How Long Will It Take To Earn Frequent Flyer Rewards?

While many people may have a frequent flyer rewards card, redeeming flights from this option could take longer than the actual card application process.

Recent news reports have been condemning the current range of cards available, saying fees often outweigh the amount of points cardholders will earn.

But before cutting up a card or looking for a good balance transfer switch, it may be a good idea to look at the frequent flyer programs individually to see how many points are needed to get a free flight and how much you would need to charge to a range of credit cards.

Qantas Frequent Flyers

The Qantas Frequent Flyer program is still the most popular option for flight-based reward cards, with many offering free membership, including Westpac’s Earth cards.

To fly one way from Sydney to Los Angeles in economy would cost around 48,000 points, so if a card with a one point per dollar deal was used, $48,000 would need to be charged before this option was possible. On a card that offered 2 points per $1, like the HSBC Platinum Qantas card, $24,000 worth of charges would get you there.

Virgin Velocity Rewards

Virgin Money currently has two credit cards that offer Velocity reward points for purchase amounts.

A flight equivalent to the Qantas example above, from Sydney to LA, would cost 47,100 Velocity points plus tax, so roughly the same amount of spending would be needed if you used a Virgin Money card instead of a Qantas credit card option.

Emirates Skyward Miles

The Citibank Emirates Platinum card is linked to the Skyward Miles loyalty program, which has a lot of potential for international flights.

The most basic flight from Sydney to LA would cost only 7000 points and this credit card offers up to four points per $1, so you could be set to fly away if you spent just $1750 on the card.

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles

The Westpac Singapore Airlines Gold and Platinum cards offer one and 1.5 points per $1 respectively. To fly to LA with this option would be the most expensive choice of the list, at 50,000. However, Singapore Airlines is more specific to Asia, and a flight to Singapore would require only 27,000 points.

For someone who spends a lot of time travelling in Asia, or who would like to save up points to visit a country in that region, this credit card may be ideal.

Frequent flyer credit cards do have the potential to save you money on flights, but it is worthwhile considering how often the card will be used and how much the annual fee or interest rates could cost you.

By looking at the amount of points needed for a flight and comparing different cards you will be able to make a card choice that is right for you anywhere in the world.