Qantas Frequent Flyer releases more details about loyalty program changes — here’s what to book now and what to book later
Australian airline Qantas has announced further details of upcoming changes to its loyalty program. As we have previously reported, some award rates and carrier-imposed surcharges will increase later this year, but the airline will also add additional award availability and new partner award tickets. The changes to Qantas Frequent Flyer will take effect Aug. 5. …
Australian airline Qantas has announced further details of upcoming changes to its loyalty program.
As we have previously reported, some award rates and carrier-imposed surcharges will increase later this year, but the airline will also add additional award availability and new partner award tickets. The changes to Qantas Frequent Flyer will take effect Aug. 5.
While Qantas points are fairly easy to earn, the program has never been highly valuable for redemptions — and these changes will make it even less valuable overall. Given the news, some redemptions should be booked now, while others would be better made later this year.
Here’s what you need to know about the changes so you can plan accordingly.
Related: Qantas first-class flight review: The most comfortable way to fly Down Under
Higher prices and surcharges for Classic Flight Rewards
For bookings made from Aug. 5 onward, Qantas will increase the cost of its cheapest saver-level redemptions (called Classic Flight Rewards) and saver-level upgrades for Qantas-operated flights by 5% to 20%, depending on the route.
On the shortest domestic routes — like from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Sydney Airport (SYD) — rates for Classic Flight Rewards will increase from 8,000 points to 9,200 points each way, with the fees, taxes and surcharges of 55 Australian dollars (around $35) remaining the same.
The price increase will be more substantial on long-haul services, such as Qantas business-class flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to SYD. Bookings made from Aug. 5 onward will rise from 108,600 to 130,100 Qantas points each way, and fees, taxes and surcharges will increase from approximately $300 to $400.
Classic Flight Rewards are often hard to find, especially on long-haul routes in premium cabins. This has been especially apparent since the airline launched dynamically priced Classic Plus Flight Rewards in 2024. These award tickets are tied to the cash price of a flight and are much more expensive, though more readily available.
Verdict: Book now.
Higher redemption rates for partner airlines
Qantas is a member of the Oneworld alliance, meaning you can redeem Qantas points on partner airlines like American Airlines, British Airways and Alaska Airlines. The airline also partners with carriers outside the Oneworld alliance, such as Air France, KLM and Emirates.
For bookings made from Aug. 5 onward, Emirates flights will be priced according to the Qantas award chart (rather than the partner award chart). Because of this, award rates and surcharges will increase for Emirates-operated flights, as with Qantas-operated flights.
Flights operated by American Airlines are also priced according to the Qantas award chart and will increase in all classes from Aug. 5. As an example, here are the economy-class rate increases:
| Current price | New price from Aug. 5 | |
| Flights up to 600 miles in length | 8,000 points | 9,200 points |
| Flights from 601 to 1,200 miles in length | 12,000 points | 13,800 points |
| Flights from 1,201 to 2,400 miles in length | 18,000 points | 20,700 points |
| Flights from 2,401 to 3,600 miles in length | 20,300 points | 23,300 points |
| Flights from 3,601 to 4,800 miles in length | 25,500 points | 29,000 points |
| Flights from 4,801 to 5,800 miles in length | 31,500 points | 36,200 points |
| Flights from 5,801 to 7,000 miles in length | 37,600 points | 43,200 points |
| Flights from 7,001 to 8,400 miles in length | 41,900 points | 48,200 points |
| Flights from 8,401 to 9,600 miles in length | 51,200 points | 58,900 points |
| Flights from 9,601 to 15,000 miles in length | 55,200 points | 63,500 points |
If you want to redeem Qantas points on Emirates or American Airlines, you should do so before prices rise in August.
Verdict: Book now.
Related: A step up from your average economy: Flying Emirates’ A380 from Dubai to Johannesburg
New premium economy award options
For the first time, starting in October, you can redeem Qantas points for premium economy seats on flights operated by Finnair, Air France, KLM and Iberia. Due to this change, the program promises to add 200,000 new premium economy award seats.
If you don’t have enough Qantas points to book business-class award seats on these airlines, you may wish to wait until August to book premium economy seats.
Verdict: Book later.
Related: Is Iberia premium economy worth it on the Airbus A330 from Madrid to Dallas?
New Classic Flight Rewards seats on Hawaiian Airlines
In advance of Hawaiian Airlines’ entry into the Oneworld alliance, you will be able to redeem Qantas points for flights on the airline starting in October.
Qantas promises 800,000 Hawaiian Airlines award seats will be available to Qantas Frequent Flyer members.
Verdict: Book later.
Related: A new era for Hawaiian Airlines as it launches Dreamliner service: TPG was on the inaugural
Round-the-world tickets
Qantas offers Oneworld Classic Flight Rewards for round-the-world itineraries. Up to 15 flights, totaling 35,000 miles flown, are allowed. You can also build in up to five stopovers for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The cost of these redemptions will increase for bookings from Aug. 5 as follows:
- Economy class: From 132,400 to 152,200 points
- Premium economy: From 249,699 to 287,000 points
- Business class: From 318,000 to 365,800 points
- First class: From 455,000 to 523,200 points.
It’s worth noting these round-the-world itineraries are very difficult to book, especially in business and first class, given the complex routing rules and limited availability, and should only be attempted by those with an advanced understanding of the program.
Fees, taxes and surcharges are also payable on all flights, potentially adding several thousand dollars to the cost depending on the routing and carriers.
Verdict: Book now, noting the difficulties.
Lower award prices for Jetstar flights
Jetstar is Qantas’ wholly owned low-cost subsidiary, comparable to Europe’s EasyJet regarding passenger experience, pricing, rules and restrictions. Jetstar is not an Oneworld alliance member, so partner points or miles cannot be used to book Jetstar flights (nor can you use non-Qantas Oneworld status).
You can already redeem Qantas points for Jetstar flights. However, from Aug. 1 on, the cost of Classic Flight Rewards seats on Jetstar for popular Australian routes like from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to SYD will drop to just 5,700 Qantas points.
If you want to get from point A to point B and are fine with using your Oneworld status benefits, this will be an inexpensive way to fly domestically within Australia.
Verdict: Book later.
Changes to earning points
In addition to the above pricing changes, Qantas will increase the number of points members earn on domestic cash tickets by up to 25%. The airline will also award additional points on select international tickets.
Earning Qantas points via credit cards
While there are no Qantas-branded credit cards available in the U.S., you can transfer rewards from three programs with transferable currencies directly to Qantas Frequent Flyer:
Each has a 1:1 transfer ratio, so 10,000 credit card points equal 10,000 Qantas points.
Additionally, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Qantas Frequent Flyer at a 3:1 ratio, meaning 3 Marriott Bonvoy points become 1 Qantas point. Marriott will also add 5,000 bonus points when you transfer 60,000 Bonvoy points to an airline.
Bottom line
Devaluations are an unfortunate reality of collecting points and miles. We recommend earning transferable points precisely because if one transfer partner devalues, you can always book with another.
These changes announced by Qantas represent higher prices and surcharges for both flights operated by Qantas and its partner airlines within and outside the Oneworld alliance.
However, there are some upsides. Qantas is giving members six months’ notice before any price increases. And, for the first time, members can book Hawaiian Airlines and premium economy award tickets on several partner airlines. But for flights that will increase in price, you should consider booking as soon as possible.
The Qantas Frequent Flyer program has never held much value given its higher redemption rates and limited saver-level award availability, even for its own members. These changes will likely make it even less valuable, even though the points are fairly easy to earn as a transfer partner of three major currencies.
