Frequent Flyer Fanatics: Enda Mansfield
Virgin Australia's Enda Mansfield reveals how he maximises his points on everyday spending.
Enda Mansfield is the general manager of partner development at Virgin Australia's Velocity. He spoke with us about his favourite points hacks and the errors rookies make that drive him crazy.
Which frequent flyer program(s) do you belong to?
I have over the years joined many, many loyalty and frequent flyer programs, including:
- Velocity Frequent Flyer
- Delta SkyMiles
- Singapore Krisflyer
- Turkish Airlines Miles and Smiles
- South African Voyager
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
When did you first become a frequent flyer?
I first joined a frequent flyer program about 26 years ago when I lived in London. I specifically joined as I wanted to go to Paris (this was the days before the Eurotunnel) and realised that my grocery purchases at Sainsbury’s supermarket would get me there as I could earn British Airways AirMiles.
What's your current points goal?
My goal is always the same: to earn enough points to fly free to Europe.
What’s the best points hack you’ve ever used?
I have two and they are both relatively current:
1. The first is the AMEX Velocity Platinum Card. This has been a very kind card to me, both from the bonus 100,000 Velocity Points I earned when I took out the card as well as the ongoing strong earn rate it offers me. But best of all was the incentive it offers when my friends also took out a card. This is my main "go-to" card.
2. The second is eating out. I eat out two to three times per week and make it a rule to always book my restaurants via OpenTable at Velocity. Each booking gives me 300 points and so each month I am getting between 3,000 - 4,000 points from just doing what I do anyway. That’s the same as a free return flight to Fiji every year!
(Author's note: make sure to check out our guide on how to earn points when eating out for more tips!)
What is a points mistake that amateur frequent flyers make that drives you crazy?
Not thinking before acting. If I had a point for every time I have seen, or been told, of people buying online with the likes of eBay, StrawberryNet or The ICONIC and NOT earning Velocity Points because they forgot to go via the Velocity eStore, I would be flying first class to Europe!
I know that every time I make a purchase online, even if it’s a home delivery on a Friday night from Menulog, I check and make sure I earn points. This is the biggest rookie error I see and it does drive me just a little crazy.
finder's Frequent Flyer Fanatics series features frequent flyer and rewards experts from Australia and around the world. Check back every Wednesday for our freshest Frequent Flyer Fanatic and the latest points tips.