Ultimate set of Beginners Guides to Points, Rewards and Frequent Flyer Programs
Knowing how to get started with frequent flyer programs, rewards programs and points in general is really hard. There are heaps of deals, offers and things you can get caught up in.
We've collated all of the Point Hacks guides that are suited to people taking their first steps in earning more points and using them more effectively on this page - there's still quite a few, but these should help guide you toward the most used methods of earning more points and using them more effectively.
Earning Points
A beginner's guide to earning Velocity Points from hotel stays
I value this offer as giving you a 19% kickback on your accommodation.
Velocity Frequent Flyer redemption bonuses guide
A decent offer for New Zealand-based travellers who have a healthy balance of hotel program points and have a Velocity redemption in mind.
A comprehensive guide to fare classes for points earn and upgrades
The fare class you book into will determine your points and Status Points earn, and for some airlines, your chances of getting upgraded.
An introduction to the Marriott Bonvoy programme
Following the recently completed merger with SPG, it was time to revisit our guide on earning and redeeming points with Marriott Bonvoy, the new combined membership programme.
What to expect and do after applying for a credit card
Read this guide to ensure you always have a smooth process when looking to earn sign-up rewards points.
A beginner's guide to the Asia Miles program
Cathay Pacific’s loyalty program is useful for those who fly on Cathay Pacific and its partners like Qantas and Qatar Airways.
How to sign up for free Qantas Frequent Flyer membership
These links will save you and your friends and family $60 NZD for each person that signs up.
An introduction to the Qantas Online Mall
Qantas Online Mall allows Qantas frequent flyer members to earn points for purchases made online after signing in and clicking through to a range of retailers.
An introduction to Asia Miles - redeeming and earning Asia Miles in Australia
It’s harder to earn Asia Miles from day-to-day activities outside of Amex credit card spend in New Zealand, but Asia Miles redemption rates are cheaper than Qantas Frequent Flyer for oneworld flights, and as such it deserves your attention.
How to claim missing points from flights
Earning points and status can be half the fun of travel but, in many cases, points do not credit as they should. This guide seeks to quickly cover remedies where you have missed out on some or all of the points you were expecting.
A beginner's guide to flexible points currencies and the credit card rewards programs that offer them
Why we rate ‘flexible points programs’ – a beginners intro to flexible points currencies and the rewards programs that offer them, including American Express Membership Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest.
Using Velocity Family Pooling and Transfers to combine Velocity points and status between accounts
Velocity’s excellent and very useful ‘Family Pooling’ feature offers an easy way for couples and families to work together when trying to build their points and status balances.
An introduction to Air New Zealand Airpoints
Airpoints is the frequent flyer program of Air New Zealand. It has a lot of relevance for New Zealand frequent flyers, thanks to the wide Airpoints Dollars (APD) earning reach with Air New Zealand, Star […]
How to get your credit card annual fee reduced or waived
With all the change going on in the credit card market this year, many people are looking critically at the cards they hold and the value they are receiving from them. Annual fees are common and are usually where banks may be willing to incentivise customers to stay with them – these are our tips if you’re considering asking for a discount.
Hotel rewards demystified - everything you need to know to get started earning points from your hotel stays
Knowing how to navigate the world of hotel bookings for maximum return (points, cash, status and/or benefits) is a minefield, and is hard to get your head around at the best of times. Let’s try and demystify it and lay out some basic ways to earn rewards from your hotel stays.
Using Points
What is a reward seat and how does it work?
We review the variety of award type seats that can be booked using your points.
Velocity Frequent Flyer redemption bonuses guide
A decent offer for New Zealand-based travellers who have a healthy balance of hotel program points and have a Velocity redemption in mind.
How to choose the best seat on the plane
This beginner’s guide goes through the steps to pre-select your seat. It focuses on getting the most comfortable seat in Economy Class.
A beginner's guide to how and why to search by flexible dates
Singapore Airlines’ program has rolled out the ability to search availability across a seven-day period. Here is how to use it.
A guide to where to search for award space most efficiently
Now that AA allow searches for this airline, you no longer have to trawl day-by-day through the Qantas website. However, what will happen to award availability?
Beginner’s guide to using Airpoints Dollars for flights with Air New Zealand’s partners
Partner awards with Star Alliance airlines like Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and United can now be booked online using your Airpoints Dollars.
How to and why to transfer your points between Velocity and KrisFlyer
Come January 2019, you will need to transfer 15% more Velocity Points to get the same amount of KrisFlyer miles as now.
How and where to get most value from your points
Would you prefer using 55,000 points to be crammed in at the back of the plane or just over double that for a seat that turns into a bed?
Guide to Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia & Qantas Frequent Flyer Airline Partners
Knowing your airline partnerships in advance of making firm travel plans allows you to consider and explore the best ways of getting yourself from A to B. This is a must-read guide on getting to know key partners for Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, and Qantas.
Beginner's Guide: How to link Travel Partners to your American Express Membership Rewards account
Don’t wait until you need to make a redemption – link airline and hotel travel partners to your American Express Membership Rewards account today.
Flights, gift cards or toasters? With the exception of Airpoints Dollars, here is why I always use my points for travel – and for Economy flights
A first hand take on why it makes more sense to redeem points for travel, even in economy, instead of on gift cards or toasters – with a special exception being Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars.
How to fly around the world in Business Class for 280,000 Qantas Points with the oneworld classic award
Booking a oneworld Classic Flight Reward is one of the best ways to maximise the value of your Qantas Points.
Using Points Basics - Know Cathay Pacific Asia Miles & Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer for great redemption options
New Zealanders can earn miles with Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program, and Singapore Airlines Krisflyer, on everyday spend with an American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card. Understanding how you can use both programs effectively can yield some really good opportunities to get more out of your points with oneworld and Star Alliance airlines, respectively.
How to redeem Velocity points for Business & First Class flights to the US
The United States is one of the most popular routes for New Zealanders to redeem frequent flyer points, however, it is also one of the hardest routes to find Business Class or First Class award availability on due to high demand. Here are your best options for using Velocity Points fly across the Pacific.
An introduction to Air New Zealand Airpoints
Airpoints is the frequent flyer program of Air New Zealand. It has a lot of relevance for New Zealand frequent flyers, thanks to the wide Airpoints Dollars (APD) earning reach with Air New Zealand, Star […]
Using Asia Miles as an alternative for redeeming points for flights to the USA from New Zealand
Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program is a partner with American Express Membership Rewards, New Zealand’s only flexible point program. If the majority of your points come from credit card spend on your Amex, then an […]
Why you should target flexible programs and points that can be transferred where and when you need them
This post is the next in the series looking at the fundamentals of using your points – how to get the most value from them and ensure they are used effectively. It’s worth understanding that […]
Buying Points
Quick guide to using a credit card to buy Airpoints Dollars
Our home grown points currency can be bought and used for some good value awards with Air New Zealand’s Star Alliance partners— with a catch.
Using miles with AAdvantage to redeem for Trans-Tasman Business Class travel on Qantas or LAN
In this guide, we show you how you can use American Airlines’ AAdvantage progam for cheap Trans-Tasman Business Class flights with Qantas and LAN, particularly when travelling further afield to cities like Adelaide, Darwin and Perth.
