The Complete Guide to Avoiding Qantas Points Expiry: Strategies for Active and Inactive Accounts

Qantas Points are a valuable currency for travelers, offering access to flights, upgrades, and a range of other rewards. However, many members are unaware that these points can expire if accounts remain inactive. As of 2025, Qantas Frequent Flyer rules state that points will expire if you don’t earn or redeem points for 18 months. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Qantas Points expiry policies, practical strategies to keep your account active, and solutions for dormant accounts, ensuring you never lose your hard-earned miles.


Understanding Qantas Points Expiry Rules

Before diving into strategies, it’s crucial to understand the current expiry rules. As of 2025, Qantas Frequent Flyer points expire after 18 months of inactivity. Inactivity is defined as a period during which you neither earn nor redeem Qantas Points. Simply logging into your account or checking your balance does not count as activity. The 18-month clock resets each time you have an eligible earning or redemption transaction.

Key Points About Expiry:

• Points expire at the end of the month, 18 months after your last activity.
• Qantas will typically send reminder emails before your points expire, but it’s your responsibility to ensure your contact details are up to date.
• Once points expire, they cannot be reinstated, except in very limited circumstances (e.g., if you were affected by a natural disaster or other extenuating circumstances).

How to Keep Your Qantas Points Active

The simplest way to prevent expiry is to ensure at least one earning or redemption transaction every 18 months. Here are the most effective methods, ranging from everyday spending to strategic redemptions.

Earning Qantas Points

Earning points is often the easiest way to maintain activity. Consider these options:

• Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Cards: Many Australian credit cards earn Qantas Points on everyday spending. Even a small purchase can reset the clock. Check if your card has a points-earning rate and use it periodically.
• Qantas Shopping: The Qantas Shopping portal offers points for purchases at hundreds of retailers. You can earn points on items you’d buy anyway, like groceries or clothing.
• Qantas Wellbeing App: This app rewards you for staying active. You can earn points by tracking steps, completing challenges, or purchasing health insurance.
• Qantas Wine: Buy a bottle of wine through Qantas Wine and earn points per dollar spent. It’s a double win—enjoy the wine and keep your points alive.
• Everyday Rewards: Link your Everyday Rewards card to Qantas and earn points on supermarket purchases at Woolworths.

Redeeming Qantas Points

Redemption is another guaranteed way to reset the expiry clock. Even a small redemption counts:

• Points Plus Pay Flights: Use a combination of points and cash to book flights. You can use as few as 5,000 points on some domestic routes.
• Classic Flight Rewards: Book a classic reward seat; the points required vary by route and class.
• Qantas Marketplace: Redeem points for products, gift cards, or vouchers. Sometimes you can redeem as few as 1,000 points for a small item.
• Points for Donations: Donate points to charity through Qantas’ partner organizations. It’s a meaningful way to use a small number of points.

Strategies for Dormant Accounts

If you have a dormant account—perhaps you’ve stopped traveling or switched to another airline—you need a proactive approach to prevent expiry. Here are tailored strategies:

Family Transfers

Qantas allows family transfers of points between eligible family members. This is a powerful tool for consolidating points and keeping accounts active. Here’s how it works:

• Eligible Members: You can transfer points to and from your spouse, de facto partner, children, siblings, parents, and grandparents. All must be Qantas Frequent Flyer members.
• Transfer Limits: As of 2025, you can transfer up to 600,000 points per year, with a minimum transfer of 5,000 points per transaction.
• Activity Reset: Both the sender and recipient accounts will have their activity clocks reset when a transfer occurs. This means a single transfer can keep two accounts active.
• Fees: Family transfers incur a fee, typically around $0.01 per point, so it’s best for strategic use rather than small transfers.

Example: If your account is dormant, ask a family member to transfer 5,000 points to you. The transfer fee (approx. $50) may be worth it to save a large points balance from expiry.

Buying Points or Gifting Points

Qantas occasionally offers the ability to purchase points or gift them to others. While this can be expensive, it’s a last-resort option to save a significant balance. As of 2025, you can buy up to 150,000 points per calendar year, with prices varying based on promotions. Even a small purchase resets the clock.

Credit Card Points Transfer

If you have a credit card that earns flexible rewards (e.g., American Express Membership Rewards, CommBank Awards), you can transfer a small amount to Qantas to generate activity. Most programs allow transfers as low as 1,000 points.

Exceptions and Special Circumstances

Qantas has some exceptions and leniency policies that may help in specific situations:

Status Holders

• Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Platinum One members: Points do not expire as long as you maintain status. However, if you lose status, the standard 18-month inactivity rule applies from the date of your last activity.
• Lifetime Status: If you’ve achieved Lifetime Silver or higher, your points never expire.

Points Expiry During COVID-19 and Natural Disasters

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Qantas extended points validity for many members. While those extensions have ended, Qantas may offer similar relief during future widespread disruptions. If you’re affected by a natural disaster, contact Qantas to inquire about possible extensions.

Reinstatement of Expired Points

In very rare cases, Qantas may reinstate expired points as a goodwill gesture. This is not guaranteed and typically requires a compelling reason, such as a medical emergency that prevented account activity. If your points have recently expired, call Qantas Frequent Flyer and politely explain your situation.

Tracking Your Points Expiry Date

Staying organized is key. Here are tools and tips to monitor your account:

• Qantas App: The app shows your points balance and recent activity. Set a calendar reminder 17 months after your last transaction to ensure you take action.
• Account Statements: Review your monthly email statements; they include your last activity date.
• Third-Party Trackers: Apps like AwardWallet can track multiple loyalty programs and send expiry alerts.

Comparison of Activity Methods

Note: Costs and minimums are approximate as of 2025 and subject to change.

FAQ

How long do Qantas Points last without activity?

Qantas Points expire after 18 months of no earning or redemption activity. The clock resets each time you earn or redeem points, regardless of the amount.

Can I get expired Qantas Points back?

Generally, no. Once points expire, they are permanently removed. However, in exceptional circumstances (e.g., medical emergencies or natural disasters), Qantas may reinstate points on a case-by-case basis. Contact customer service as soon as possible if you believe you have a valid reason.

Do Qantas Points expire for Platinum members?

No. For Platinum, Platinum One, Gold, and Silver members, points do not expire as long as status is maintained. If status is lost, the 18-month inactivity rule applies from the last activity date.

What is the cheapest way to keep Qantas Points active?

The cheapest methods are using a linked credit card for a small purchase, or earning points through the Qantas Wellbeing app (free). Alternatively, redeeming as few as 1,000 points for a gift card or product on the Qantas Marketplace costs no cash.

Can I transfer Qantas Points to a family member to keep them active?

Yes. A family transfer counts as activity for both the sender and receiver, resetting the 18-month clock for both accounts. The minimum transfer is 5,000 points, and fees apply.

References

1. Qantas Frequent Flyer Terms and Conditions, Section 9.3: Points Expiry. https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/terms-and-conditions.html (Accessed 2025)
2. Qantas Points Family Transfers. https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/use-points/family-transfers.html (Accessed 2025)
3. Qantas Frequent Flyer Status Benefits. https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/status/benefits.html (Accessed 2025)
4. Qantas Wellbeing App. https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earn-points/wellbeing.html (Accessed 2025)
5. Australian Frequent Flyer – Qantas Points Expiry Guide. https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-points-expiry/ (Accessed 2025)