This week in frequent flyer news

By Chris C., March 13 2015

Up to 10,000 Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles are up for grabs this month, but travellers now need to side-step a few hoops to get their hands on the frequent flyer bounty.

Also this week, Qantas frequent flyers must now choose either status credits or Chauffeur Drive when jetting to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok with Emirates, while NAB tightens the screws on its range of Qantas and Virgin Australia credit cards.

To wind things up, we look at how frequent flyers points and your various loyalty cards can be combined for a perfect weekend away with your spouse or significant other, and for much less than you’d expect to otherwise pay.

NAB nixes frequent flyer points on credit card tax payments

NAB credit cards will no longer award frequent flyer points on payments to the Australian Taxation Office from May, while the number of points you can earn each month is also being reduced.

NAB Qantas Rewards and Qantas Rewards Premium see the current $100,000/month ceiling cut in half, while NAB Velocity Rewards and Velocity Rewards Premium cards have their potential haul slashed by 80% to earning points on $20,000 spent each month.

Emirates axes Chauffeur Drive for Qantas codeshare customers on Asia routes

Qantas frequent flyers are now forced to choose between status credits or complimentary chauffeur transfers when jetting to Asia with Emirates, with the airline no longer offering Chauffeur Drive perks to business and first class passengers flying with Emirates but booked under a Qantas QF flight number.

Affected are flights from Sydney to Bangkok, Brisbane to Singapore and Melbourne to both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Chauffeur Drive remains available on these routes when travelling on an Emirates EK flight number, whether the reservation was made via Emirates or Qantas (excluding on arrival or departure in Kuala Lumpur).

Singapore Airlines tightens up free KrisFlyer miles promotion

Singapore Airlines has tightened the application process for its KrisFlyer promotion that kicked off last week, which sees Australians joining the airline's frequent flyer scheme able to earn up to 10,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles.

Earlier this week the airline closed the special web page where travellers could join KrisFlyer and enter a promo code to active the deal, with that web address now redirecting to the airline's home page.

However a spokeswoman for Singapore Airlines assures Australian Business Traveller that the promotion is still running – only with stricter application criteria in place.

Here’s how you can still take part: Earn free KrisFlyer miles with SQ

Turning your frequent flyer points and status into a special weekend away

Frequent flyer points and lofty loyalty tiers go hand-in-hand with solo business travel, but they also pair well to create dream getaways in your downtime.

Whether that’s a quick getaway with your spouse or several weeks away sunbathing and working on your respective tans, here’s just one way to parlay your frequent flyer points and those shiny loyalty cards into an unforgettable adventure with your significant other.

Virgin Australia Velocity Gold: the unofficial guide

Gold status in Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program isn’t difficult to achieve for regular travellers that zip between capital cities at home or take longer journeys abroad.

Among the list of perks for Gold-grade flyers: access to Virgin Australia’s lounges and those of its partner airlines, priority check-in and boarding, and 75% more points on eligible flights.

Here’s how it’s done: Our guide Virgin Australia Velocity Gold

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