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.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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)

Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.

While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.

Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.

Getting there

car driving along Capricorn Way in queensland — Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.

Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.

Best accommodation in Clermont

Theresa CreekDam in clermont — Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.

Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.

To stay closer to town, opt for a central hotel to base yourself between exploring and fossicking, like Smart Stayzzz Inn and Clermont Country Motor Inn.

Things to do in Clermont

three people on a tour with Golden Prospecting — Join a tour with Golden Prospecting.

One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters, Four Mile, Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings. To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting. They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.

Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum. Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.

The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.

Bush Heli Services flying over clermont queensland — See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.

Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services. Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.

Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs. The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.

Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont

meal at Commercial Hotel — Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.

Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.

Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.

For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.

Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.

Discover more of The Mackay Isaac region, and start planning your trip at mackayisaac.com.

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?