How to Avoid Expiring Qantas Points: A Complete Guide to Keeping Your Miles Active

Qantas Points are a valuable currency for travelers, offering access to flights, upgrades, and a wide range of rewards. However, unlike some other loyalty programs, Qantas Points do expire if your account remains inactive for too long. Understanding the expiration policy and taking simple actions can save your hard-earned miles from disappearing. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to keep your Qantas Points alive.


Understanding Qantas Points Expiration Policy

Qantas Frequent Flyer points expire if you don’t earn or redeem points through an eligible activity within an 18-month period. This means your points balance is safe as long as you have at least one qualifying transaction every year and a half. The policy is designed to encourage active engagement with the program, but it can catch out infrequent travelers.

Key points to remember:

• The expiration clock resets each time you complete an eligible activity.
• Points expire at the end of the month, 18 months after your last eligible activity.
• Once points expire, they cannot be reinstated.

What Counts as an Eligible Activity?

To keep your points active, you need to either earn or redeem Qantas Points through an approved channel. The following are considered eligible activities:

Earning Points:

• Flying on Qantas, Jetstar, or partner airlines (with a QF flight number on the ticket).
• Earning points through a linked credit card (most Australian cards count).
• Shopping at the Qantas Store or through the Qantas Shopping portal.
• Using Qantas Wellbeing App to track activities.
• Earning points through Qantas Hotels, Qantas Wine, or Qantas Insurance.
• Earning points via partner programs like Red Planet surveys or Qantas Business Rewards.

Redeeming Points:

• Booking a Classic Flight Reward or any reward flight.
• Upgrading a flight using points.
• Using points for Qantas Marketplace purchases, hotel bookings, or gift cards.
• Transferring points to a family member (though this may incur a fee).

Activities that DO NOT count:

• Purchasing points directly from Qantas.
• Receiving points as a gift or transfer from another member.
• Status credits or tier bonuses alone (without points earning).

It’s crucial to note that simply logging into your account or having a linked credit card does not count unless you actually earn or redeem points through it.

How to Check Your Qantas Points Expiry Date

You can easily check your points expiry status by logging into your Qantas Frequent Flyer account:

1. Go to the Qantas website or open the Qantas App.
2. Log in with your membership details.
3. Navigate to “My Account” or “Points Activity.”
4. Look for a section labeled “Points Expiry” or “Eligible Activity Date.”
5. The date shown is the deadline by which you must complete an eligible activity to prevent expiration.

If your points are at risk, Qantas typically sends reminder emails, but it’s wise to set your own calendar alerts. The expiry date is usually displayed as the last day of the month.

Top Strategies to Extend Your Qantas Points

If your points are nearing expiry and you don’t have travel plans, don’t panic. There are numerous low-cost or free ways to keep them active.

1. Earn Points Through Everyday Spending

Linking a Qantas Points-earning credit card is one of the easiest ways to keep your account active. Most Australian credit cards that earn Qantas Points will automatically reset your expiry clock with every statement where points are earned. Even a small purchase like a coffee can do the trick. Check with your card issuer to confirm that points are automatically transferred to Qantas.

2. Shop Online via Qantas Shopping

The Qantas Shopping portal offers points for purchases at hundreds of retailers, including Apple, Myer, and The Iconic. You can earn points on things you’d buy anyway, and often there are bonus point promotions. Even a small purchase of a few dollars can reset your 18-month timer.

3. Complete Surveys with Red Planet

Qantas’ partner survey platform, Red Planet, allows you to earn points by completing market research surveys. While the points per survey are modest, completing one survey qualifies as an eligible activity. This is a free way to extend your points if you have some spare time.

4. Use the Qantas Wellbeing App

The Qantas Wellbeing App rewards you for staying active. By tracking steps, sleep, or other activities, you can earn Qantas Points. Setting up the app and syncing a fitness tracker can generate points passively, keeping your account active without any financial outlay.

5. Book a Classic Flight Reward (Even for Later)

If you have enough points, booking a Classic Flight Reward for a future date counts as an eligible redemption activity. Even if you later cancel the booking (fees may apply), the activity has already reset your clock. However, be mindful of cancellation policies.

6. Redeem Points for a Gift Card or Donation

Using a small number of points to redeem a gift card or make a charity donation is a quick way to generate activity. Qantas offers e-gift cards for retailers like Woolworths and Bunnings, often starting at just a few thousand points.

7. Transfer Points from a Family Member

Qantas allows family transfers of points, but this incurs a fee. However, the act of transferring points (either sending or receiving) counts as an eligible activity. This can be a last-resort option to save a large balance from expiring.

Comparison of Methods to Keep Qantas Points Active

Data based on Qantas Frequent Flyer program rules as of 2025.

Common Myths About Qantas Points Expiration

There are several misconceptions about what keeps Qantas Points alive. Let’s debunk the most common ones:

• Myth: Status credits reset the clock. False. Only actual points earning or redemption activities count. Earning Status Credits on a flight without earning points (e.g., on a partner airline without a QF code) will not reset your expiry.
• Myth: Purchasing points extends validity. False. Buying points from Qantas is not an eligible activity.
• Myth: Logging into your account counts. False. Simply accessing your account online does not generate any activity.
• Myth: Points never expire for Platinum members. False. While Platinum One members may have some exceptions, standard Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze members are all subject to the 18-month rule.

What to Do If Your Points Have Already Expired

Unfortunately, Qantas’ policy is strict: once points expire, they are gone for good. The Qantas Frequent Flyer terms and conditions state that expired points cannot be reinstated under any circumstances. This is why proactive management is essential.

If you believe your points expired due to an error or extenuating circumstances, you can try contacting Qantas Customer Service, but success is rare. The best defense is to set a recurring calendar reminder every 12–15 months to perform a small eligible activity.

Tips for Managing Multiple Family Accounts

If you manage points for your family, note that each member’s account has its own 18-month clock. However, Qantas allows family transfers, which can help consolidate points before they expire. Keep track of each account’s last activity date, and consider linking all accounts to a single family pooling arrangement through Qantas Business Rewards (if eligible) to simplify management.

FAQ

How long do Qantas Points last without activity?

Qantas Points expire after 18 months of inactivity. Activity means either earning or redeeming points through an eligible channel.

Does booking a flight with cash but using my Frequent Flyer number count as activity?

No. Simply booking a flight with cash and adding your Frequent Flyer number does not count unless you actually fly and earn points, or redeem points for the booking.

Can I extend my Qantas Points by transferring them to a family member?

Yes, transferring points to an eligible family member counts as an eligible activity for both the sender and receiver, but fees apply.

Do I lose all my points if they expire?

Yes, all points in your account will expire if you do not complete an eligible activity within 18 months. There is no partial expiration.

How can I check my Qantas Points expiry date?

Log into your Qantas Frequent Flyer account on the website or app, and check the “Points Expiry” or “Eligible Activity Date” section under your account details.

References

1. Qantas Frequent Flyer Terms and Conditions – Section on Points Expiry. Retrieved 2025. https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/terms-and-conditions.html
2. Qantas Points – How to earn points. Retrieved 2025. https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earn-points.html
3. Qantas Shopping Portal. Retrieved 2025. https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earn-points/shopping.html
4. Red Planet Surveys – Earn Qantas Points. Retrieved 2025. https://www.redplanetportal.com.au/
5. Qantas Wellbeing App. Retrieved 2025. https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earn-points/wellbeing.html