Hi, this is a good question. I have flown many many international flights all over the world, and have also never received any decent free flights.

I had been collecting points under the Miles & More (Lufthansa and star alliance partners) mostly through Thai & Lufthansa flights between Germany and New Zealand.I had enough points for a business class upgrade or a decent flight, but they decided to expire my points without warning. You can imagine this nerved me quite badly.

I have had similar experiences with Qantas.

My overall feeling is that the airpoints programs are a scam and they are ultimately in the airline's favour.

I think you're better off just taking the cheapest flights and not bothering with loyalty to any airline, for points or any other reason - the airlines will show you no loyalty!

Air point and frequent flyer schemes are generally a gib. On the surface they appear to be a decent reward for your loyalty to an airline but the fine print always read differently. Many people have been caught out accumulating points with multiple (& expensive) flights only to find they expire after a certain period of time. Often with little, if any, warning.

To earn any decent points you have to be flying at least every few months and clocking up a lot of miles. It can suit someone who travels a lot for work - especially if the company pays! But for most of us, it's hardly worth it. In the long run, keeping an eye on the budget air carriers is probably the best way to go.

if i were you i would always prefer bargain flights over the normal carriers. I usually travel a 3 to 4 times in a year and i really care about reaching my destination rather than having  a meal and wasting a hell lot of more money on normal carriers as compare to bargain flights

With the airpoints programs, you really need to read the fine print to see what their policies are regarding expiring points and the type of flight you can actually receive with your points.  A lot of times, the flights will be undesirable flights with lots of connections and/or layovers.  It would probably be best to check out websites which allow you to compare flight costs over a time period and choose the flight that works best to you.  Last minute sellers can give you deep discounts, but you may not get the flights you want.  (do not buy directly from the airport at the last minute, it will cost you an arm and a leg!!)