Qantas has announced significant updates to its Frequent Flyer program, offering members a range of new benefits. These changes will enhance how members earn and redeem their points, offering more rewards, flexibility, and access to premium services.
More Reward Seats for Qantas Frequent Flyers
In a major move, Qantas has unlocked up to 1 million additional Classic Reward seats for its members. These include premium cabin seats and new global airline partnerships. This expansion will provide more opportunities for Qantas Frequent Flyers to use their points for international and domestic travel.
The airline’s partnerships with Finnair, Air France, KLM, Iberia, and Hawaiian Airlines will offer increased access to reward seats. Members will also benefit from new routes and flights on these carriers, significantly expanding the options available for booking Classic Reward seats.
Also Read: Qantas Flights Face Holiday Disruptions: QF63 and US-Australia Delays Spark Reactions
Classic Plus Reward Seats and Other New Offerings
Qantas has also put an extra 1 million seats on sale, including Classic Plus Reward seats. These seats are available on over 100 domestic routes, with prices starting as low as 6,200 points for short-haul flights like Sydney to the Gold Coast or Melbourne to Adelaide.
The introduction of Classic Plus has already proven to be a game-changer. Bookings have surged, with Qantas noting an 80% increase in overseas travel during the December holiday period.
More Points Earned on Qantas Domestic Flights
From July 2025, Qantas Frequent Flyers will earn up to 25% more points on domestic flights. This is part of a broader effort to enhance the program’s value for members. Additionally, the airline will remove the earn cap for tiered members flying in premium cabins. This means members will earn more points when flying in Business or First Class.
Andrew Glance, CEO of Qantas Loyalty, highlighted that this move will significantly benefit members. He explained that the increase in points earned would lead to an additional 4 billion points being distributed to members annually. This change will make it easier for tiered members to earn their next reward faster.
Cheaper Reward Seats with Jetstar
For Jetstar passengers, Qantas is introducing the lowest reward seat fare in Australia. From August 2025, Jetstar short-haul flights like Sydney to the Gold Coast and Melbourne to Adelaide will start at just 5,700 points. This move is aimed at helping members access reward seats quicker and with fewer points.
Jetstar will also offer opportunities to upgrade to Business Class on some flights, with improvements to the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. This upgrade will more than double business class capacity on these flights by February 2026.
Increased Demand Leads to Changes in Reward Seat Pricing
Starting in August 2025, Qantas will increase the number of points required for both Classic Reward seats and Classic Upgrades. This will mark the first increase in six years. The adjustment aims to balance the growing demand for reward seats with the need to sustain the program.
For example, a Business Class Classic Reward seat from Sydney to Melbourne will increase from 18,400 points to 19,300 points. Similarly, a Sydney to London Economy seat will rise from 55,200 points to 63,500 points.
The changes to Classic Reward seat pricing are necessary to support the program’s long-term sustainability. Glance mentioned that this adjustment would ensure Qantas can continue to invest in the program and offer more reward seats year after year.
Streamlined Access to Premium Cabins and International Flights
The increase in available premium cabin seats, along with the new partnerships, will offer Qantas Frequent Flyers more flexibility when booking international flights. Premium Economy seats will be available for booking on flights with Finnair, Air France, KLM, and Iberia for the first time.
Members will also have access to more seats on Hawaiian Airlines, including routes between Sydney and Honolulu. These additions will help meet the rising demand for reward seats on popular international routes.
A Positive Outlook for Qantas Frequent Flyers
Frequent Flyer has evolved significantly over the past four decades. Glance remarked that these changes are designed to continue enhancing the program for loyal members. The changes reflect Qantas’ commitment to providing members with better access to rewards, more ways to earn points, and more flexibility when it comes to booking travel.
With the expansion of reward seat availability and the launch of Classic Plus, Qantas is offering its members greater value than ever before. The airline’s broadening partnerships and enhancements to the domestic flight program will benefit members who travel frequently within Australia.
Looking Ahead to 2025 and Beyond
Qantas’ Frequent Flyer program overhaul will roll out in stages, with many of the changes taking effect by mid-2025. For example, members will begin earning additional points for domestic flights from July 2025. These changes will not only allow members to reach their reward goals faster but also ensure that Qantas remains competitive as other airlines adjust their loyalty programs.
The upcoming changes to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program reflect a strategic focus on rewarding loyalty and enhancing the customer experience. By increasing the number of reward seats available and offering better points earn rates, Qantas is positioning itself as a leader in the airline loyalty space for years to come.
In conclusion, these changes are the biggest to the program in six years. They are designed to give members more ways to earn, redeem, and enjoy their Qantas Frequent Flyer points. Whether it’s flying to a domestic destination with Jetstar or booking a premium seat on an international flight, Qantas is set to provide its Frequent Flyers with more rewards and opportunities than ever before.