A Beginner’s Guide to Earning and Rewarding Qantas Points on Everyday Spending


Earning Qantas Points doesn’t require flying every week. In fact, the most effective strategies involve integrating points-earning into your daily routine. This guide covers everything a beginner needs to know about accumulating Qantas Points through credit cards, shopping portals, and dining programs, and then how to redeem them for maximum value on both domestic and international flights.

Understanding Qantas Points

Qantas Points are the loyalty currency of Australia’s flag carrier. While you can earn them by flying with Qantas and its partners, this guide focuses on non-flying methods. The key is to shift your everyday spending to channels that reward you with points. Over time, these points can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel perks.

One important concept is the value per point. Based on 2024 data, Qantas Points are generally valued at around 1.0 to 1.2 cents each when redeemed for economy flights, and can exceed 3 cents for premium cabins. Understanding this helps you decide whether a redemption is worthwhile.

Earning Qantas Points Through Credit Cards

Credit cards are the fastest way to earn Qantas Points on everyday spending. Many Australian banks and financial institutions offer cards that earn points directly into your Qantas Frequent Flyer account.

How to Choose a Qantas Points Credit Card

When comparing cards, look beyond the sign-up bonus. Consider:

• Earn rate: Points per dollar spent. Typical rates range from 0.5 to 1.25 points per AUD.
• Annual fee: Weigh the fee against the points earned and any included benefits like travel insurance.
• Bonus points cap: Some cards limit bonus points to a certain spend per month.
• Interest rate: If you carry a balance, interest costs will outweigh any points earned.

Top Qantas Credit Cards in 2024

Here’s a comparison of some popular Qantas-earning credit cards available as of early 2024. Note that offers change frequently, so always check current terms.

Pro tip: Use a card that earns bonus points on categories you spend most in. For example, some American Express cards offer higher earn rates at supermarkets or restaurants.

Meeting Minimum Spend Requirements

Sign-up bonuses often require a minimum spend within the first few months (e.g., $3,000 in 3 months). To meet this without overspending, use the card for all regular expenses: groceries, utilities, insurance, and even tax payments (where accepted). Some billers may charge a surcharge for credit card payments, so calculate if the points earned outweigh the fee.

Earning Through Online Shopping Portals

Qantas Shopping is an online portal that awards points for purchases made at hundreds of retailers. It works by redirecting you from the Qantas Shopping site to the retailer’s website, tracking your purchase, and crediting points to your account.

How to Use Qantas Shopping

1. Visit the Qantas Shopping website and log in with your Frequent Flyer number.
2. Browse or search for a retailer. Points earn rates are displayed clearly (e.g., 3 points per $1 at Apple).
3. Click through to the retailer and complete your purchase as usual. The points are automatically tracked.

Maximizing Portal Earnings

• Stack with credit card points: You earn both portal points and credit card points on the same purchase.
• Look for bonus events: Qantas Shopping frequently runs promotions like “5x points” at selected retailers.
• Install the Qantas Shopping browser extension (available for Chrome) to automatically alert you when you’re on a partner site.
• Compare rates: Sometimes the same retailer offers different rates on other portals like Cashrewards, but Qantas Shopping pays in points rather than cash. Choose based on your preference.

Popular Retailers and Earn Rates (2024)

Dining Programs: Eat and Earn

Qantas has a dining rewards program called Qantas Wellbeing (formerly Qantas Assure) that awards points for healthy activities, but for dining specifically, the primary avenue is the Qantas Frequent Flyer program’s partnership with selected restaurants. However, the most consistent dining points earner is using a linked credit card at participating restaurants.

Qantas Restaurant Partners

Qantas partners with a network of restaurants across Australia where you can earn points when you pay with a linked card. To participate:

1. Register your eligible credit or debit card on the Qantas Points website.
2. Dine at a participating restaurant and pay with your registered card.
3. Points are automatically credited.

Earn rates vary but are typically 1 point per $2 spent. Some promotions may offer higher rates.

Other Dining Earning Opportunities

• Uber Eats: Occasionally there are promotions where you can earn Qantas Points on Uber Eats orders when you link your account.
• Entertainment Book: Purchasing a digital membership often comes with bonus points and dining discounts.

Other Everyday Earning Methods

Qantas Wellbeing App

This app rewards you for staying active and making healthy choices. You can earn points for steps, sleep tracking, and completing challenges. While the points aren’t huge (up to a few hundred per week), it’s a passive way to boost your balance.

Woolworths Everyday Rewards

Link your Everyday Rewards card to Qantas and choose to convert your Woolworths points to Qantas Points. You earn 1 Everyday Rewards point per $1 spent at Woolworths and BWS, and 2 points per $1 at Big W. Every 2,000 Everyday Rewards points converts to 1,000 Qantas Points. This is an easy earn if you shop at these stores.

BP Rewards

Link your BP Rewards card to Qantas and earn 1 Qantas Point per 2 litres of fuel, plus 1 point per $1 in-store. This can add up quickly for regular drivers.

Qantas Hotels and Airbnb

Booking hotels through Qantas Hotels earns up to 3 points per $1, and sometimes more during promotions. Qantas also occasionally partners with Airbnb for bonus points on bookings.

Redeeming Qantas Points for Maximum Value

Now that you’ve accumulated points, it’s time to redeem them wisely. The best value redemptions are typically for flights, especially in premium cabins or on partner airlines.

Understanding Qantas Award Charts

Qantas uses a distance-based award chart for flights on Qantas, Jetstar, and partner airlines. The number of points required depends on the distance flown and the cabin class. As of 2024, some examples include:

• Sydney to Melbourne (Economy): 8,000 points + taxes
• Sydney to London (Economy): 55,200 points + taxes
• Sydney to Los Angeles (Business): 108,400 points + taxes

You can find the full award chart on the Qantas website.

Domestic Sweet Spots

For domestic travel within Australia, the best value often lies in short-haul economy flights, especially on routes where cash fares are high.

• Perth to Broome: Often costs $300+ one-way, but only 12,000 points in economy.
• East Coast to Uluru: Expensive cash fares, but 18,000 points one-way from Sydney.
• Brisbane to Cairns: 12,000 points vs. $150-200 cash.

Also, look for Jetstar reward seats. You can book Jetstar flights using Qantas Points at similar rates, and sometimes Jetstar has more availability.

International Sweet Spots

International redemptions offer the greatest potential value, especially in business and first class.

• Australia to Asia:
  • Sydney to Singapore in business class: 68,400 points + taxes. Cash fares can exceed $3,000.
  • Melbourne to Tokyo in economy: 35,000 points + taxes.
• Australia to USA:
  • Brisbane to Los Angeles in economy: 41,900 points + taxes.
  • Sydney to Dallas in business: 108,400 points. A cash fare could be $7,000+.
• Australia to Europe:
  • Perth to London on Qantas’ direct flight: 55,200 points in economy, 139,500 in business.
• Partner Airlines:
  • Using Qantas Points on Japan Airlines (JAL) or Cathay Pacific can offer excellent value with lower taxes and surcharges than Qantas metal. For example, Sydney to Tokyo on JAL business class is 68,400 points.

Avoiding High Carrier Charges

Qantas imposes high fuel surcharges on its own flights, especially in premium cabins. To minimize out-of-pocket costs, consider redeeming on partners like:

• American Airlines (USA domestic and trans-Pacific)
• Fiji Airways (to Nadi and beyond)
• Air Tahiti Nui (to Papeete)
• China Airlines (to Taipei)

These partners often have lower taxes and fees.

Upgrades

Using points to upgrade from economy to premium economy or business can be a great use of points, but it’s not guaranteed. You must book an eligible fare class (usually not the cheapest sale fares) and request an upgrade. The points required are the difference between the fare classes. For example, upgrading from Sydney to Los Angeles from economy to business can cost 54,200 points.

Tips for Managing Your Points

• Set a goal: Decide what you’re saving for—a domestic weekend trip or a long-haul business class flight—to stay motivated.
• Avoid points expiry: Qantas Points expire after 18 months of inactivity. Keep your account active by earning or redeeming at least one point every 18 months. The easiest way is through the Qantas Wellbeing app or a small online shopping purchase.
• Check for bonus offers: Qantas often runs promotions for bonus points on credit card sign-ups, shopping portals, and hotel bookings. Time your applications and purchases accordingly.
• Use a points calculator: Several independent websites offer calculators to determine if a redemption is good value. Compare the points required to the cash fare to ensure you’re getting at least 1 cent per point.

FAQ

How do I avoid my Qantas Points expiring?

Qantas Points expire after 18 months of no activity. To keep them alive, simply earn or redeem at least one point within that period. You can do this by using the Qantas Wellbeing app, making a purchase through Qantas Shopping, or transferring points from a credit card.

Can I transfer Qantas Points to another person?

You can transfer points to an eligible family member (up to 4 family members can be linked) through the Qantas Family Transfers program. There is a fee, and transfers are limited to once per year. Alternatively, you can book a flight for anyone using your points—you don’t need to transfer them.

Is it worth paying an annual fee for a Qantas credit card?

It depends on your spending. If you spend enough to earn more points than the fee’s value (using the 1 cent per point benchmark), and you take advantage of included benefits like travel insurance, it can be worthwhile. For example, a $300 annual fee requires earning at least 30,000 points per year to break even.

What’s the best way to use Qantas Points for domestic flights?

Look for Classic Flight Rewards on high-demand routes where cash prices are steep. Booking well in advance (up to 353 days out) gives you the best chance of finding reward seats. Also, consider Jetstar flights, which often have lower taxes.

References

• Qantas Frequent Flyer Program Terms and Conditions
• Qantas Shopping Portal
• Qantas Classic Flight Rewards Tables
• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission – Loyalty Schemes

Final Thoughts

Earning and redeeming Qantas Points on everyday spending is a marathon, not a sprint. By strategically using credit cards, shopping portals, and dining programs, you can accumulate points quickly without changing your lifestyle. When it comes time to redeem, focus on flights that offer high cash fares or premium cabin experiences to get the most value. With patience and planning, your daily coffee, grocery runs, and online shopping can fund your next dream trip.