Qantas has announced new changes to its Frequent Flyer program. This is how it affects you.
Qantas Frequent Flyer changes have been announced, from how many points reward program members can earn to how to earn them, to the number of seats available to book via the reward program. So what does it mean to the average member?
1. Earn more points on domestic flights
Deciphering rewards programs can be somewhat of a tangled web, although Australian Traveller has a comprehensive guide to help you make the most of your Frequent Flyer points. But now there’s one more way to earn decent points – the number of points members will earn on Qantas domestic flights will increase by up to 25 per cent.
Qantas will also be removing the cap on the number of points that can be earned for tiered members travelling in premium cabins. Overall, the airline predicts this will mean almost four billion extra points delivered to members every year.
“Travel remains the number one priority for our members in how they earn and redeem their points, with 13,000 Classic Reward seats booked every day," said Qantas Loyalty CEO Andrew Glance. “These changes are designed to further enhance the ways our members can book Classic Reward seats and the destinations and cabins they can access when they fly".
Qantas domestic flights will increase. (Image: Josh Withers)
2. Cheaper domestic and NZ flights
There is very good news for local flights. Qantas will be introducing economy reward seats on Jetstar’s short-haul domestic flights in Australia and New Zealand from 5700 points – that’s 2300 points cheaper than the previous cheapest seat .
“This is just the beginning of a broader suite of changes to Jetstar rewards that will deliver even greater value for members in 2025 and beyond," said Glance.
Spend less points on Jetstar’s domestic flights. (Image: Hendri Lidayani)
3. Bigger savings before August 2025
Of course, at the same time, it was announced that the number of points needed for Classic Rewards and Classic Upgrades will increase right along with the above rewards, cancelling each other out somewhat.
This point increase won’t take effect until 5 August 2025, and Qantas Classic Reward seats are open to bookings up to 11 months in advance. This means, as long as you book before then (for flights that leave up until June 2026) you can still secure the lower point rate.
Book before August to save. (Image: Josh Withers)
4. More seats across the network
The final main change to care about, is that Qantas will be adding up to one million Classic Reward seats (those that are paid for in part with points) in economy across Finnair, Air France, KLM and Iberia, thanks to a new partnership with Hawaiian Airlines (aka more flights equals more seats).
“We now have partnerships with over 45 airlines, giving members greater flexibility and choice in how they want to be rewarded," said Glance. “The addition of Hawaiian Airlines and more premium cabin seats with Finnair, Air France, KLM and Iberia will later this year begin unlocking up to 1 million additional Classic seats and more opportunities for our members to use their points".
Get access to more seats across the network. (Image: Jackie Alexander)
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
Big skies and otherworldly landscapes are the hallmarks of Australia. Discovering them in-depth becomes easier with the experts.
Australia’s extraordinary landscapes make this vast continent like no other place on Earth, offering an unforgettable feast for the senses as you traverse deserts, cruise on vast inland lakes and dine under star-studded skies. What makes this land special is the people you’ll meet along the way, and the chance to forge a deep connection with the country and its people. The new AAT Kings small-group tours focus on the incredible experiences available in remote places that might otherwise seem daunting.
With an average of 16 guests and a maximum of 24, the tours offer intimate access to the best Australia has to offer, with special behind-the-scenes encounters led by knowledgeable experts.
1. Tasmania and Flinders Island Explorer
Fly over beautiful Flinders Island as part of a tour of Tasmania. (Image: Luke Tscharke)
Escape the tourist trail in north-eastern Tasmania while still seeing everything the island state has to offer. From coastal villages to bucolic rural scenery, the six-day Tasmania and Flinders Island Explorer tour offers world-class food and wine, with the bonus of a flight to Flinders Island.
From Launceston, the tour winds through the verdant Tamar Valley and includes a stop at Fork It Farm , where guests are given insight into sustainable farming while snacking on a house-made charcuterie platter paired with Tasmanian wines.
Fly by private plane to secluded Flinders Island, uncovering pristine beaches and savouring local seafood and wine. Explore the main settlement and learn about the history of Settlement Point and Wybalenna before soaking up views of the island and Bass Strait and exploring part of Strzelecki National Park . From there, it’s another scenic flight to Bicheno, flying down the east coast of Tasmania and across the stunning Bay of Fires and Wineglass Bay (a taste of what’s to come by land).
Other highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Brickendon Estate , still run by the same family since its founding in 1824, where the property’s convict history will be revealed.
In Devonport, a heritage train ride will track alongside the Don River to Coles Beach before returning to learn more about Tasmania’s railway history and vintage locomotives at Don River Railway .
2. South Australian Outback Adventure
Fly over the Anna Creek Painted Hills. (Image: Emile Ristevski)
From Adelaide, the highlights of the eight-day South Australian Outback Adventure tour open up the rugged grandeur of the Flinders Ranges, Wilpena Pound and Arkaroola. Home to the Adnyamathanha people for tens of thousands of years, the natural beauty and wide open spaces of this remote region unfold as you explore from both land and air.
Looking to the skies for a new way to experience South Australia’s outback, a scenic flight over the striking outcrops of the colourful Anna Creek Painted Hills and the shimmering saltpan of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is an eye-opener like no other.
Wilpena Pound Resort, owned and managed by the Indigenous community, is a haven in the midst of Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park . It’s worth the hike to enjoy sweeping views over the natural amphitheatre before your journey continues through dramatic gorges, where you may spot endangered yellow-footed rock-wallabies.
At the award-winning Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, dive deep into the region’s billion-year-old geological history with an expert guide as you tackle the steep ascent of the Ridgetop Track in an open-air 4WD. When the sun goes down, look up at the dazzling wonders of the Milky Way in this International Dark Sky Sanctuary.
3. Broome and the Kimberley Highlights
See the iconic Bungle Bungle Ranges from the air. (Image: Tourism WA)
From Broome’s sparkling beaches to the red dirt of Kununurra, the Kimberley region is one of Australia’s most extraordinary and unforgettable places. It’s a region of contrasts, beginning with multicultural Broome and the history of pearl divers.
Kick off your Broome and the Kimberley Highlights experience with a tour of Broome led by a local Aboriginal guide. You’ll learn about 40,000 years of culture as you explore historic landmarks, discover bush foods and medicinal plants and enjoy a private didgeridoo performance.
Learn about Broome’s rich pearling history at Willie Creek Pearl Farm , on the banks of a turquoise tidal estuary that provides the perfect environment for growing the South Sea pearls for which Broome is world-renowned. Then cruise the calm waters to see the oyster farm before a masterclass that reveals the secrets of the pearl industry.
As you continue your discovery of the Kimberley, fly over the dramatic striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range, the Argyle Diamond Mine and gorgeous Lake Argyle, Western Australia’s largest freshwater body of water. Take a sunset cruise on the lake, which is dotted with more than 70 islands and is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The water teems with freshwater crocodiles, barramundi, bream and cod.
Complete your seven-day exploration of the Kimberley in Kununurra with a local Aboriginal guide to hear Dreamtime stories and wander through the ‘mini bungles’ of Mirima National Park.
4. Outback Contrasts
Expand your knowledge at Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience. (Image: Tourism NT/ ArchieSartracom)
From Alice Springs, the six-day Outback Contrasts adventure includes the wonders of Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon, offering premium accommodation and exceptional experiences. Ancient rock art, creation stories and the spiritual essence of the land will be revealed as you discover some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks.
A highlight of your stay in Alice Springs will be meeting chef Rayleen Brown, who shares her knowledge of Aboriginal native foods with a tasting of the many flavours of Central Australia’s wild harvest bush tucker. More culinary indulgence will follow at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon in the heart of Watarrka National Park, where you’ll enjoy a degustation menu and paired fine wines under the desert moon.
After a sunrise walk on the rim of Kings Canyon, head off to the Wanmarra community to learn about the Luritja and Pertame people’s spiritual connection to the land at Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience. Crossing desert scenes, you’ll arrive at Uluru and end the day watching the setting sun’s changing palette on the ancient landscape.
More awe-inspiring landscapes will be revealed as you wander between Kata Tjuta’s tallest domes in Walpa Gorge and explore the rugged beauty of Simpsons Gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges.
