This week's frequent flyer points roundup

By Chris C., July 21 2014

It’s a points bonanza this week with cheap Qantas Points up for grabs, which you can then swap for upgrades to business class from Sydney to Melbourne for only $22.50, or from Sydney to Hong Kong or Singapore for just $140.

Also in today’s wrap: how to earn triple Le Club Accorhotels points at selected Sofitel, Novotel and The Menzies properties, and double points everywhere else within the Asia Pacific region.

Finally, Qantas Frequent Flyer members are set to lose an airline partner from the program later this year – find out which airline it is below… but first:

How to: buy United miles for huge savings on business, first class flights

Psst… wanna buy a Singapore Airlines business class return ticket from Sydney to Singapore for $1,580, or a Bangkok round trip in first class on Thai Airways for just over $2,100?

Business class on Singapore Airlines' Airbus A330s

It’s a trick of incredibly savvy frequent flyers – stock up on miles with United MileagePlus during a great deal and redeem them for travel at the pointy end for less than the retail fare.

To sum it up in just a few words: you'll be flying business class for not much more than the cost of an economy ticket.

Be quick: United's latest discount offer winds up tomorrow!

Accor serves up double, triple points

Members of the Le Club Accorhotels loyalty program can grab double or even triple Le Club points on Accor stays in the Asia Pacific region.

Until September 30, guests at the Sofitel Brisbane Central, Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach, Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach and The Menzies Sydney reel in triple points.

Le Club members hoover up double points until November 1, which applies at the hotels above once the more generous triple points promo winds up – but you’ll need to register before your stay.

Don’t miss out: Accor serves up double Le Club points until November

Win one million Virgin Australia Velocity frequent flyer points

Not to be outdone by Qantas' recent giveaway of one million Qantas Points to ten lucky members of its frequent flyer scheme, Virgin Australia is joining the "one million points giveaway" gang.

Entry is simple – just add your email to Virgin Australia Holidays’ mailing list before July 31 and you’re in with a shot.

Enter now: Win one million Virgin Australia Velocity frequent flyer points
Also read: How would you spend one million Qantas Points?

Pocket an easy 10,000 Qantas Points for as little as $45

Savvy frequent flyer members could pocket an easy 10,000 Qantas Points by signing up for a cheap insurance policy through ANZ’s OnePath subsidiary.

At $7.40 per month for a qualified accountant, maintaining the policy for just six months would net those bonus points for as little as $45, which is enough for a return business class upgrade from Sydney to Melbourne on flexible fares.

Upgrade yourself for just $22.50: Pocket an easy 10,000 Qantas Points for as little as $45

Pick up 40,000 Qantas Points with Commonwealth Bank credit cards

Be quick: the Commonwealth Bank is paying out 40,000 Qantas Points to new customers applying for its Platinum Awards cards, with a half price annual fee to boot.

Business class to Hong Kong on the Qantas Airbus A380

That could see you paying just $140 for all 40,000 points, which is enough for an upgrade to business class from Sydney to either Singapore or Hong Kong.

Grab those easy points now: Commonwealth Bank Platinum Awards

Qantas: no more points on South African Airways flights

Qantas will pull the plug on its frequent flyer partnership with South African Airways from October 1, with points earning on SAA’s flights to vanish.

It’s the final nail in the coffin for the Qantas/SAA alliance, which earlier this year saw South African removing its code from Qantas’ daily Sydney-Johannesburg flight and instead hooking up with Virgin Australia.

See how it affects you: Qantas nixes frequent flyer partnership with South African Airways

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