Major change for Qantas Frequent Flyer Points program with millions of customers affected
In the first major change to the popular program since 2019, Qantas has increased the number of points required for most reward seats, including a 15 per cent to 20 per cent increase in business and first-class redemptions.
For domestic flights, the airline has increased the number of points by 5 per cent. Qantas is also increasing fees and surcharges, in a second blow after the points devaluation.
A Sydney to Melbourne business class seat will jump from 18,400 points and $55, to 19,300 points, plus $76.
Meanwhile, a Sydney to London economy class seat will go from 55,200 points and $263, to 63,000 points plus $263.
The changes will take effect on August 5.
The good news for customers is that Qantas will release up to one million more Classic Rewards seats, through deals with Hawaiian Airlines, Finnair, Air France, KLM and Iberia.
Meanwhile, Jetstar will now offer Reward seats starting from just 5700 points.
The route will be from Sydney to the Gold Coast which was 6400 points and $35, to now 5700 points and $35.
Qantas also says passengers can earn up to 25 per cent more points on domestic flights and the removal of the earn cap from tiered members travelling in premium cabins.
For example, for a Platinum member flying business class from Sydney to Melbourne previously earned 2000 points, now they will earn 3500 points.
Qantas Loyalty CEO Andrew Glance said: '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.'
The points change comes after the Qantas hack occurred last month.
The national carrier said cyber criminals had targeted a call centre and gained access to a third-party customer servicing platform. Personal details, including Qantas Frequent Flyer details, were obtained.
'We then took immediate steps and contained the system. We can confirm all Qantas systems remain secure,' the airline said.
'There are six million customers that have service records in this platform.
'We are continuing to investigate the proportion of the data that has been stolen, though we expect it will be significant.
'An initial review has confirmed the data includes some customers' names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates and frequent flyer numbers.'
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