This week's frequent flyer round-up

Fancy flying to Hong Kong with Qantas or Cathay Pacific for only $1,812 in business class, or a Bangkok getaway with Thai Airways for just $2,110 in first class?

It’s done by buying Avianca LifeMiles and US Airways Dividend Miles on the cheap and then swapping them for heavily-discounted seats at the pointy end…

Also in this week’s wrap: how to earn Virgin Australia Velocity frequent flyer points when shopping at David Jones – even when browsing the shelves in-store rather than online.

To top things off, we’ll share how you could earn double points on your Qantas flights through to early next year plus how to bump yourself up to first class or even the A380 Suites when jetting off with Singapore Airlines.

ANZ to introduce points capping on its Qantas Frequent Flyer credit cards

ANZ will axe unlimited Qantas frequent flyer points from October when it introduces points capping restrictions on its range of Qantas-affiliated credit cards.

The changes also encourage spenders to move their transactions across from the higher-earning ANZ American Express cards to the companion ANZ Visa card, which can earn as little as half a point per dollar spent.

We’ll show you which ANZ cards are affected, how many points you’ll now be earning and where else to look if the new caps eat into your monthly swoop of frequent flyer points.

Read: ANZ to axe unlimited Qantas frequent flyer points on credit cards

Buying Avianca LifeMiles with a 100% bonus

Avianca’s award-winning promotion is back – buy miles throughout September and you’ll wind up with double what you paid for.

That could see you jetting to Bangkok and back in first class with Thai Airways for just $2,110, plus a small amount for the taxes levied upon redemption.

First class on Thai Airways from Australia: last chance

Through Avianca’s Star Alliance membership, LifeMiles members can swap their points for flights with Singapore Airlines, United, Air Canada and even for Thai’s first class suites before they disappear from Australia next month.

Here’s what you need to know: Avianca LifeMiles unlocks low-cost business, first class flights

Qantas serves up double frequent flyer points

Qantas is now offering a double serve of frequent flyer points on all bookings made from today, September 5 through to September 12.

The deal covers both domestic and international Qantas flights, plus Qantas codeshare bookings with its partners such as Emirates, China Airlines and Fiji Airways for travel through February 28 2015.

If you’re heading the U.K., Europe or to the United States, the double points on your business class fare comes out at a whopping 37,200 points – which certainly isn’t to be sniffed at!

Read more: Qantas unleashes double frequent flyer points deal

How to upgrade to first class and Suites with Singapore Airlines

On your next business trip to Singapore and beyond, why not burn through your stash of KrisFlyer miles on an upgrade to first class or the amazing Airbus A380 Suites?

Better yet, you can lock-in your first class upgrade weeks, or even months before your flight, which gives Singapore Airlines a one-up over Qantas’ lottery-like first class upgrades.

As always there are a few caveats to sidestep – we show you what to look out for and how to best nab that choice upgrade to first class.

Read our how-to guide: Upgrading to first class and A380 Suites with Singapore Airlines

Business class flights to Hong Kong only $1,812 with Cathay Pacific, Qantas

Planning a trip to Hong Kong? Do your homework and check out the US Airways Dividend Miles program, which is currently serving up a 100% bonus when buying miles online.

As US Airways is a member of Oneworld and a partner to both Qantas and Cathay Pacific, those miles can then be used to redeem for flights on either airline – even if you’re not flying anywhere near the USA.

Use your Dividend Miles to fly to Asia in business class with Qantas...

A return trek from Sydney to Hong Kong in business class sets you back 90,000 miles, which can be bought for only $1,812: thousands of dollars less than the retail fare.

See how it’s done: Buying US Airways Dividend Miles for low-cost Oneworld flights

Earn Virgin Australia frequent flyer points at David Jones

Members of Virgin Australia's Velocity Frequent Flyer program can now earn points when shopping online with David Jones.

Travellers can notch up two Velocity points per dollar if they begin their online shopping expedition from the airline's eStore website before filling their basket at David Jones.

And, if you double-up with a David Jones American Express card, your points haul will catapult.

Read more: Earn Virgin Australia frequent flyer points at David Jones

Pocket 50,000 Qantas frequent flyer points with Citibank

Citibank’s Citigold customers can earn 50,000 Qantas frequent flyer points by applying for the bank’s Qantas Signature Visa credit card.

Although Citigold is a wealth management service exclusive to Citibank’s top clients, if you’re in the door it’s only $49 each year to earn points on your new fantastic plastic.

Your $49 also gets you a free Priority Pass Standard lounge membership and free interstate and international travel insurance – but be quick, the deal ends at midnight on Friday September 5!

Read more: Pocket 50,000 Qantas frequent flyer points with Citibank

Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.