Survey: Average Aussie sitting on 73,000 frequent flyer points, but many go unused
13 May,2025
New research from TravelInsurance.com.au reveals the average Aussie holds around 73,000 frequent flyer points, but most are failing to cash in.
The survey of 1,000 Australians found that one in four (26%) use their frequent flyer points for travel occasionally but don’t keep track of their balance. These are points typically earned from airline loyalty programs and rewards credit cards.
A further 18% of Aussies say they collect travel points regularly but rarely redeem them.mMeanwhile, 15% of people — equivalent to 3.2 million Australians — don’t understand howmfrequent flyer programs work.
Melbourne, Australia – November 19, 2012: Qantas Airways Airbus A380 registered VH-OQF takes off as QF93 to Los Angeles (LAX) from Melbourne International Airport at Tullamarine, Victoria.
Fortunately, the survey found that two in five Australians (41%) are maximising their points by earning and redeeming them strategically.
TravelInsurance.com.au CEO, Shaun McGowan, says there’s untapped value sitting in the average Aussie’s rewards account.
“The average Australian holds around 73,000 frequent flyer points. If you’re putting a dollar value on that, it could be worth anywhere from $500 to $3,000, depending on how you redeem them, which airline you use, and whether you fly economy or business class,” he says.
“Conservatively, that’s enough for several domestic flights or even a return trip to Asia. But it only delivers that value if you know how and when to use your points effectively. If you’re not tracking or redeeming them strategically, you could be leaving serious value behind.
The survey found that 22% of Australians don’t even know their points balance, so that’s thousands of dollars in unused travel sitting idle.”
Gen X and Millennials cash in, while Boomers and Gen Z let travel points slide
The survey found that Gen X and Millennials (both 44%) are leading the charge in maximising and strategically redeeming their frequent flyer points. They’re also more likely to hold point balances over 100,000.
In contrast, Boomers (30%) and Gen Z (27%) were more likely to say they use their points occasionally but don’t keep track of their balance. These groups are more likely to have balances under 10,000 points.
TravelInsurance.com.au’s 5 tips to maximise your frequent flyer points
1. Review your frequent flyer points balance regularly
Set a reminder to check your frequent flyer points balance at least once every 12 months.It’s a simple way to keep track of your earning rate and see how many points you’ve builtup to redeem on flights or other rewards. Keep in mind that with most travel programs, it’s a case of ‘use it or lose it’. You need to be earning or redeeming points regularly, or your points will expire.
2. Align your everyday spending
If you have a rewards credit card, you can earn frequent flyer points on everyday purchases like groceries, fuel, insurance and utility bills — and in some cases, even when paying rent. Just be sure to pay off the balance in full each month to avoid hefty interest charges. Plus, some rewards credit cards offer over 100,000 travel points when you sign up — you’ll just need to pay the annual fee and meet a minimum spend within the first few months.
3. Double dip on earning
You can earn bonus points by booking flights, hotels, or car hire through your airline’s shopping or travel partners — on top of the points you earn from your credit card. These bookings often come with bonus points promotions, and when combined with a points-earning credit card, you can effectively double-dip.
4. Compare redemption value
Not all points redemptions are equal. Flights — particularly upgrades or long-haul routes— tend to offer the highest dollar value per point. In most cases, using your points for flights beats redeeming them for merchandise, gift cards or cashback.
5. Link your frequent flyer number to all booking sites
Always add your frequent flyer number to your account or profile when booking flights, hotels, or car hire through third-party sites like Expedia or Webjet. Missing out on points because you forgot to link your account is one of the most common mistakes travellers make. Fortunately, most airlines allow you to claim missing points for eligible flights within a certain period after travel. Just log in to your frequent flyer account and submit a claim — make sure you have your flight details handy, as they’ll be listed on your e-ticket or boarding pass.
https://www.travelinsurance.com.au/
About the data: TravelInsurance.com.au commissioned the survey from Pureprofile in April 2025, with a nationally representative
