Friday's frequent flyer roundup

Buying miles in offshore frequent flyer programs sounds like a dodgy practice, but it’s completely above board and could save you thousands on your next business or first class flight with the likes of Qantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific or Malaysia Airlines.

Better yet, both US Airways and American Airlines are serving up bonus miles on purchases until July 31, so you’d better get in quick.

Also in today’s wrap: pick-up 7,500 points from only two Virgin America flights, and earn triple Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles when you stay with Hilton.

To cap things off, we take the Westpac Singapore Airlines Platinum cards for a spin – which earn up to three KrisFlyer miles per Aussie dollar spent.

Low-cost Qantas business, first class flights by buying American Airlines AAdvantage miles

Psst... wanna buy a Qantas business class return ticket to Hong Kong, Shanghai or Singapore for $1,800?

Business class on the Qantas Airbus A380

Savvy travellers can make this a reality by stocking up on American Airlines AAdvantage miles and redeeming them for award travel on Qantas flights, and with a 30% bonus offer happening right now, you’d better get in quick!

To sum it up in just a few words: you'll be flying business class for not much more than the cost of an economy ticket.

See how it’s done: Low-cost Qantas business, first class buying AA frequent flyer miles

7,500 free Virgin America Elevate frequent flyer points for new members

Heading to the States? Book with Virgin America, sign-up to Elevate, net 7,500 bonus frequent flyer points and make that first award flight a reality.

It couldn’t be simpler – your first Virgin America economy flight hoovers up 2,500 Elevate miles, and a flight in Main Cabin Select premium economy fleshes that out to an easy 7,500 miles.

Read more: 7,500 free Virgin America Elevate frequent flyer points in sign-up bonus

Earn triple Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles on Hilton stays

Members of Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer program can earn triple KrisFlyer miles on Hilton stays through September 30 2014.

Earn triple hotel points on the ground for a bed in the sky...

These come in addition to your usual haul of HHonors points, as the HHonors program lets guests earn both hotel points and airline miles with every stay.

Read more: Earn triple Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles on Hilton stays

Earn up to 2.25 AA miles per dollar spent on Aussie credit cards this month

Thanks to a new promotion through Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), Aussie American Express and Diners Club users can funnel their credit card points to AAdvantage through SPG and earn a nice 20% bonus on their haul.

At the top end of the scale, travellers can pick up 2.25 AA miles per dollar spent – and with Qantas business class flights to Asia just 35,000 miles plus taxes, it’s a real no-brainer.

Here’s how to boost your credit card points: Earn up to 2.25 AA miles per dollar spent on Aussie credit cards

Reviewed: Westpac Singapore Airlines Platinum cards

As the only direct-earning KrisFlyer cards in the Australian market, the Westpac Singapore Airlines Platinum cards come packed with features for frequent travellers to Asia and beyond.

Boasting both a Visa and an American Express card, you’ll earn 1.5 miles per dollar charged to the AMEX, while still earning some points through the wider Visa merchant network where AMEX isn’t accepted.

See why it’s our top pick for KrisFlyer earning: Westpac Singapore Airlines Platinum review

Buying US Airways Dividend Miles for low-cost Oneworld flights

Similar to American Airlines’ bonus miles promotion, US Airways is holding one of its own – but with double miles on offer to selected travellers.

With redemption options including cheap Qantas, Cathay Pacific and British Airways business and first class flights, some members are being offered the full 100% on all purchases, others earn it only when buying a higher number of miles and some miss out entirely.

See what’s on offer and whether you’ve been targeted: Buying US Airways Dividend Miles for low-cost Oneworld flights

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Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.