Help: Why have Qantas points gone up!
When I go to book, the Qantas points required have doubled or tripled!
Answer: No, the points have not gone up.
Understanding: Qantas Points Plus Pay vs. Qantas Classic Flight Rewards
Navigating the world of Qantas points can seem daunting, as evidenced by the frequent questions and complaints about the increase in the number of points to fly - but it’s important to realise that it doesn’t require a million points for a one-way ticket. Inflation hasn’t gotten that bad.
There is a big misunderstanding between Qantas Points Plus Pay vs Qantas Classic Flight Rewards.
Can You Use Part Points and Part Pay?
Yes, but it's more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
There are two distinct methods for using points for flight payments: Qantas Points Plus Pay and Qantas Classic Flight Rewards.
Understanding the nuances between Qantas Points Plus Pay and Qantas Classic Flight Rewards will help you maximise your points, reduce your frustrations, and immensely enhance your overall travel experience.
Qantas Points Plus Pay: Maximum Flexibility but Expensive
“Using points for Qantas Points Plus Pay is the biggest mistake if one enjoys value for money”
The Points Plus Pay system is like using points for flight credit, and works with any number of points.
Points Plus Pay offers a straightforward approach: your Qantas points are converted into flight credit, allowing you to pay for a seat using a variable number of points, which depends on the current ticket price. One Qantas point equates to a fixed value of 0.66 cents.
For instance, if a return business class flight to Europe is priced at $14,000, you would need approximately 2,121,212 Qantas points to cover the cost under this scheme ($14,000 divided by 0.0066).
This flexibility is its greatest strength, allowing points to be used for any available seat on any Qantas-operated flight is particularly useful if one has tens of millions of points. However, the value of points under this method can vary greatly depending on the cash price of the ticket. As flight prices increase, so does the number of points required. This path frequently requires a substantial number of points, leading to dissatisfaction among many travellers.
In my opinion, this approach represents the lowest value for your Qantas points.
Earning Status Credits to Maintain Gold or Platinum Status
The one significant benefit of Points Plus Pay is that these flights earn points and status credits (because this is converting points for flight credit, so you are basically buying a cash-airfare), unlike Classic reward flights.
This aspect can sway some members to prefer Points Plus Pay, especially those looking to accrue additional points or maintain their status.
Qantas Classic Flight Rewards: High Consistent Value but Limited Seats
“Using points for Qantas Classic Flight Business Class Rewards is the most valuable way of using Qantas points. Even better than upgrades.”
Qantas Classic Flight Rewards, in contrast, offer more consistent and often better value for your points.
This scheme operates on a fixed-point system, where the number of points required for a flight is determined by the distance to be travelled.
This information is clearly laid out in a flight rewards table, which can be accessed on the Qantas website. The airline also provides a handy calculator to estimate the points required for your intended journey.
One key aspect of this program is the requirement to have the exact number of points for a flight. For example, if a flight requires 50,000 points, you must have those 50,000 points available. It's a precise system: having fewer points means you can't book the flight, while having extra points only benefits you if they amount to enough for another entire flight.
This rigidity can be a drawback, as unused points remain idle until you accumulate enough for another flight. However, the clear structure and predictable value of points make Qantas Classic Flight Rewards a reliable choice for frequent flyers looking to make the most of their points.
Example Comparisons
The key advantage of Classic Flight Rewards is the predictability and consistency of points required, regardless of the time or date of travel. However, the availability of reward seats is limited, and they are not guaranteed on every flight. The availability of these seats changes daily, requiring travellers to be vigilant, patient, and sometimes lucky to snag a booking.
The key here is planning and flexibility.
Booking well in advance, being flexible with your travel dates can greatly increase your chances of finding available seats – or you can engage a professional service like iFLYflat’s Points Flight Concierge service to find and book these points flights for you,
Despite these challenges, this option offers the best value in using your Qantas points for flights.
Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice
By understanding the intricacies of these two distinct methods, you can make an informed choice on how to use your Qantas points properly.
