In the first instalment of our ‘Reader Stories’ series, we speak to a traveller who’s no stranger to points hacking. Chris (@comeflywithchris) is always on the move and has plenty of tales to tell, but one in particular stands out. For his partner’s birthday, Chris redeemed Velocity Points to celebrate in the lavish confines of Etihad Airbus A380 First Class.
Even though Etihad and Velocity are no longer partners, it’s still a fascinating look at how readers, such as Chris, have turned points into once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Point Hacks Pro Tip: You can still redeem Etihad First Class through various means, such as transferring American Express Membership Rewards points to Etihad Guest. With Velocity Points, you can also still book Qatar Airways First Class on selected routes, or transfer your points to KrisFlyer to book Singapore Airlines First Class or Suites.
What’s the most memorable redemption you’ve done with points?
Chris: I would say the most memorable redemption was using Velocity points for two Etihad A380 Apartments to celebrate my partner’s birthday. The Etihad First Class flights were such an unforgettable experience!
At Abu Dhabi, Etihad’s First Class Lounge is stunning with tons of seating options to choose from, and a free massage to pamper yourself on the ground. The First Class cabin is in a 1-1 layout on the upper deck. With a seat and a bench (which turns into a bed) at your disposal, the ‘Apartments’ are truly gigantic.
To be honest, I have seen some signs of cost-cutting at Etihad, unfortunately. I saw some malfunctioning parts on the seat, and the wine list is not what you would expect from the Middle East. But, all things considered, it’s an absolute privilege to be flying them, especially on points with your loved ones!
What are some of the ways you earned points for that reward flight?
Chris: I have two main ways to earn Velocity Points. Firstly, I use the Amex Velocity Platinum – it really helps boost my Velocity balance each month with day-to-day shopping, now that more and more shops accept Amex at a reasonable surcharge. I also enjoy earning bonus points when booking Virgin Australia flights and ancillaries.
Secondly, I use Flybuys a lot. They run bonus points promotions most weeks, and buying gift cards during those promotions earns me some serious amounts of points. The last time I bought a new iPhone, I earned at least 15,000 Velocity Points too.
Westpac Altitude Qantas Black
What advice would you offer to people who are new to using points?
Chris: Try to dabble in 2-3 programs as a beginner and move your way up. Focusing on just one program will leave you with fewer redemption opportunities and a greater risk if the program decides to “enhance” (i.e. devalue) the redemption, as seen with Velocity earlier this year and what Qantas will be doing shortly.
Also, try to be as flexible as possible. Redemptions may appear more than 11 months in advance, but they can also appear as little as a week before departure. Working around the schedule means a greater chance of flying in the front of the plane.
Finally, never use points to purchase goods in rewards stores. It’s a terrible use of your hard-earned balance.
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All comments and opinions are provided independently by the contributing reader and may not necessarily reflect those of Point Hacks. All photos courtesy of the contributing reader.
