Is it worth joining the Qantas frequent flyer program? What are the benefits? We explain, no matter how often you fly, why it is worth joining the loyalty program of Australia's national carrier.
Why Join?
There are numerous benefits to joining the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program besides free flight rewards. Of course, this is the main reason why most people join.
By joining you will earn frequent flyer points which you can use in various ways. The main use is on reward flights or flight upgrades. You will also be awarded status credits for flying. The higher your status the more perks you get.
The main concept of the program is to reward loyalty. The more you fly and shop through Qantas and its partners the more points and status credits you accumulate.
Qantas Frequent Flyer Points
There is a saying, take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves. The same applies to frequent flyer points.
Earn a few here, then a couple of more there, and before you know it you have enough points to redeem on reward flights or a flight upgrade.
How to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer Points?
You can earn frequent flyer points through flying and purchases through Qantas or one of their partners.
- Flying: Earn points on eligible flights with Qantas and 15 other airlines within the Oneworld alliance.
- Hotels and Travel: Book accommodation with Qantas Hotels, Airbnb, or with one of the hotel groups signed up with the program. Also earn points from car rental, booking a tour, a cruise, motor home, or even pet sitting for fido.
- Cards & Banking: Bonus points for signing up for various credit cards and then subsequent earning on spending. Earn points on home loans, personal loans, travel money, wealth management, savings and transaction accounts.
- Shopping: Earn Qantas Points on over 400 brands via Qantas Shopping.
- Leisure & Entertainment: Earn points with Binge, Hoyts, Kayo Sports, Learnt Global, and The Economist.
- Health: Use the Qantas Wellbeing App to boost your fitness and points, or earn through Audika, Blackmores, or CSIRO's Total Wellbeing Diet.
- Insurance: Various policies through Qantas Insurance, and Miga.
- Utilities & Services: Optus, Red Energy, and Solargain.
- Property: You can even earn points buying a new home or investment property through Amity, Beechwood Homes, LJ Hooker, and LK Porperty Group. Or paying your rent through Rental Rewards.
- Fuel: Top your points while topping up the car at BP.
- Food & Wine: Feed yourself and your points balance with Qantas Wines, Everyday Rewards, Hello Fresh, and Qandoo.
Using Qantas Frequent Flyer Points
One of the best ways to use your points is to redeem them for flights with Qantas or one of their partner airlines. Qantas calls these Classic Flight Rewards.
The other recommended use for your points is on cabin upgrades, Classic Upgrade Rewards. Unless you have a high status, Platinum or Platinum One, it can be hard to snare a business or first upgrade, but not impossible.
It's not all about flights, points can be used in other ways. They can be used in the Qantas shop, for booking hotels, car hire, luxury holidays, or even one of Australia's greatest train journeys.
Status Credits
Earning status credits are the true indication of your flying loyalty to Qantas. Generally, they can only be earned by flying. Though with the arrival of Covid and the disruption to the industry, there have been a couple of other opportunities to obtain status credits.
Your frequent flyer status (what level you are) is dictated by how many status credits you have earned. The more status credits you have, the higher your frequent flyer level, and the more benefits you have.
Qantas status credits are re-set to zero at the beginning of each membership year. Eg, your membership is valid until November 30th and you have 1000 status credits, come December 1st they will be re-set to zero, and you start all over again for the year.
Frequent Flyer Status Levels
The program has five status levels, Bronze through to Platinium One. You automatically start with Bronze status. Recently Qantas added the Green Tier to the program.
Green Tier
The Green tier is a way Qantas rewards frequent flyers who make sustainable choices at home and when they travel.
There are a few benefits of being green, the biggest one is the bonus reward. You can choose between 10,000 Qantas Points or 50 Status Credits.
Lifetime Status Credits
Status credits that you earn over a 12 month period are reset at the start of your membership year. It is back to the drawing board on acquiring status credits to maintain or better your status level.
Even though the points are reset, they do count towards your lifetime status.
Qantas Frequent Flyer Status Benefits
Depending on the status level you are will depend on the perks you will receive. Below outlines the benefits of each Qantas status level.
Bronze Status
Qantas Bronze status is the entry tier for the program. The only real benefit you receive at this level is you can start earning frequent flyer points and status credits.
Silver Status
Once you have earned 300 points you move up to Qantas Silver status. This is when you start to enjoy rewards from the Qantas frequent flyer program.
- Earn 50% more points when you fly with Qantas, Jetstar, and American Airlines.
- One complimentary Qantas lounge invitation.
- Preferential access to Classic Flight Rewards seats.
- Priority check-in.
- Extra checked baggage allowance.
- Complimentary bag tag.
Gold Status
Many regard Qantas Gold status as the sweet spot and is yours once you earn 700 points. This is where you really start to enjoy the benefits of status.
- 75% more Qantas Points on eligible flights with Qantas, Jetstar and American Airlines.
- Access to over 600 lounges globally.
- Greater access to Classic Flight Reward seats.
- On departure upgrades on domestic Qantas operated flights using points.
- Fast track to ALL - Accor Live Limitless Silver status after one eligible stay.
- Premium boarding.
Platinum Status
You know you spend more time in the air than the average Joe when you reach Qantas Platinum status. You will need 1,400 points to qualify.
- 100% more Qantas Points every time you fly on eligible flights with Qantas, Jetstar and American Airlines.
- Access to international Qantas and Emirates First Lounges.
- Access to domestic Qantas Business Lounges.
- Preferential access to Classic Flight Reward seats.
- Priority international upgrades with confirmation up to 48 hours pre-departure.
- Priority seat selection.
Platinum One Status
Once you reach the Qantas frequent flyer program Platinum One status you will have accumulated 3,600 points. You also know that you are spending more time in the air than on the ground.
- All the benefits of Platinum status plus ...
- Access to the Qantas VIP Service Team.
- The highest upgrade priority and access to Reward seats.
- The opportunity to share your benefits with loved ones.
- Complimentary Platinum status for a family member or friend.
- Extra Qantas Points bonuses up to 175,000 per Membership Year.
- Option to take an earlier flight on eligible Qantas domestic fares
Join the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program for free
There is no need to pay Qantas' $99.50 joining free. There are many ways to join the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program for free.
- Woolworths' Everyday Rewards Program: Become a Everyday Rewards member and sign up to the program for free. Plus you will earn points while you shop.
- Credit Cards: Sign up for a Qantas points earning credit card.
- Australian resident: Not widely advertised but the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program is free for Australian residents. You just need to know that it is and where to find the correct online form
- Travel Money Card: Sign up for a Qantas Travel Money Card.
- Samsung Customer: Join as a Samsung customer.
- Deliveroo Customer: Join as a Deliveroo customer.
- Avis Loyalty Member: Join as an Avis customer.
Qantas Club
Qantas Club shouldn't be confused with the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program. Anybody can purchase a Qantas Club Membership. If you are a Qantas Club member you are also part of the frequent flyer program.
By taking up membership you gain access to Qantas Club lounges in Australia and Internationally. Plus dedicated service and check-in desks.
Points Club
The Qantas Points Club is designed to reward Frequent Flyer members who earn a lot of points through spending money on the ground rather than flying.
There are various perks for those that earn at least 150,000 Qantas points within 12 months (20,000 of those can be through flying). Including free Qantas Club membership for those earning over 350,000 points a year.
One of the biggest perks is for those that use their points for booking flights. Points Club members are able to earn status credits on Qantas classic flight rewards. Normally you don't earn status credits on rewards flights.
Qantas Business Rewards
Qantas Business Rewards is a rewards program for small to medium size businesses. If you have an ABN you can join.
There are many benefits of the program, but the top one for frequent flyers is, that not only does the individual flying earn Qantas points, but so does the business. These points can then be transferred to an individual.
One World
Qantas is one of 14 airlines that are members of Oneworld. This expands the privileges to Qantas' top-tier status holders for their travel with partner airlines. This includes access to more than 650 airport lounges worldwide, priority boarding, and security fast-tracking where available.