Money

The best way to make use of your frequent flyer points right now

Published

3 years ago

July 11, 2022

Demand for air travel has soared, but trying to find seats using points is impossible. Here’s the best way to make use of your points

The cost of flying has soared as we all rush to get back into the air. The experts call it “revenge travel”, but we all make up for two years of restrictions.

But now airfares to popular international destinations have soared to more than double pre-pandemic levels. And if you’re trying to use your points to pay for flights, you’re probably finding it hard to book any seats.

So with all this unprecedented demand, what’s the best way to get the most from your points and get you back in the air?

If you’re organised, flexible and determined, you’ll do well. Steve Hui, from iFlyFlat has some ideas.

Singapore Airlines has more seats available than other airlines

The frequent flyer expert noted a common misconception around redemption rates right now, amid claims rates have quadrupled in some cases.

“The number of points for flights is still the same, it’s just that you can’t find seats right now,” says Steve Hui, from iFlyFlat.

What the airlines say

It’s worth noting how far in advance airlines release their rewards flights.

A Virgin Australia Group spokesperson said: “Velocity members can be savvy by taking advantage of discounted fares during sales and booking ahead with reward seats available more than 300 days in advance.”

The two main Australian frequent flyer schemes, Velocity and Qantas Frequent Flyer, have recently reported record points redemption rates.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has acknowledged airfare price hikes.

“Fuel prices have spiked and our fuel bill next year will be $1.8 billion more than it was before COVID,” said Joyce.

“At the same time, there’s still unbelievably low airfares out there. Jetstar had a $29 airfare sale yesterday [June 15], so you still can get very low air fares, but air fares will have to go up with the oil prices.”

Money

Stocks rally ahead of Thanksgiving as markets log four days of gains

Markets gain momentum ahead of Thanksgiving, with the Dow up 388 points and Oracle rising 4% amid investor optimism.

Published

3 weeks ago

November 27, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Markets gain momentum ahead of Thanksgiving, with the Dow up 388 points and Oracle rising 4% amid investor optimism.

Markets are moving into the Thanksgiving break with strong momentum, as stocks notch four straight days of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 388 points, while the S&P 500 added 0.9%, pushing both indexes toward their best week since June.

Oracle led major movers, rising more than 4% after Deutsche Bank reaffirmed its bullish outlook on the tech giant. Broad investor optimism continues building across sectors as economic data softens and earnings remain resilient.

All eyes are now on the Federal Reserve and what potential shifts in interest-rate policy may mean for the markets. U.S. markets will close Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday and reopen Friday for a shortened trading session.

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#Markets #Stocks #Thanksgiving #DowJones #SP500 #Oracle #FederalReserve #FinanceNews

Money

Dow surges 500 points amid rate cut optimism

Dow jumps 569 points on fresh hopes for December rate cut and AI market optimism

Published

3 weeks ago

November 26, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Dow jumps 569 points on fresh hopes for December rate cut and AI market optimism

In Short:
– Dow Jones rose 569 points, reflecting optimism for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut.
– Alphabet’s stock increased as Meta may invest in AI chips, but Nvidia’s declined amid market concerns.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 569 points or 1.2% on Tuesday, reflecting investor optimism for an upcoming Federal Reserve interest rate cut. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also posted gains, up 0.8% and 0.4% respectively. This represented a recovery from earlier losses, where the S&P 500 briefly fell by 0.7%.

Markets anticipate an 85% chance of a quarter-point rate cut in December, driven by comments from New York Fed President John Williams, who indicated the possibility of lower rates soon. Investor sentiment strengthened following reports that Kevin Hassett may be appointed as the next Fed chair, potentially resulting in a more lenient monetary policy.

Tech Sector

Alphabet saw its stock rise by over 1% after reports indicated that Meta Platforms might invest in its AI chips. This could signal increased demand for AI technology, benefiting the sector overall. However, Nvidia’s stock fell more than 3%, suggesting concerns about its dominance in the AI chip market.

Investors are also wary of the valuation of tech stocks. Despite recent gains, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq remain down over 1% and 3%, respectively, for November, while the Dow has lost more than 1% this month. The broader market’s performance indicates ongoing scrutiny regarding tech valuations amid changing economic expectations.

Money

Gold prices surge as Central Banks buy big, but risks grow ahead

Gold prices surge as central banks increase demand; risks include a stronger dollar and rising interest rates.

Published

3 weeks ago

November 25, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Gold prices surge as central banks increase demand; risks include a stronger dollar and rising interest rates.

Gold prices are climbing fast as central banks ramp up buying, pushing demand to its highest levels in years. The metal’s reputation as a safe haven is strengthening, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions and global financial uncertainty.

But experts warn the shine could fade. A stronger US dollar and the possibility of rising interest rates may weigh on momentum, making investors question how long the rally can last.

Dr Steven Enticott from CIA Tax breaks down the drivers behind gold’s surge—from ETF inflows to physical bar demand—and what could send the price sharply higher… or lower.

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#gold #markets #centralbanks #economy #finance #investing #interestRates #usdollar