Frequent Flyer Programs

There are a myriad of frequent flyer programs out there, and some of them cross-link with other airlines, but not necessarily both ways... for example:

Some fares do not attract points, even though that airline usually allows you to accrue points! For Example: Taking some cheap deals on Singapore Airlines, or Cathay Pacific, they may state in the fare rules "No frequent flyer points apply" - this is usually because the fare is so good!

Most programs are free to join, with the notable exception of QANTAS. Below are links, and a brief summary (based on the point of view of travellers residing in Australia) of which airlines you can accrue points with:

You can accrue points on at least all flights with a flight designator or:

Qantas, Air Pacific, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Lan Chile, Aer Lingus, and on certain flights of El Al, Scandinavian,  Air Niugini, Alaskan, Alitalia & U.S Air.   Coming soon - Japan Airlines and Royal Jordanian.  Good credit card accrual links with Australian based cards through numerous programs. QANTAS FREQUENT FLYER.

Virgin Blue's Velocity program - accrue points for domestic flights on Virgin Blue, international flights on Pacific Blue, Emirates, Malaysia Airlines,  and Virgin Atlantic.  Linked to selected cards with the National Bank.  Velocity.

An excellent program, with accruability on all Star Alliance partners such as US Air, Air New Zealand, Austrian, Scandinavian, Lufthansa, Mexicana, Air Canada, Thai, Singapore Airlines, British Midland, Varig, South African. Also with the added carrier - Emirates. MILEAGE PLUS.

Again - this airline program has links with all the Star Alliance partner airlines, as per United (not Emirates though) - but has the added benefit of most Qantas flights being eligible as well ! EUROBONUS.

Their program has links with all the Star Alliance partners and US Air, and can be good for those tripping across the Tasman a lot. Also has a link with Virgin Atlantic. Has credit card links to some Australian based cards. AIR POINTS.

Again - with all the star alliance partners mentioned in United's listing above - also with links to Silk Air, Virgin Atlantic, Delta & Mexicana. KRISFLYER.

Accrue on Malaysian, and selected flights on Swissair, Northwest, KLM & Virgin Atlantic flights. Has credit card links to some Australian based cards. ENRICH.

Accrue points on Northwest, Northwest Link, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia, , Continental Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Korean Air. SKYTEAM GLOBAL ALLIANCE PARTNERS

Accrue points on Air Europa, Air Tahiti Nui, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, America West Airlines, American Eagle, Big Sky Airlines, Cebu Pacific, China Southern, Copa Airlines, Garuda Indonesia ,Gulfsteam International Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, Jetairways, Jetstar , Kenya Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Midwest Airlines. WORLDPERKS.

Earn points on Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz, Adria Airways, Air Creebec, Air New Zealand, Air One, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian (includes Austrian Arrows & Lauda Air), Bearskin Airlines, Blue1, brni, Calm Air, Canadian North, Croatia Airlines, First Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways, United Airlines, US Airways, and VARIG. AEROPLAN.

All the One World carriers mentiond above, plus Alaska Airlines, Japan Airlines and SN Brussels Airlines! EXECUTIVE CLUB.

South African's Voyageur program is all changing in April 2006 - Qantas will no longer be a partner, however all Star Alliance carriers will be joining.  Please see website for up to date carriers linked to this one.    Voyageur.

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Flying Blue - The Air France and KLM have joined forces and are part of the Skyteam programme. Other airlines which accrue points are China Southern, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Kenya Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Malev and Middle East airlines. No credit card links for Australian residents.

Good currently for travel on Philippine Airlines only.

  

Again, not linked to credit card programs for Australians, one can accrue points on Emirates and Sri Lankan Airlines flights world wide, and their program has links with , South African Airways, United Airlines, Continental, Japan Airlines, Delta + Korean.  It is free to join. Once you have clocked up enough miles, not hard to do .. you become silverstatus, and can take extra luggage allowance - on Emirates' flights!  Virgin Blue Velocity members can accrue points on   Emirates' flights.    SKYWARDS.

Thai's program is free to join and has all the Star Alliance carriers..

JAL Mileage Bank has links with AirFrance, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Dragon Air and Emirates. JAL will shortly join the One World programme and therefore be linked to Qantas late 06/early07.

An excellent program, with accruability on all Star Alliance partners such as Aeromar, Air China, Aloha Airlines, BWIA West Indies Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Shanghai Airlines and TACA Group. MILEAGE PLUS.