Maximizing Your Qantas Points: A Detailed Guide for Travellers
If you are a frequent flyer or a regular traveller, then you have probably heard about the concept of things like air miles, and credit cards that accumulate "points" which can be redeemed on travel. One such scheme is Qantas Points Program which, when used correctly, can be a very powerful tool in leveraging your credit card purchases.
In this post we will take a closer look at what Qantas points are, how the scheme works, and how you can maximise it.
Understanding Qantas Points Credit Cards
Qantas Points are basically a form of loyalty currency that can be earned by members of the Qantas (Australia's biggest airline) Frequent Flyer program. Qantas points are accumulated when members fly with Qantas itself, with one of its partner airlines, or when they make a purchase using a Qantas credit card (note that Qantas don't technically issue the credit card so "Qantas Branded" may be a more appropriate term).
Points can be redeemed and used to purchase a variety of rewards including flights, upgrades and products from the Qantas Store.
The amount of points a member accrues varies depending on a variety of factors including type of Qantas Frequent Flyer membership held, the fare class of the flight ticket they purchase and of course the distance being flown.
Let's look at an example - a Bronze Qantas Frequent Flyer member purchasing an Economy class ticket from Sydney to Melbourne could earn 800 Qantas Points for the trip. However, a Platinum member using a Business class ticket for the same trip, could earn 2,400 Qantas Points.
When it comes to accusing points through spending on credit cards, points are awarded on a per $1 spent basis. However, the number of points awarded per $1 varies depending on the type of credit card and the range is 0.75 points per $1, up to 2 points per $1 spent.
Additionally, the company offers both personal Qantas credit cards and business membership to their points scheme. The most significant difference is that business members can merge the points that various staff members accumulate as long as they are correctly accused using the scheme.
Best Personal Credit Card Qantas Points - Per $1 Spent
As we said, when it comes to earning points by way of credit card expenditure, the number of points awarded per $1 varies. Different cards (there are 3 Qantas own cards available - Everyday, Platinum, Titanium - as well as a large number of Qantas branded cards from) all offer different point-earning schemes, and these differ for domestic spending and international spending with international spending earning more points.
Note that if a member uses a Qantas card to purchase a Qantas product (such as a flight) then they earn extra points per $1.
Ranking Qantas Personal Cards by Point Earning Capabilities
Let's take a look at exactly what each Qantas credit card offers in terms of points based on spending. Note that this is not a comprehensive overview and we have not listed all Qantas Branded cards as there are simply far too many of them available.
Note that when it comes to calculating how many points can be earned via airlines and upgrades, there are far too many variances for us to list here. However Qantas states that as rule of thumb flying up to 600 miles one way, in economy, could earn around 5000 points.
Best Cards for Purchasing Qantas Products & Services
Qantas are keen to encourage members and card users to stay within their 'ecosystem' as much as possible. Purchasing a Qantas flight using a Qantas card not only results in members earning points from the flight, and from the purchase of the flight, but they also basically gain bonus points.
The Qantas Premier Titanium is by far the most effective card to make Qantas purchases on as it offers 2 points per $1 spent on Qantas products. Note that the number of points gained per airline does not depend on the credit card used to make the purchase.
Ranking Personal Qantas Credit Cards by Sign-up Bonus Points
Some Qantas credit cards even offer sign-up bonus points as a way to attract new customers. The Qantas Premier Platinum card offers up to 80,000 sign up points, an American Express Qantas Branded Card offers up to 100,000 and the NAB Qantas Rewards Signature a staggering 150,000 points.
However note that the exact amount of sign up bonus points awarded does vary depending on a number of variables such as credit limit. As such prospective members should carefully study the terms, conditions and the qualifying criteria for these bonuses.
Year 2 'Kicker' of Extra Qantas Points
In an attempt to encourage long term membership and problem customers "switching" after the honeymoon period, some Qantas credit cards also offer additional Qantas points in the second year of holding the account. These are applied in one go as a bonus much like the initial sign up offering.
Final Thoughts on Qantas Points
In summary, Qantas points credit cards can be an incredible way to earn rewards on travels. Many frequent flyers who fully utilise the scheme have reported that as many as 1 in 10 flights is essentially "free" on account of accumulated points.
Of course, it does mean that users are kind of bound to using the same airline and Qantas are not known to be cheapest. As such, points earning schemes are not for everybody.
Still, by choosing the right card based on spending habits and travel style, members can benefit from free flights or upgrades.
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