Qantas seats get more expensive under major frequent flyer shakeup

January 22, 2025 journo

Qantas has announced sweeping changes to its popular frequent flyer program, driving up the cost of reward seats.

The airline said loyalty members will soon earn more points while flying, but it will simultaneously hike up the points needed to redeem fares, as well as the monetary cost of those seats.

From August this year, Qantas Frequent Flyer members will need to use thousands more points to redeem seats and upgrades on domestic and international flights.

"Sydney, Australia - March, 14th 2012: Qantas aeroplanes and tail fin with the distant view of downtown Sydney - Sydney Airport" — Qantas has announced a suite of changes to its frequent flyer program. (iStock)

Sydney to London economy reward fares will be bumped up to 63,500 points plus $263, up from 55,200 points.

Meanwhile, a Sydney to Melbourne business class reward seat will cost 19,300 points plus $76, up from 18,400 points and $55.

It’s the first time Qantas has marked up its classic reward pricing since 2019 and the second time since 2004.

“A lot has changed in the last six years,” Qantas loyalty chief executive Andrew Glance said.

The changes include driving up the point cost for redeeming reward seats. (Peter Braig)

“These adjustments will ensure we can continue to invest in enhancing the program for the long-term and continue to grow the levels of classic and classic plus reward seat availability for members year on year.

“With a number of airlines making changes to their loyalty programs recently, we wanted to give our members as much notice as possible so they can plan their future travel.”

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Among the changes will be the ability for frequent flyers to earn up to 25 per cent more points on domestic flights.

A Sydney to Perth economy flight, for example, will now earn you 1815 Qantas points, up from 1450.

Qantas frequent flyer changes — A list of the Frequent Flyer point changes. (Qantas)

Qantas is also introducing its lowest one-way economy reward seat in the country, adding Jetstar short-haul domestic flights in Australia and New Zealand for 5700 points.

The earning cap for tiered members travelling in premium cabins will also be scrapped.

“This year will see our members earn an additional four billion points thanks to an increase in points earned when travelling domestically and the removal of the earn cap for tiered members travelling in our premium cabins,” Glance said.

“This means tiered members flying in premium cabins domestically require fewer flights to earn their next reward booking.”

Loyalty members will also be given access to up to one million international reward seats on partner airlines, including Air France, Finnair, KLM and Iberia, Qantas said.