hackers successfully visit dozens of countries without paying for their airfares. Other than flying, how can you earn more points for that overseas holidays you’ve been planning? You might be surprised at the number of ways you can earn more points as you go about your everyday routines.
The benefits of frequent flyer miles and points
Frequent flyer points offer two major benefits: cheap air tickets and rewards programs. With enough frequent flyer miles, you can pay for your air tickets and redeem rewards, depending on the program you’re signed up for. If you like luxury travel, you can use your points to cover the costs of first class flights. Most people probably wouldn’t turn down a freebie, so how can you get more cheap flights and free rewards by doing what you do every day?
How you can earn points every day
Buying your air tickets helps you earn frequent flyer miles and accumulate your points, but that’s not the only way to get more points. You could earn points doing everyday things like paying for lunch, using your credit cards, and shopping for groceries.
- Paying for lunch – Pay for lunch using your frequent flyer credit card and you’ll earn points every day. If you eat at a participating restaurant, you can also earn points just by dining there even if you pay by cash.
- Credit cards – Sign up for a credit card with a frequent flyer program and use it to pay for everything from your groceries to clothes and bills. Remember to pay off the balance each month before interest charges kick in. Note while credit cards with rewards programs cost more than no-fee credit cards in terms of annual membership fees, they can be well worth it if you recoup the cost in air tickets.
- Shopping – Shopping online at certain airline portals could help you accelerate your points earning. Examples include the Qantas Online Mall or the Velocity eStore. Research websites with frequent flyer points programs and get into the habit of shopping at these sites for your essentials, gifts, and things like Christmas shopping. However, avoid buying things for the sake of earning points; always buy things you’d be buying anyway.
- Pay your mortgage – If you have a frequent flyer card with a high limit, pay your mortgage or rent using your credit card and see the points escalating with each month.
- Pay tax – Use your frequent flyer credit card to pay your tax bill and earn extra points.
- Bills – Set up automatic credit card charges for your bills like gas, electricity, and water. Also use your rewards program card(s) to pay for things like house rates, insurance premiums, phone bills, internet, school fees, car registration, dental and medical appointments, and grooming.
- Other everyday spending – Use your credit card to pay for your everyday spending, from petrol and groceries to dinner and movies, and earn more.
- Double your points – You could earn extra points by doubling your points with some types of credit cards and rewards cards. Look out for special offers and sign up for newsletters to be notified when specials offers are on.
- Earn when you travel – Look for hotels that let you earn miles for each night you stay. Some hotels belong to programs like Rocketmiles, so seek out hotels that have a similar program and start earning points as you travel. Car rentals are another way to earn points, so look for rental companies that have partnerships with airlines.
Optimising your point earning efforts
If you spend more than you can afford just to earn more points, you’re defeating the purpose. Always pay off your credit card balances every month and track your balance so you’re not paying interest. Buy things you need and avoid spending beyond your means just to earn points. Never let a mile-earning opportunity go to waste, but if you’re overwhelmed, choose a few of the easiest ways for your daily routine and focus on these.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to have travel goals in mind and choose the airlines you prefer to fly with before you start earning points. Research each airline and the types of point programs they might have with financial institutions, restaurants, and other providers. This way, you can set a travel goal, find out how many points you need, and ensure you’re shopping and paying the right way.
Frequent flyer points are fantastic ways to enjoy cheaper holidays and have the cost of your air tickets covered. You can also use them to redeem rewards from airline stores. To earn more points every day, make sure you join the right points-earning programs, including credit card ones. Use these to pay for everything you can, and you could be well on your way to your favorite exotic destination.
SRG Finance is a trusted specialist in personal loans and cash advances. If you are going for holidays and you don’t have enough frequent flyer points, consider a personal loan from SRG Finance. Contact us today.
