Five hacks for maximising reward points

Sometimes it can seem easier to clear your entire HECs debt than it is to accrue frequent flyer points on your favourite credit or store cards.

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However, for those willing to put in a little extra effort there's a heap of ways to fast track your travel goals. There’s a good a good chance you have the tools already in your wallet, but in the event you don’t, try these hacks for seeing your points take off.

1. Look at bills differently

Thought email was the most economic way to stay in touch with family and friends? Well, think again. Many frequent flyer membership programs offer additional points for using their partner of choice for your communication needs. These include Qantas which has teamed up with Vodafone to offer members additional points for members who sign up with the telco while Virgin has a deal with Sendle where you can earn points for every care package or dirty washing bundle you send via the logistics firm.

2. Ditch the fast food and live the high life

What could be better than being paid to eat? Which is effectively what you are doing if you use hand your frequent flyer card over to Dimmi or OpenTable prior to booking a meal at any one of around 3000 restaurants Australia-wide. Each booking can result in up to 300 frequent flyer points per person being added to your tally.

3. Date night at the movies or in front of the tele

There are few things more satisfying than the chance to escape reality with a blockbuster after a long day. But whether it’s date night at the movies or watching Deadpool on the tele, it’s worth noting that many frequent flyer programs (including Qantas and Virgin) offer additional points when you purchase movie tickets or take out a Presto TV subscription.

4. Get your mates to chip in for a rental

Chances are if you’re lucky enough to have a car while studying it may not be the most reliable vehicle to use on a road trip. For less than $40 each per day you and three mates can rent a decent late model rig that will not only deliver you safely to your destination but will reward you in the process. Hertz, Thrifty, Avis and Europcar are just some of the car companies that boast frequent flyer partnerships.

5. Go somewhere you don’t have to make your own bed

It’s not always easy to head for a weekend away when you’re on a student budget. But for roughly the same cost of a night spent at the campus bar, you can book a night in a nice hotel and earn up to 600 air miles per stay for your efforts. Airlines that have introduced these hotel partnerships include Qantas, Virgin, Emirates and Air New Zealand.