Maximising Your Qantas Points: Tips on Earning and Spending
With so many ways to earn and use Qantas Points, finding out how to get the best bang for your buck can be tricky, that’s why we’ve compiled some helpful tips to get you off to a flying start.
What you'll learn
- Bonus Qantas Points with credit cards
- Earning Qantas Points with your purchases
- Earning Qantas Points with bills and services
- Bonus Qantas Points with Qantas Shopping Mall
- Using Qantas Points on flights and upgrades
- Using Qantas Points on accommodation and Qantas marketplace
1. Bonus Qantas Points with credit cards
While you can earn Qantas Points without a credit card, the most dependable way to consistently earn Qantas Points is by signing up to a credit card that earns points on eligible purchases. Plus, with most Qantas Points-earning credit cards, you can join the Qantas Frequent Flyer program for free.
Shopping around
As many credit card providers offer a Qantas Points card, make sure to shop around for the card that best suits your needs. Many providers will have introductory points offers to earn bonus Qantas Points upfront. Westpac has two great Qantas Rewards credit cards, with introductory offers that’ll earn bonus points when you spend.
Altitude Qantas Black card
Get up to 120,000 bonus Qantas Points~ – 90,000 Qantas Points if you spend $6k+ on eligible purchases† within 120 days of new card approval and an extra 30,000 points on your first purchase after having the card for a year.
Credit criteria and T&Cs apply.
Altitude Qantas Platinum card
Get up to 80,000 bonus Qantas Points++ if you spend $4k+ on eligible purchases† within 90 days of new card approval.
Credit criteria and T&Cs apply.
Other card considerations
When searching for the best credit card for earning Qantas Points, it’s important to also take into account the other features of the card, such as rates and benefits. Some cards may have a stronger introductory offer, but have higher rates and fees, that over the course of a year, will result in less value than other cards.
Something else to consider is the Qantas Point earn rate of your card. The amount of Qantas Points you’ll get for every dollar spent with the card can vary wildly depending on the type of eligible purchases you make, and whether your purchases are from Australia or overseas. The conversion rate may also have a specific monthly or yearly spending limit. If this limit is reached, the number of points you’ll earn for each dollar is significantly reduced for the remaining period.
2. Earning points with your purchases
Making your credit card your primary means of payment is an easy way to maximise the points you earn. Though it may feel strange using your credit card for everyday purchases before immediately paying off the outstanding card balance, this method will ensure you’re consistently earning points on a daily basis. Adding your credit card to the digital wallet on your phone and setting it as the default card for Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or Google Pay will further ensure you never forget to earn points.
Ways to earn Qantas Points with everyday shopping
There are many eligible purchases you can make to earn Qantas Points, including everyday items such as petrol and groceries. On top of the Qantas Points you’ll earn on each dollar spent at the supermarket, there are some quick ways to earn bonus Qantas Points. Signing up to Woolworths Everyday Rewards is free, and for Everyday Rewards points earnt at Woolworths (and their partners like BWS, Big W and Ampol), these points can be converted into Qantas Points.
Ways to earn Qantas Points with other purchases
Earning points on small everyday items builds up your points balance over time, but bigger purchases can help as well. If you’re a film fanatic, or just someone who loves taking the family to see the latest blockbuster, there are plenty of points to be had. As a Hoyts Rewards member, you’ll earn extra Qantas Points for purchases on Hoyts tickets and food, and if you’re a Hoyts Rewards VIP member, you’ll get an even better earn rate. To earn these bonus points, you’ll need to link your Hoyts Rewards and Qantas Frequent Flyer accounts – but doing so will get Hoyts Rewards VIP members an extra 500 Qantas Points.
Ways to earn Qantas Points with Airbnb
If you’re often on weekend getaways or enjoy using Airbnb for your holiday accommodation, you can easily rack up bonus Qantas Points on each booking. Simply book your Airbnb accommodation through the Qantas Hotels website and you’ll earn 1 Qantas Point for each dollar spent on your Airbnb booking. You’ll even get bonus Qantas Points on your first booking.
3. Earning Qantas Points with bills and services
Your monthly energy, phone and internet bills are an untapped goldmine of Qantas Points waiting to be extracted. Set up direct debit on your credit card for regular bills and watch the points roll in.
Ways to earn Qantas Points with your bill providers
Have a shop around for bill providers and you’ll find that there are even some bonus Qantas Point deals on offer. For example, if you sign up to an eligible Optus phone plan, you’ll get heaps of bonus Qantas Points, plus a maximised earn rate on each dollar spent on plan fees. When you consider that most monthly expenses can be harvested for points, you’ll see your points balance skyrocket in no time.
Ways to earn Qantas Points with streaming and subscription services
With the average Australian spending $45 a month* on just streaming services, factor in other common subscription services for food, transport or mobile apps, and there’s plenty to take advantage of.
Most streaming services are eligible to earn points, but you’ll find some providers offer bonus Qantas Points on sign up and each month you stay connected. With BINGE, you’ll get bonus Qantas Points on sign up and bonus points each month thereafter, and if you’re a sports diehard, signing up to Kayo will get you bonus points, plus bonus points each month. Another great and easy way to earn points is with a subscription to Hello Fresh. If you’re looking for hassle free meals with fresh, tasty ingredients, you can earn loads of bonus Qantas Points over the course of your first 10 weekly deliveries.
*Internet TV streaming statistics 2023
Ways to earn Qantas Points with the Qantas Wellbeing app
If you haven’t heard of the Qantas Wellbeing app, it’s a great way to burn calories while you earn points. Take part in fitness challenges or simply track your activity and watch your Qantas Points grow. You’ll get bonus Qantas points for 30 minutes of running, 45 minutes of swimming or 2 hours of cycling. You can even earn points for each friend you invite (up to 20 times) and bonus points in the first 28 day trial period. While the app is free, the point earn rate is even better if you have a Qantas Insurance policy.
4. Earning Qantas Points with Qantas services
A guaranteed method of earning bonus Qantas Points is by shopping with Qantas services. Whether that’s Qantas flights, accommodation or even a range of fashion, electronics or homewares, through Qantas and their partners, you can find an endless amount of bonus points.
Ways to earn Qantas Points with Qantas flights
It goes without saying that you’ll be rewarded with Qantas Points when you book a flight with Qantas or one of their many partner airlines. The amount of points you earn will vary depending on:
- Your destination
- Your choice of airline
- Your choice of cabin class
- The cost of your ticket
Flying with Qantas or Jetstar directly will earn you more points than other oneworld® partner airlines, but when calculating flight paths, available times and fare costs into the total value, it may be more beneficial to fly with other partners.
Ways to earn Qantas Points with Qantas Hotels
Qantas also partners with many renowned domestic and international hotel chains such as Rydges, Travelodge, Holiday Inn and Hyatt, meaning you’ll get a higher points earn rate for every dollar spent on a booking made through the Qantas Hotels website. With luxury hotels, that rate is even better.
Ways to earn Qantas Points with Qantas Shopping Mall
Qantas Shopping Mall is a one-stop online retailer with all your favourite brands. By using Qantas Shopping Mall to purchase products you would be buying anyway, you’ll get far more Qantas Points than you would otherwise. Taking a quick scroll through their countless brands, you’ll find that most items will earn you between 3 to 6 Qantas Points per dollar. Have a look at the kind of brands^ you’ll be able make use of:
Fashion
| Adidas | $1 – 4 points |
| Cotton On | $1 – 3 points |
| H&M | $1 – 2 points |
| Myer | $1 – 2 points |
| Shein | $1 – 3 points |
| Tiffany & Co | $1 – 4 points |
Entertainment
| BCF | $1 – 2 points |
| Decathlon | $1 – 3 points |
| Everlast | $1 – 4 points |
| Microsoft | $1 – 2 points |
| Rebel | $1 – 2 points |
| Sony | $1 – 2 points |
Health & beauty
| Blackmores | $1 – 4 points |
| The Body Shop | $1 – 4 points |
| MAC | $1 – 4 points |
| Priceline Pharmacy | $1 – 2 points |
| Sephora | $1 – 3 points |
| Specsavers | $1 – 2 points |
Homewares
| Bed Bath N’ Table | $1 – 4 points |
| Dusk | $1 – 4 points |
| Freedom | $1 – 2 points |
| Glasshouse | $1 – 3 points |
| Sheridan | $1 – 5 points |
| Spotlight | $1 – 2 points |
^The Qantas Points earn rate for these brands is correct as of 25/09/23.
Not only does Qantas Shopping Mall have endless brands, it also has endless deals. You’ll notice that many brands are running higher point earn rate offers on their products, and these deals are constantly rotating. If you have your eye on a certain product, it may be smart to wait for a point offer on that brand and you could be earning double the amount of Qantas Points.
5. Using Qantas Points on flights and upgrades
Now that you’ve stocked up on a mountain of Qantas Points, it’s time to spend them. The great thing about Qantas Points is that as long as you earn or spend points at least once every 18 months, the points won’t expire. This means you’re free to save up points to use on flight upgrades, domestic flights and even international flights.
Flight upgrades
Redeeming your points for an upgraded seat is not as straight forward as it may seem. There are various factors that determine whether or not you’re able to get your requested seat (which you can read more about here). When competing with other passengers for an upgraded seat, the status of your Frequent Flyer membership, whether you’re a Qantas Club member, the cost of your ticket and who requested the seat first, are all calculated to decide who gets the seat. Given that the window for upgrade requests opens shortly before flight departure (this varies depending on your Frequent Flyer status), you may not be approved.
Increasing your chances for a successful upgrade
Thankfully, there are ways to increase your chance of a successful upgrade:
- Check if your domestic flight is offering Classic Flight Rewards, and you’ll receive instant approval on an upgraded seat
- If you’re not set on a destination, choose a less popular flight route, as seats are less likely to be booked
- Fly on off-peak times when flights are less busy
- Request an upgrade as soon as you’re able to
- Pick flights operated by larger planes with more seats
- Become a Qantas Club member as you’ll be given priority over other passengers of the same Frequent Flyer status
Booking flights with Qantas Points
Whether you’re saving for a domestic or international flight, there are a few ways to use your points for your holiday.
Classic Flight Rewards is the main method of turning your Qantas Points into a plane ticket. Currently offering over 1200 international and domestic destinations with Qantas, Jetstar and other partner airlines, there’s a strong chance your dream destination will be eligible. Through the Classic Flight Rewards page, you can search eligible flights and calculate how many points your flight will cost. You’ll find that the amount of points a flight costs can change depending on your flight dates and whether there is an offer running on that destination. As you could expect, the shorter the flight distance, the less points required to book. Plus consider choosing a Qantas partner airline to fly with, as they often have better reward seat availability for less Qantas Points.
Booking flights when you’re low on Qantas Points
If you have a set destination and date in mind but your Qantas Points balance is slightly too low, you can still book the flight by either transferring points from an eligible family member, purchasing points directly from Qantas (the point rate varies depending on how many points you purchase) or with Qantas’ ‘Points plus pay’ feature. ‘Points plus pay’ lets you use a combination of Qantas Points and money to book a flight if your points are out of reach, however, the point exchange rate for ‘Points plus pay’ compared to the standard Classic Flight Rewards method is far lower and is not good value for money.
6. Using Qantas Points on accommodation and Qantas Marketplace
What you may not realise about Qantas Points is that they can be used to book accommodation as well as purchase everyday items and products.
Qantas partner hotels
Just as you can earn points when you book a stay at a Qantas partner hotel, you can just as easily spend your points there as well. As a Qantas Frequent Flyer member, you’ll also be able to access exclusive offers on accommodation when you book through Qantas, such as reduced Qantas Point costs.
Qantas Marketplace
Like Qantas Shopping Mall, Qantas Marketplace combines your favourite retailers in one place and lets you use your hard-earned points to buy a variety of everyday and specialty items. Whether that’s fashion, entertainment or homewares, your points can be used however you want. Once again, you’ll come across heaps of offers on Qantas Marketplace, giving you discounts on the amount of Qantas Points needed for particular brands. These offers are run all the time and can even get up to 50% off points required, so there’s no telling what great deals you’ll snag.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get Qantas Points in Australia?
There are many ways to get Qantas Points in Australia. You can get Qantas Points by:
- Applying for a Qantas Points-earning credit card
- Using a Qantas Points-earning credit card to buy everyday purchases like groceries and petrol
- Using a Qantas Points-earning credit card to pay bills and subscription services
- Booking accommodation with Qantas Hotels or Airbnb through the Qantas website
- Booking flights with Qantas and their airline partners
- Shopping on Qantas Shopping Mall
Do you earn Qantas Points by flying?
In terms of how to earn Qantas Points, booking a flight with Qantas, Jetstar or one of their partner airlines is guaranteed to earn you heaps of Qantas Points. The amount of Qantas Points you earn will vary depending on your destination, choice of airline, choice of cabin class and the cost of your ticket.
How much does it cost to buy 100,000 Qantas Points?
You can buy 100,000 Qantas Points for $2730. Qantas Points can be bought from Qantas in blocks of 1000 points up to a maximum of 150,000 points per purchase. You can buy Qantas Points a maximum of four times in a 12-month period.
Can I get Qantas Points without a credit card?
Earning Qantas Points without a credit card can still be done, as long as you have a Qantas Frequent Flyer account. You’ll need to pay the joining fee for the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, but can still take advantage of many of the Qantas Points earning methods mentioned in this article, such as:
- Earning bonus Qantas Points when you sign up to certain subscription services
- Transferring Woolworths Everyday Rewards points to Qantas Points
- Booking flights and accommodation with Qantas and their partners
- Using Qantas services like the Qantas Wellbeing app and taking out a Qantas Health Insurance policy
- Booking Airbnb accommodation through the Qantas Hotels website
- Doing your shopping through Qantas Shopping Mall
Information correct as of 25/09/23.
This information is general in nature and has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness for the information to your own circumstances and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.
Credit provided by Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714.
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Things you should know
Credit criteria, fees and charges apply. Credit Card Product Switches, upgrades or Westpac group staff are ineligible.
Be credit savvy: Before applying, consider a realistic credit limit and check all conditions, interest rates, fees and charges on your selected card.
~ Bonus Qantas or Velocity Points Promotion Altitude Black: To be eligible for up to 120,000 bonus Qantas or Velocity Points, you must apply and be approved for a new Altitude Qantas Black or Altitude Velocity Black credit card between 31st October 2024 and 30th April 2025.
You will receive an initial 90,000 bonus points if you spend $6k or more on eligible purchases within 120 days of card approval. These will be credited to your points balance within 12 weeks of meeting this spend criteria.
You will receive an additional 30,000 bonus points if you keep your account open for more than 12 months and continue to use the card. These additional points will be credited to your points balance within 12 weeks, after the first eligible purchase is made in the second year of your card account being active.
If you do not meet the minimum spend criteria within 120 days of card approval, you forfeit the initial 90,000 bonus points only. However, you are still eligible for the additional 30,000 bonus points in the second year if you continue to use your card.
Existing Westpac customers who currently hold an Earth Classic, Earth Platinum, Earth Platinum Plus, Earth Black, Altitude Classic, Altitude Platinum or Altitude Black credit card, or who have held one in the last 24 months, are not eligible for this offer.
Qantas or Velocity Points earned during a statement cycle are added to your Qantas or Velocity Points balance on a monthly basis. Eligible purchases do not include interest, fees and charges, cash or ATM cash advances, cash equivalent transactions, gambling transactions, a purchase from or payment to a local, state or federal government or government related agency, BPAY or similar transactions (such as Post Billpay), refunds and balance transfers debited from the card account. Credit Card Product Switches, upgrades or Westpac group staff are ineligible for this offer.
++Bonus Qantas or Velocity Points Promotion Altitude Platinum: To be eligible for up to 80,000 bonus Qantas or Velocity Points, you must apply and be approved for a new Altitude Qantas Platinum or Altitude Velocity Platinum credit card between 31st October 2024 and 30th April 2025. You will receive an initial 60,000 bonus points if you spend $4k or more on eligible purchases within 90 days of card approval. These will be credited to your points balance within 12 weeks of meeting this spend criteria. You will receive an additional 20,000 bonus points if you keep your account open for more than 12 months and continue to use the card. These additional points will be credited to your points balance within 12 weeks, after the first eligible purchase is made in the second year of your card account being active. If you do not meet the minimum spend criteria within 90 days of card approval, you forfeit the initial 60,000 bonus points only. However, you are still eligible for the additional 20,000 bonus points in the second year if you continue to use your card. Existing Westpac customers who currently hold an Earth Classic, Earth Platinum, Earth Platinum Plus, Earth Black, Altitude Classic, Altitude Platinum or Altitude Black credit card, or who have held one in the last 24 months, are not eligible for this offer. Velocity Points or Qantas Points earned during a statement cycle are added to your Velocity or Qantas Points balance on a monthly basis. Eligible purchases do not include interest, fees and charges, cash or ATM cash advances, cash equivalent transactions, gambling transactions, a purchase from or payment to a local, state or federal government or government related agency, BPAY or similar transactions (such as Post Billpay), refunds and balance transfers debited from the card account. Credit Card Product Switches, upgrades or Westpac group staff are ineligible for this offer.
†Eligible purchases do not include interest, fees and charges, cash or ATM cash advances, cash equivalent transactions, gambling transactions, a purchase from or payment to a local, state or federal government or government related agency, BPAY or similar transactions (such as Post Billpay), refunds and balance transfers debited from the card account.