Amanda Smith
Qantas Frequent Flyer is a points program that rewards Aussie travellers for flying and buying products within the airline’s network. If you already fly with Qantas — or plan to do so in the future — you may have already considered becoming a member. In this guide, we’ll cover what you should know about the program and how Qantas points work.
Key takeaways:
- Qantas is the most popular airline for Australian travellers, flying to over 95 Australian destinations and over 1,300 destinations worldwide.
- Qantas was named the world’s safest airline in 2023 and the fifth best airline globally in 2022 (according to Skytrax World’s Best Airline list).
- Frequent flyer members earn Qantas points in several ways, from shopping and using an affiliated credit card to booking travel.
- Members use Qantas points — or a combination of points and cash through Points Plus Pay — to travel for less (or for free).
About Qantas
Qantas Frequent Flyer has been the airline’s official loyalty program since its launch in 1987. More than 15 million Australians — nearly 60% of the population — earn Qantas rewards. Frequent flyer program members earn points through affiliated credit cards and use them to reduce the cost of Qantas flights.
Who may benefit
Australian travellers who want to access discounts and deals on Qantas flights, access Qantas airport lounges, and like flying with a premium airline are especially well-suited for the program.
Still, the Qantas Frequent Flyer program is likely best for travellers who fly Qantas and its partner airlines (such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, American Airlines, and Emirates) in the oneworld Alliance.
How to join
You can join online easily if you live in Australia or New Zealand.
There’s a $99.50 sign-up fee but no additional eligibility requirements. There are ways to bypass the joining fee, like signing up for cards with a free membership — such as the ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum Card or the Qantas Money global currency card.
After joining, Qantas will assign you a member number and physical card. If you live overseas, you can still become a member but won’t be issued a physical card. Once a member, you can download the Qantas App to check the number of points you accrue.
Membership tiers and status credits
Qantas Frequent Flyer has a five-tier membership, so earning and using points may benefit both casual and regular business travellers.
Qantas Frequent Flyer membership tiers:
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
- Platinum
- Platinum One
All new members start on Bronze, but you can move up the ladder by earning Status Credits through your flying habits.
Status Credits are different from Qantas Points. The more you fly, the higher you rise in the tiers. For example, Platinum One comes with perks such as seat selection, no booking fees, priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, lounge access and other upgrades.
How to earn Qantas points with a credit card
The primary way to earn points is by using a Qantas-affiliated credit card. The two fastest ways are through:
- Signing up to a Qantas-affiliated credit card with a welcome bonus
- Using the card to earn points on eligible spending.
Qantas credit cards typically have generous welcome offers ranging from a few thousand Qantas Frequent Flyer points to 150,000. The points earned rate also varies greatly, from 0.4 points per dollar spent to up to two points per dollar. Generally speaking, the more premium the card, the greater the points offered.
Other ways to earn Qantas points
Beyond credit cards, you can earn Qantas points by:
- booking accommodation, car hire and activities through Qantas
- booking your Airbnb through Qantas Hotels
- shopping at Qantas stores or with partner brands (BP, Woolworths and Optus), as well as Wellbeing Partners (HelloFresh, Rebel, Endota Spa, for example.)
- getting health insurance through Qantas Health Insurance
- using certain subscription services
- buying Qantas Points in blocks of 1,000 through the top-up points feature.
How many points can you earn?
Here are a few examples of how many Qantas points you can earn for different activities:
- 13,500 points by booking a Qantas return flight (economy) from Sydney to Los Angeles.
- 1,600 points by booking an economy-class return flight (assuming a minimum of 800 points per flight for Jetstar flights).
- 140,000 points by joining Qantas Insurance for your health policy.
- 500 bonus points on your first Airbnb booking through Qantas (plus, you’ll earn one point per $1 spent on your booking).
- 100 points by filling up a 50-litre fuel tank at BP (based on a rate of two points per litre). You can also earn 1 point per $1 spent on eligible in-store products.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
There are benefits to shopping directly with Qantas, either on the Qantas website or within their partner ecosystem. It might require minor tweaks to where and how you shop, but this could help you earn more points quickly. Regularly log into your Frequent Flyer account and check for new ways to earn points. Do this as you’re planning each trip, domestic and international.
How to use and redeem Qantas points
When it’s time to cash in your points, you have plenty of redemption options. Use your points towards:
- Free or discounted flights. Use your points via Classic Flight Rewards (limited route, fixed points) and Classic Plus Flight Rewards (widespread fares, points fluctuate with fares), or use the Points Plus Pay option. The Qantas Points Calculator is a helpful tool for showing you how far your points will take you.
- Flight upgrades on domestic and international trips. Use the Qantas Points Calculator to see the points required for each cabin upgrade. For example, on a return flight from Sydney to Los Angeles, you can upgrade to Premium Economy for 98,200 points or Business Class for 110,600 points.
- Free or discounted accommodation. Use your points to book a hotel or Airbnb.
- Travel perks. Reduced rates on travel expenses, such as insurance, car hire, tours and other activities, can save you money on your trip.
- Qantas Marketplace shopping is where you can buy wine and get exclusive access to events and experiences while travelling and at home.
- Other special offers. If you’re not travelling, you can enjoy the benefits in other ways. Check the current membership portal for the latest offers, and remember that availability often changes from one day to the next.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
If reducing travel costs is your goal, use your Qantas Frequent Flyer points for the two most significant expenses — flights and accommodation. These areas typically provide the most value for your points.
Credit cards that earn Qantas points
Qantas credit cards are available directly through the airline and as co-branded products through Australian banks, including the Big Four banks and some smaller alternatives. Here’s what to know
How to find and compare Qantas credit card options
You can use this list provided by Qantas to find available options. Alternatively, you can search directly with your bank or another credit card provider by looking at the ‘rewards’ or ‘frequent flyer’ credit card categories.
Qantas card examples:
- Qantas Premier Titanium
- Qantas Premier Platinum
Co-branded card examples:
- CommBank Ultimate Awards
- Westpac Altitude Qantas Black
- NAB Qantas Rewards
- ANZ Frequent Flyer Black
- Citi Prestige Qantas Card
- St. George Amplify Qantas
- Bankwest Qantas Platinum.
When comparing options, weigh up the benefits and decide what’s most important to you. Popular perks include Qantas fare discounts, complimentary Qantas Club lounge passes, free travel insurance, and a free night for hotel bookings.
How to maximise a credit card’s Qantas earnings
Once you have a card, you can earn points by using it for everyday spending. Here’s how to maximise your Qantas Frequent Flyer points-earning potential:
- Use your credit card for purchases wherever and whenever possible, then pay it off in full at the end of the month to avoid interest.
- Set up your rewards card for all direct debits and autopayments.
- Add your card to your phone’s mobile wallet.
- Shop with Qantas partners for additional points.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Remember to link your Qantas Frequent Flyer number to your credit card. Check that your card is connected to your Qantas Frequent Flyer membership. Log into your Qantas account, online or via the app, to link points-earning credit cards.
What to consider before joining Qantas
If Qantas is your airline of choice, consider becoming a frequent flyer. You’ll feel rewarded for the flights you’re already taking, which could make your trips much more comfortable. However, even if you don’t travel often, the program may still be worth joining just to earn rewards points — provided you can afford the membership cost.
Here’s what to consider:
Pros
- Qantas Frequent Flyer is the largest and longest-running travel rewards program in Australia.
- Qantas is an iconic Aussie airline with a stellar safety record. It has long been viewed as one of the world’s safest, highest-quality airlines.
- Qantas is part of oneworld, meaning you’ll also earn points when you fly with partner airlines in the alliance.
- You can choose from many banking partners to find Qantas-affiliated credit cards with large welcome offers — sometimes boasting enough bonus points to get a free return flight overseas.
- Frequent flyer points are extra special in Australia, given our long-haul flights and 24-hour travel times.
- The $99 membership fee can more or less ‘pay for itself’ over time — especially if you become a member for free through a credit card you’ve already planned to get.
Cons
- Qantas flights are usually more expensive, so it may be harder to save enough points.
- If inactive, points expire within 18 months — not 24 months, like Velocity.
- You have to shop with specific partners that mightn’t be your first preference.
- Rewards credit cards often come with higher fees. Low-rate, low-fee cards don’t typically offer frequent flyer program rewards.
- Signing up for a credit card because of the bonus points on offer is a slippery slope. Points ‘hacking’ and credit card ‘churning’ may even cost you more — in fees, stress, and credit score damage.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can earn points as long as you have a Qantas Frequent Flyer membership, but it will take much longer to accrue a substantial balance. Some other ways to do this include booking flights with Qantas (and partners), booking your Airbnb through Qantas Hotels, getting health insurance through Qantas Health Insurance, and using certain subscription services.
There’s also a top-up points feature, where you can buy Qantas Points in blocks of 1,000.
Yes, but your Qantas points won’t expire as long as you continue to earn or use them on eligible activities at least once every 18 months. In other words, if your account is active with a linked credit card or eligible activities earning you points, they won’t expire. Set a reminder to log into your Frequent Flyer account at least once a quarter to check the status.
As you accrue points and work up the status tiers, you’ll gain access to the Qantas Club (the airport lounge membership program), available from the Silver tier up. Points Club is for Qantas Frequent Flyer members who earn 150,000 or 350,000 (Points Club Plus) points annually — accrued through expenses or from flying. Frequent travellers and individuals earning points through their most significant monthly expenses are most likely to reach this status — for example, a business owner paying bills on a Qantas-affiliated credit card to earn points.
It’s important to note that reaching Platinum One status is no easy feat. Serious flyers only reach this status. If you do a couple of small trips per year and a major annual holiday, you’re better off aiming for Silver or Gold Status. You’ll still enjoy an elevated travel experience and great perks.
About the Author
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