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Qantas has announced the expansion of its frequent flyer scheme with the launch of Classic Plus Flight Rewards, which will allow frequent flyer members to access more than 20 million extra reward seats.
Scheme members can now book what is known as Classic Plus Flight Rewards seats on select Qantas international flights departing Australia, for travel from July 1 2024, on qantas.com. The airline plans to roll out the rewards across more flights, including domestic routes, by the end of the year. Flights with partner airlines are excluded.
Classic Plus Flight Rewards provides a third way to redeem Qantas points for flights. Members can alternatively use one of the other existing methods:
- Classic Flight Rewards: Offering the best value for exchanging points for flights, the amount of points you’ll need varies depending on where you plan to travel. However, the amount of points required is fixed in that it won’t fluctuate if the ticket retail price rises or falls. Classic Flight Rewards include trips with partner airlines such as Jetstar, Fiji Airways, Air Vanuatu, and American Airlines. They have limited availability and Classic Flight Reward seats may not be available at all for certain flights or routes on certain days, so you may have to be flexible with your destination choice and dates to make the most of this reward. While five million of these reward seats are available each year, many frequent flyer customers have complained of limited availability on popular routes.
- Points Plus Pay: Provides the most flight options throughout the whole year. However, the points required for each flight fluctuate in line with the retail price of the flight, and are quoted at time of booking. These rewards only apply to flights with Qantas and Jetstar, when the seats are available. Points Plus Pay offers less value for points compared to Classic Flight Rewards and the new Classic Plus Flight Rewards.
Classic Plus Flight Rewards Vs Classic Flight Rewards
Qantas
Classic Flight Rewards continue to provide the best value for money overall when redeeming points. Qantas says that following the existing Classic reward seats, its new Classic Plus variety will be “one of the best ways to use points”.
The new reward will be applied to 20 million seats this year and similar numbers thereafter, while only 25% of this amount (five million) are available in Classic seats annually.
Both types of rewards offer the flexibility to combine cabin and fare type within the same booking. Frequent flyer members will also have the option to upgrade a Classic Plus seat to Premium Economy and Business, as they can with a Classic reward—one of the most popular ways to use points. Furthermore, from May 2024, they will also be able to exclusively upgrade Classic Plus Business seats to First Class.
Potential drawbacks of the Classic Plus reward include the ability of a flight’s points value to fluctuate in line with its dollar-price. The amount of points needed to book a Classic Plus seat will therefore be lower during off-peak seasons, or when booking early, and higher, during peak seasons. Classic Plus rewards will also typically require more points than a Classic seat, although the actual number may drop below that required for a Classic seat during sale periods. Finally, Classic Plus seats are limited to Qantas flights only, while Classic seats are also available on partner airlines.
Points Required For A Classic Plus Seat Vs A Classic Seat
As we’ve established, Classic Plus seats will offer many benefits, but generally, their points value is not necessarily one of them when compared to Classic seats.
Potential drawbacks of the Classic Plus reward include the ability of a flight’s points value to fluctuate in line with its dollar-price. The amount of points needed to book a Classic Plus seat will therefore be lower during off-peak seasons, or when booking early, and higher, during peak seasons
Qantas provides examples of what you can expect to pay in points, plus taxes, fees and carrier charges, for each type of reward, on popular routes. You can find these below. Bear in mind that the amount will differ during peak and off-peak seasons for a Classic Plus seat.
Economy Fares
Business Fares
Sale Fares
You can anticipate using at least 16,100 more points on a Class Plus Economy fare from Sydney to Tokyo, a minimum 6,400 more when travelling from Brisbane to Singapore and at least 10,600 more when flying from Sydney to London. However, an off-peak Classic Plus flight seat from Sydney to Nadi, Fiji only requires 17,500 points compared to 18,000 with a Classic reward, highlighting that occasionally a Classic Plus flight can work out at better value.
You can expect to use a minimum 90,900 more points on a Classic Plus Business fare when flying from Sydney to Tokyo and at least 49,400 more when flying from Brisbane to Singapore, compared to when redeeming points on a Classic seat. This rises to 132,300 more points for a flight from Sydney to London. You’ll also have to pay more in taxes, fees and carrier charges for each flight.
During sales periods, you could save 2,900 points on an Economy flight from Melbourne to Auckland, using a Classic Plus Reward rather than a Classic one, and 9,700, if you use a Classic Plus Business reward rather than the Classic equivalent. However, you’ll need 29,000 more points for a Business Economy Classic Plus seat from Sydney to Los Angeles, compared to a Classic seat.
Is Classic Plus Here To Stay?
Qantas’ addition of the Classic Plus reward to its Frequent Flyer scheme marks what it calls the ‘biggest ever’ expansion of the programme, since it was established 35 years ago, and is set to be a permanent fixture.
Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Group Chief Executive, said: “The growth and success of Qantas Loyalty is driven by engaged members who earn and redeem points across the frequent flyer program, including with our partners, and that’s why we’re investing in making more seats available to book with points.”
The change follows complaints from scheme members about the devaluing of points and lack of available services, which were submitted to a senate inquiry into bilateral air service agreements, in October last year.
As a result of the inquiry, Qantas offered to work to resolve the concerns of those customers, and the the Bilateral Air Services Senate Select Committee recommended the government develop strong consumer protection measures to address the devaluation of loyalty schemes.
Qantas says the update to its scheme will make it easier for members to use their points to travel to places such as London, Tokyo, New York and Singapore, even during peak times.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are Qantas Frequent Flyer points?
Qantas Frequent Flyer is the Qantas airline’s reward scheme for those who travel regularly using its services, or those of its partner airlines.
Members of the scheme can earn points on eligible purchases, from their everyday spend to flights and hotel bookings. These points can be collected and then redeemed when making future flight and hotel bookings, other travel-related purchases, or when spending in the online Qantas store. The value of a single point varies depending on what you spend it on. Our guide to the value of Qantas points explains all.
How can I start collecting Qantas points?
There are a number of ways you can earn Qantas points, including spending with its partners, and purchasing points online.
One way to collect points on your purchases is to use a Qantas points earning credit card. You can learn more about these cards and find our top picks. The credit cards our research found to be the best come with up to 100,000 introductory Qantas bonus points on signing up, helping you to rapidly reach your reward goals. When comparing cards, remember to check the number of points you can earn per dollar on eligible spend, as well as details such as a potential annual fee, and the interest rates.
How do I find a Classic Plus reward?
Qantas Frequent Flyer members should log into their accounts at quantas.com, and search for a flight using the booking tool, ensuring the toggle switch for ‘Rewards’ is on.
They will then be able to view when reward seats closest to their preferred travel dates, are available, across one-way or return flights. A red ribbon denotes an available Classic reward, and a blue ribbon, an available Classic Plus reward. Members can select the blue ribbon and follow the instructions to redeem their points for their reward.
When does Classic Plus Flight Rewards begin?
The rewards seats are available for international flights from July 1, which frequent flyers can book now via Qantas.com. Classic Plus Flight Rewards for domestic flights will be rolled out later this year.
