If you are looking to make a purchase from Apple, then it certainly pays to take a visit to an online mall linked to a frequent flyer program.

This is especially true from now until 18 December 2018, where bonus points are for grabs on a majority of Apple products through the Velocity eStore.

The following Velocity points will be earned per $ spent:

DatesVelocity points per $
23-26 November 20186 points per $
27 November - 18 December 20184 points per $
From 19 December 20182 points per $

Apple Australia partners with the majority of shopping malls that are most relevant for Australian travellers and provides an opportunity to earn frequent flyer points from each purchase.

Unlike the past, you can now elect to pick-up your Apple product from your nearest Apple store, and if its available, you can get it immediately, otherwise you will need to wait for delivery. You can also elect to have it delivered to a partner retailer if an Apple store is not located near you, but again you will have to wait for delivery.

Given the vast number of online malls available, choosing the right online mall for you is not an easy task, especially when earn rates are not displayed in terms of per dollar spend or is based on a foreign currency earn rate, which is why we’ve broken it down for you in this guide.

How to earn points when shopping at Apple

This guide takes a look at the different earning opportunities available for online shopping mall purchases at Apple Australia, which incorporates both Apple Store and iTunes purchases.

You must have an Australian Apple ID in order to earn frequent flyer points from your purchase with Apple Australia.

The four frequent flyer malls covered are those travellers in Australia are most familiar with and include:

How many points can I earn when shopping online with Apple?

Earn rates differ based on whether purchases are made for:

  • Apple Store products, such as iPhones and MacBooks; or
  • iTunes products

and, as such, earning tables are displayed for each type of purchase.

The table below shows the value obtained from crediting points to your frequent flyer program for each Apple Store purchase. You can read more about how we value points.

APPLE PURCHASES
Earn RateEquiv Earn Rate/
AUD Spent
Value/PointValue/AUD Spent
Qantas Online Mall2 pts/AUD2 pts/AUD1.42.80
Velocity eStore2 pts/AUD2 pts/AUD1.22.40
KrisFlyer Spree15 miles/10 USD1.14 miles/AUD1.61.82
Asia Miles iShop1.25 miles/USD0.95 miles/AUD1.71.62

To calculate the equivalent earn rate per AUD spent for KrisFlyer Spree and Asia Miles iShop that are quoted in USD, I have assumed an exchange rate of 0.76, which is the current rate as of today. As the rate changes, this will need to be factored into your calculations.

Based on my assumptions, Qantas Mall comes out on top, earning you 2.8 cents per dollar spent, with Velocity eStore coming in second. But please remember that the value you place on a point may well be different due to your own personal preferences on how you like to earn and redeem points. They are useful to generate a comparison though.

For iTunes purchases, the following earn rates apply:

ITUNES PURCHASES
Earn RateEquiv Earn Rate per
AUD Spent
Value/PointValue/AUD Spent
Qantas Online Mall3 pts/AUD3 pts/AUD1.44.20
Velocity eStore2 pts/AUD2 pts/AUD1.22.40
KrisFlyer Spree26 miles/10 USD1.98 miles/AUD1.63.17
Asia Miles iShop3 miles/USD2.28 miles/AUD1.73.88

Qantas Mall again comes out on top, given the relatively generous earn rate of 3 points per dollar spent, however, Asia Miles iShop is also competitive on iTunes purchases.

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Maximise your earn with iTunes gift cards

If you hold an American Express Platinum Edge card, you can maximise the number of points you earn from iTunes purchases by getting an iTunes gift card from either Coles or Woolworths, earning you 3 American Express points per dollar spent, and using the cards to make iTunes purchases.

This strategy also works for purchases at other retailers that sell gift cards through Coles and Woolworths, such as Myer, JB Hi-Fi and Flight Centre.

More details can be found in our guide to earning more points by using American Express & supermarket/gift cards for bonus points.

Other frequent flyer malls where Apple Australia purchases can earn you points

Aside from the four online malls presented in this guide, I was unable to find any other online mall that provides an Australian Apple or iTunes store. That includes airline malls for American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Japan Airlines, ANA, Air Canada and Air New Zealand.

If you know of another airline shopping mall not covered in this guide that includes an Apple and iTunes AU, please let me know!

Summing up

If you are in the market for an Apple or iTunes product, then making the purchase through an airline shopping mall can definitely be worth it, given that you can earn frequent flyer points on your purchase at no added cost to what you would pay at an Apple retail store.

It is especially valuable when making a large purchase, such as a MacBook or outright purchase of an iPhone.

And just a reminder to make sure to have your cookies enabled for such purchases, or else you run the risk that your purchase won’t be tracked and no points will be earned.

Feature image courtesy Apple.

Bonus points available on Apple products through the Velocity eStore was last modified: February 2nd, 2022 by Daniel Sciberras