Being a Frequent Flyer

Considering that I am not usually one for any kind of loyalty card (I don't want people knowing every little thing I buy!) — I am one for collecting frequent flyer points.

Now you may think that it's not worth joining up a 'rewards' programme if you are just making the one trip to Australia, but there are perks to be had!

The main reason it is a very good idea to sign up to a frequent flyer programme is that you can then usually call up the membership centre, or reservations, and book your seat request in advance.

For example, with Emirates, if you join their Skywards frequent flyer programme, you can then put in your seat requests as soon as you book your flight. This is particulaly handy if you are flying with infants or children, as you can try and ensure you get the bulk-head seats (the ones with the walls in front of them that take the skycots, and have a bit more room).

Of course, you can also collect your points and cash them in for rewards that include anything from hotels to day-trips, and of course, the much-coveted upgrade to Business Class. And they do work.

Like anything, you have to be flexible with what you want, but we have just cashed in our Krisflyer points (Singapore Airlines) for return tickets to New York flying Virgin, and all we had to pay was the taxes (£68 each). Not bad as a side effect of a couple of return flights to Australia, I don't think.

We have also successfully used our Emirates Skywards rewards to get an upgrade to Business class for the Dubai—London leg of our last trip to Australia, just by buying the few miles we were short of (which cost about £40 each). Definitely worth it!!

So have a look into the frequent flyer programme of the airline you are flying with to Australia and sign up — at the very least you should be able to reserve your choice of seats in advance.