If you are looking to make a purchase from Apple, then it certainly pays to take a visit to an online mall linked to a frequent flyer program.
This is especially true from now until 18 December 2018, where bonus points are for grabs on a majority of Apple products through the Velocity eStore.
The following Velocity points will be earned per $ spent:
| Dates | Velocity points per $ |
|---|---|
| 23-26 November 2018 | 6 points per $ |
| 27 November - 18 December 2018 | 4 points per $ |
| From 19 December 2018 | 2 points per $ |
Apple Australia partners with the majority of shopping malls that are most relevant for Australian travellers and provides an opportunity to earn frequent flyer points from each purchase.
Unlike the past, you can now elect to pick-up your Apple product from your nearest Apple store, and if its available, you can get it immediately, otherwise you will need to wait for delivery. You can also elect to have it delivered to a partner retailer if an Apple store is not located near you, but again you will have to wait for delivery.
Given the vast number of online malls available, choosing the right online mall for you is not an easy task, especially when earn rates are not displayed in terms of per dollar spend or is based on a foreign currency earn rate, which is why we’ve broken it down for you in this guide.
How to earn points when shopping at Apple
This guide takes a look at the different earning opportunities available for online shopping mall purchases at Apple Australia, which incorporates both Apple Store and iTunes purchases.
You must have an Australian Apple ID in order to earn frequent flyer points from your purchase with Apple Australia.
The four frequent flyer malls covered are those travellers in Australia are most familiar with and include:
- Qantas Mall by Qantas
- Velocity eStore by Virgin Australia
- KrisFlyer Spree by Singapore Airlines
- Asia Miles iShop Cathay Pacific
How many points can I earn when shopping online with Apple?
Earn rates differ based on whether purchases are made for:
- Apple Store products, such as iPhones and MacBooks; or
- iTunes products
and, as such, earning tables are displayed for each type of purchase.
The table below shows the value obtained from crediting points to your frequent flyer program for each Apple Store purchase. You can read more about how we value points.
| APPLE PURCHASES | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earn Rate | Equiv Earn Rate/ AUD Spent | Value/Point | Value/AUD Spent | |
| Qantas Online Mall | 2 pts/AUD | 2 pts/AUD | 1.4 | 2.80 |
| Velocity eStore | 2 pts/AUD | 2 pts/AUD | 1.2 | 2.40 |
| KrisFlyer Spree | 15 miles/10 USD | 1.14 miles/AUD | 1.6 | 1.82 |
| Asia Miles iShop | 1.25 miles/USD | 0.95 miles/AUD | 1.7 | 1.62 |
To calculate the equivalent earn rate per AUD spent for KrisFlyer Spree and Asia Miles iShop that are quoted in USD, I have assumed an exchange rate of 0.76, which is the current rate as of today. As the rate changes, this will need to be factored into your calculations.
Based on my assumptions, Qantas Mall comes out on top, earning you 2.8 cents per dollar spent, with Velocity eStore coming in second. But please remember that the value you place on a point may well be different due to your own personal preferences on how you like to earn and redeem points. They are useful to generate a comparison though.
For iTunes purchases, the following earn rates apply:
| ITUNES PURCHASES | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earn Rate | Equiv Earn Rate per AUD Spent | Value/Point | Value/AUD Spent | |
| Qantas Online Mall | 3 pts/AUD | 3 pts/AUD | 1.4 | 4.20 |
| Velocity eStore | 2 pts/AUD | 2 pts/AUD | 1.2 | 2.40 |
| KrisFlyer Spree | 26 miles/10 USD | 1.98 miles/AUD | 1.6 | 3.17 |
| Asia Miles iShop | 3 miles/USD | 2.28 miles/AUD | 1.7 | 3.88 |
Qantas Mall again comes out on top, given the relatively generous earn rate of 3 points per dollar spent, however, Asia Miles iShop is also competitive on iTunes purchases.
Maximise your earn with iTunes gift cards
If you hold an American Express Platinum Edge card, you can maximise the number of points you earn from iTunes purchases by getting an iTunes gift card from either Coles or Woolworths, earning you 3 American Express points per dollar spent, and using the cards to make iTunes purchases.
This strategy also works for purchases at other retailers that sell gift cards through Coles and Woolworths, such as Myer, JB Hi-Fi and Flight Centre.
More details can be found in our guide to earning more points by using American Express & supermarket/gift cards for bonus points.
Other frequent flyer malls where Apple Australia purchases can earn you points
Aside from the four online malls presented in this guide, I was unable to find any other online mall that provides an Australian Apple or iTunes store. That includes airline malls for American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Japan Airlines, ANA, Air Canada and Air New Zealand.
If you know of another airline shopping mall not covered in this guide that includes an Apple and iTunes AU, please let me know!
Summing up
If you are in the market for an Apple or iTunes product, then making the purchase through an airline shopping mall can definitely be worth it, given that you can earn frequent flyer points on your purchase at no added cost to what you would pay at an Apple retail store.
It is especially valuable when making a large purchase, such as a MacBook or outright purchase of an iPhone.
And just a reminder to make sure to have your cookies enabled for such purchases, or else you run the risk that your purchase won’t be tracked and no points will be earned.
Feature image courtesy Apple.
Bought 2 iphone 11’s through Qantas Online Mall and got rejected for the bonus points,
their reason was “Bonus reward points not available for Apple Watch series 5, new 7th Gen iPad, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, Bose products, gift wrapping and gift cards”
The T&C on Qantas Mall is ambiguous. Agree that you should check first before buying
Also if buying through Online Mall, never call up the store to amend your order.
It will void the bonus points.
Thanks for sending through this tip! Definitely a good one for those looking for Qantas points.
You’re right about the retail price, it’s generally the same.
There are a few advantages of going through Apple directly however. These are:
Your chosen Apple product may not be available at a David Jones store near you, making it impossible to complete the purchase. This is due to their online mall not allowing you to complete the transaction without selecting a store, and if there is no stock at any of your local stores, no stores will be available for selection.
The simplicity of having a proof of purchase on their system, rather than having to provide it yourself if needed. However, as long as you have a good email filing system, this should not be a problem.
‘Links to the Apple Online Store products do not earn Qantas Points. iTUNES gift cards sold on the Apple Online Store are not eligible for Qantas Points. Links to iTUNES Gifts on the desktop or within iOS, however, are eligible for Qantas Points.’
I find this a little ambiguous. Does this mean that I’ll only earn points when I click the ‘shop now’ link and make a purchase through the Itunes desktop applications that opens up (rather than via the browser).
Many thanks
Matt
Yes, you have to open the iTunes desktop or mobile application via the Qantas Mall “Shop Now” button to earn Qantas points every time you want to make a purchase.
This is necessary since online shopping portals like Qantas Mall work by ensuring you’re logged in with your Frequent Flyer program credentials before being referred out to make a transaction over on the retailer’s website or App.