Phone companies and ff points

[arun]

Looking at the amount of points that AT&T, MCI and sprint give to new customers (often between 5000 to 10000), I really wonder why our telecom companies aren't doing it (especially the mobile ones).

Telstra Telecard gives 4 QF points per dollar spent (it was 5 in those good old days). But no one else seems to be interested.

Any info from those who in the know is welcome.

 

[icemann]

Please tell me some more about this.

I'm asking this, because this is the general conversation that I had with QF regarding 'phonecards' linked to the QFF program. (not verbatim, it was a bit more civilised than this )

Icemann :- "Are there any phonecards I can use to call back home to oz when I'm on business ?"

QF Phone Consultant :- "Sorry, no".

(click).

 

[arun]

Telstra has Telstra Telecard. You can use this when you travel. If you visit Telstra website and search for Telecard you will get the details. Check the call charges. I believe it is the same as if you would call from Australia to that country. There might be cheaper cards available in the market, but I find Telecard useful as it is not a pre-paid card.
You can also make local and STD and I believe the charges are similar to the payphone charges.

The charges will come as a separate item in your Telstra phone bill (you need to have a telstra phone). You will get 4 QFF points for each dollar spent. I looked at the website today and they don't have anything about QFF points, but I called the Telstra customer service and they confirmed that 4 points are still awarded.

 

[redrat]

Yes, the Telecard is another beautifull FF point earner and most times I find it cheaper to use when calling cell phones from the USA to Australia. I use it anywhere where I'm not using a cell phone and when I've had to have the inclination I've dialled an Australian based ISP while in the islands so that I could get connectivity.
In most if not all cases the first number you dial is a toll free number thus mitigating the hotel bill.
I never see the bill as it goes back to the company but I certainly see the FF points every month.

 

[arun]

Just a word of caution -
Yes, Telstra has a toll-free number in most countries. However, one Hong Kong hotel (Royal Pacific) and probably Citilife in Auckland had surcharges. HK one was something like HK$16.00 per call. They had it clearly printed in the hotel info booklet. I ended up using the payphone next door for short calls. Check with the hotel to avoid any nasty surprises.

 

[thadocta]

The charges will come as a separate item in your Telstra phone bill (you need to have a telstra phone).

No you don't. I had aSmel$tra account, and had a Hel$tra TeleCard linked to it. Points came through, no dramas. Churned to Sloptus for local call telephony. Expected to keep on getting Smel$tra bills for Telecard calls. *Bzzzzt*, wrong answer. Call charges for calls made on Telecard appeared on Sloptus bill, and have done so for last 11 months.

Points for TeleCard activity haas also appeared at Qantas FF, even as recent as last month.

So it can't be put down to "billing delays", I would say that it is "Points creditted as it is a Hel$tra TeleCard" and "Smel$tra charges Sloptus for the money".

Dave

 

[arun]

Dave
Who is your fixed line provider. Is it Optus? In my case, my fixed line provider is Telstra and the Telecard charges go in to my Telstra bill.


Now, again to my original question - are there any mobile or fixed line providers giving bonus FF points (other than Telecard)?


Regards
Arun

 

[arun]

Altitude bonus points for Optus Mobile

I got a pamphlet today from Westpac. You will get 1 bonus point for every dollar you pay to Optus mobile. I have an optus mobile so I will pay that with my Altitude instead of AMEX. I hope they will extend that to fixed phone. I pay about $400 to $600 to Telstra every month. If Optus gives bonus points I may consider switching. I hope someone is listening....

 

[alien]

i dont recall getting that pamphlet. Might have to rng Westpac and find out. It might be worth switching.

 

[arun]

Alien, just to be sure - they are offering that to MOBiLE ONLY.