By Angelique Ruzicka, editor, Justmoney
Some travel reward schemes limit the way in which you can earn points. You usually have to be loyal to one airline or another but this appears to be changing, albeit slowly.
This week Diners Club SA launched its ClubMiles programme, which allows cardholders to benefit from points by booking with any airline, any seat at any time. ClubMiles can be redeemed for stays at over 45,000 hotels worldwide with car rentals early in 2015.
Some travel reward schemes limit the way in which you can earn points. You usually have to be loyal to one airline or another but this appears to be changing, albeit slowly.
This week Diners Club SA launched its ClubMiles programme, which allows cardholders to benefit from points by booking with any airline, any seat at any time. ClubMiles can be redeemed for stays at over 45,000 hotels worldwide with car rentals early in 2015.
“The loyalty programme market is a fiercely competitive arena and there are many frequent flyer systems in place. However, many of our cardholders require flexibility in choosing flight, seats with no block/blackout periods and flights to any destination. The number of airlines operating to and from South Africa has grown substantially over the years and the offerings need to keep pace,” says Ebrahim Matthews, managing director at Diners Club SA.
How does it work?
The programme is available to all Diners Club members who have a personal or corporate card that is in good standing. You can earn Club Miles by using your Diners Club card for purchases from everyday spend to travel and entertainment. Cardholders will not earn miles on fees, ATM cash withdrawals, cash advances, casino chips and fuel.
Platinum cardholders will earn one mile for every R7, 50 spent, while corporate cardholders will receive one mile for every R12 spent.
Fees
A Platinum Diners Club card will set you back R640 in annual card fees, then of course you have consider the withdrawal and deposit fees too.
Membership to the reward programme isn’t free either. To become a ClubMiles member, a membership fee of R180 a year per cardholder will be deducted at registration and then on card renewal going forward.
Membership to the reward programme isn’t free either. To become a ClubMiles member, a membership fee of R180 a year per cardholder will be deducted at registration and then on card renewal going forward.
Rocketmiles becomes new Avios collection partner
Another rewards programme that is enabling customers to earn more points is the Avios Travel Rewards Programme, thanks to a partnership deal made with holiday booking platform Rocketmiles. Members can now collect thousands of Avios on hotel bookings in South Africa and throughout the world, receiving 1,000 to 5,000 Avios for each hotel night booked through Rocketmiles.
To benefit, British Airways Executive Club and Avios Travel Rewards members have to find and book accommodation through Rocketmiles.
“We know that Avios collectors love to travel so what better way to reward them than with thousands of Avios to put towards their next trip away, simply for enjoying a relaxing stay in a hotel? Rocketmiles offers access to over 100,000 great quality hotels in cities around the world so there is something to suit every taste and occasion. And with such a generous collection rate, that next trip away will come round sooner than later,” says Dries Zietsman, general manager for Avios South Africa.
“We know that Avios collectors love to travel so what better way to reward them than with thousands of Avios to put towards their next trip away, simply for enjoying a relaxing stay in a hotel? Rocketmiles offers access to over 100,000 great quality hotels in cities around the world so there is something to suit every taste and occasion. And with such a generous collection rate, that next trip away will come round sooner than later,” says Dries Zietsman, general manager for Avios South Africa.
Fees
Customers do have to take into account the cost of joining the Avios loyalty programme. The Avios credit card has a few costs to consider including the R120 initial account fee and the R35 a month account fee. You get one Avios for every R10 spent.
For more about the Avios credit card and programme, click here.