How planning your overseas trip can actually make you money
Collecting airline points is an obsession for many people.
And while credit card bonuses as well as being loyal to an airline are good ways to earn points, you can also hack your holidays to make sure they're boosting your balance too.
Here's how planning your overseas trip can actually make you money by gaining you points.
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When booking flights via Virgin Australia, you can earn five Velocity Points per $1 spend on all eligible fares. Nine
Booking flights
When booking flights, of course you can earn points.
How many depends not only on the class you fly but also they type of ticket you buy, such as if it's flexible.
For example. Virgin Australia offers five Velocity Points per $1 spend on all eligible domestic fares, New Zealand and international short haul flights.
You can also earn points on partner airlines of your airline too.
For example Virgin Australia has partnerships with include United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways.
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You can also earn points on partner airlines of Virgin Australia. These include United Airlines. iStock
Booking accommodation
If you book a stay via an airline's hotel partners you can gain points.
Be sure to book via the airline's site and make sure you enter your membership number.
With Velocity you can earn 600 points per stay outside Australia with IHG for example, and 1000 by staying at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.
Qantas also has its own hotel partnerships which can earn you points.
If you book a stay via an airline's hotel partners you can gain points. Getty
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Booking a hire car
You can earn points on car hire bookings by booking through your airline and entering your membership number.
How many depends on your level of membership.
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Buying travel outfits
Both Virgin Australia and Qantas have their own shopping portals.
A simple click can get you earning points on items you might need for your trip.
The Iconic, Seafolly and Cotton On Apple and Chemist Warehouse as well as Samsonite and Antler Luggage are among places you can earn points.
Plus each time you collect 1,000 Flybuys points from shops like Kmart and Coles, you can transfer them over to your Velocity account.
READ MORE: How one Aussie got enough Flybuys to go to the Olympics
Book cruises and you could boost your airline points. Supplied/Princess Cruises
Booking cruises
If your chosen holiday is a cruise, book it via your airlines website and you can earn points depending on your membership level.
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