Australian Airlines Qantas will increase the reward rate for many redemption rates for bookings that begin on August 5 and increase the carrier surcharge, so you only have a few days left to redeem points at a lower interest rate.
The airline will also add additional reward availability and new partner reward tickets, and the cost will be reduced by some redemption.
Given the news, the frequent flyer spots at Qantas are very easy to get, but some redemption should be booked now.
This is the change you need to know so you can take action accordingly.
Related: Qantas’ top-notch flight review: The most comfortable way to fly below
Prices and surcharges for classic flight rewards
For bookings starting on August 5, Qantas will add to its cheapest savings redemption (called Classic Flight Rewards) and upgrades to the savings level of Qantas operates flights, depending on the route.
On the shortest domestic routes, such as from Brisbane Airport (BNE) in Australia to Sydney Airport (SYD), the interest rate for classic flight rewards will be increased from 8,000 points to each way and will increase with AUD 55 fees, taxes and surcharges (approximately $35).
Price increases for long-distance services will be even more important, such as Qantas flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Syd. Bookings made from August 5 will increase from 108,600 to 130,100 Qantas points, and fees, taxes and surcharges will increase from about $300 to $400.
Classic flight rewards are often difficult to find, especially on long distance routes in premium cabins. This is especially evident since the airline launched the classic and flight rewards for dynamic prices in 2024. These reward tickets are tied to the cash price of the flight and are easier to use but are much more expensive.
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Verdict: Book now.
Partner airlines have higher redemption rates
Qantas is a member of the OneWorld Alliance, which means you can redeem the Qantas index on partner airlines such as American Airlines, British Airways and Alaska Airlines. The airline also works with airlines outside the OneWorld alliance, such as Air France, KLM and Emirates.
For bookings starting on August 5, Emirates flights will be priced based on the Qantas Awards ceremony (rather than the Partner Awards Forum). As a result, like the flights operated by Qantas, the reward rate and surcharges operated by Emirates will increase.
Flights operated by American Airlines are also priced under the Qantas Rewards Schedule and will be added in all classes starting August 5. For example, the following are economic-level interest rate increases:
| Current Price | New prices starting from August 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length up to 600 miles | 8,000 points | 9,200 points |
| Flights from 601 to 1200 miles | 12,000 points | 13,800 points |
| Flight lengths from 1,201 to 2,400 miles | 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 | 37,600 points | 43,200 points |
| Flights from 7,001 to 8,400 miles | 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 Emirates or American Airlines on Qantas, you should do so before the price rises.
Anyway, Emirates recently limited the first-class redemption to elite members, and Air Canada’s Aeroplan Aeroplan flight prices are now full of vitality, so Qantas is now the best way to book first-class emirates with points and miles to date.
Verdict: Book now.
Related: Boost from your general economy: Flying Emirates A380 from Dubai to Johannesburg
New Advanced Economic Award Options
Starting in October, you can redeem Qantas’ senior economic seats on flights operated by Finnair, France, Klm and Iberia for the first time. Due to this change, the program is expected to add 200,000 new premium economic awards.
If you don’t have enough Qantas points to book business-grade award seats on these airlines, you may want to wait until August 5 to book a premium economic seat.
Verdict: Book later.
Related: Is the advanced economy worth it for the Airbus A330 from Madrid to Dallas?
New Classic Flight Reward Seats on Hawaiian Airlines
Before Hawaiian Airlines enters the OneWorld alliance, you will be able to redeem Qantas points to the airline flights starting in October.
Qantas promises Qantas regular flyer members will offer 800,000 Hawaiian Airlines awards.
Verdict: Book later.
Related: A new era when Hawaiian Airlines launches Dreamliner service: TPG at inauguration
Circle World Ticket
Qantas offers OneWorld Classic Flight Rewards for circular itineraries. Up to 15 flights are allowed, totaling 35,000 miles. You can also build up to five stops in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
From August 5, the cost of these redemptions will increase as follows:
- Economy Class: From 132,400 to 152,200 points
- Advanced 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 is worth noting that given the complex routing rules and limited availability, these round itineraries are difficult to book, especially in business and first class. Therefore, they can only be tried by someone who has a deep understanding of the program.
All flights should also pay fees, taxes and surcharges, which may add thousands of dollars depending on the route and carrier.
Verdict: Book now, notice the difficulties.
Lower reward prices for Jetstar flights
Jetstar is a wholly owned low-cost subsidiary of Qantas, which is equivalent to passenger experience, pricing, rules and restrictions with EasyJet in Europe. Jetstar is not a member of the OneWorld Alliance, so partner points or miles cannot be used to book Jetstar flights (you cannot use non-Qantas OneWorld status either).
You can already redeem Qantas Jetstar flights. However, the cost of classic flight reward seats on popular Australian routes such as Melbourne Airport (MEL) to SYD will drop to just 5,700 Qantas points.
If you want to go from point A to point B and don’t use the benefits of OneWorld partner status, then this will be a cheap way to fly in Australia.
Verdict: Book later.
Changes in earning points
In addition to the above pricing changes, Qantas will also increase the number of points that members earn in domestic cash tickets by up to 25%. The airline will also award additional points on select international tickets.
Earn Qantas points with credit card
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 flyers:
Each has a 1:1 transfer rate, so 10,000 credit card points or miles equals 10,000 Qantas points.
In addition, you can transfer the Marriott location to the Australian flight at a 3:1 ratio, which means the 30 million Povo feature becomes the 1 Qantas point. Marriott will also add 5,000 bonus points when you transfer 60,000 Bonvoy points to the airline.
Bottom line
Devaluation is an unfortunate reality of collecting points and miles. We recommend earning transferable points and miles, because if one transfer partner depreciates, you can book with another transfer committee at any time.
These changes announced by Qantas represent higher prices and surcharges for two flights operated by Qantas, both within and outside the Qantas Alliance.
However, there are some advantages. Members can book Hawaiian Airlines and Premium Economic Awards for the first time on several partner airlines. However, for flights that will rise, you should consider booking immediately before the August 5 changes.
