Latest news with #ClassicReward
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Qantas just devalued your frequent flyer points, but there's an upside
Qantas has just raised the bar for its frequent flyers, requiring more points for its Classic Reward seats. Since last Tuesday a Classic Rewards economy seat aboard Qantas between Melbourne and Sydney costs 9200 points, an increase of 1200 points, or 15 per cent. The fees stay the same, at $55. In business class, a Classic Rewards seat on that flight now requires 19,300 points, an increase of less than 5 per cent, plus a $21 increase in fees. On a Qantas Sydney-London flight, a Classic Rewards seat in economy class now costs 63,500 points, which is also a 15 per cent rise on the 55,200 points prior to August 5. Fees remain the same at $263. Regardless of which class you're flying, a Classic Reward seat now costs about 15-20 per cent more points than it did before August 5. The exception is premium economy, business and first-class seats aboard flights between 600-2400 miles (965-3862 kilometres), which have only increased by about 5 per cent. The number of points required for an International Classic Upgrade Reward to business class has now increased by 10-20 per cent depending on the flight distance, with shorter flights around the 10 per cent mark. At the same time, Qantas has added a sugarcoating to the pill, announcing 400,000 more reward seats available across its domestic and international fleet in all cabins. Based on figures supplied in Qantas' 2024 annual report, those 400,000 seats represent about 0.6 per cent of seats on all the airline's flights. Most of those seats will be on dedicated Points Planes, where every seat across all cabins can be secured with points (the first release launched last week and finished on Saturday, but Qantas promises more to come). The deal includes almost 25,000 seats to Paris and Los Angeles on Qantas flights, more than 40,000 seats on Points Planes to Japan and Singapore on Jetstar flights. Also, almost 135,000 seats will be available on Points Planes for just 5700 points, the lowest reward seat fare in Australia and on Jetstar flights within New Zealand. However, the availability of reward seats on some of its most desirable routes is skewed towards off-peak periods. For example, those 25,000 reward seats to Paris are only available for travel in November 2025, to Los Angeles in February 2026. With excess capacity in those months, the airline is offering reward seats to soak up seats that might otherwise be empty. Another plus, Qantas flyers now earn more points when they fly with the airline. Effective from July 21, just over two weeks before this latest announcement, Qantas boosted the number of frequent flyer points earned on its domestic flights by 25 per cent. For the airlines' higher-tier frequent flyers holding Silver status and above the deal is even sweeter. A Qantas Platinum member flying business class between Sydney and Melbourne now earns 3500 Qantas points, an increase of 1500 points, or 75 per cent. On international flights the increase is not nearly as generous. A Qantas Gold member flying Sydney to Los Angeles in the airline's business class now earns 25,594 Qantas points, about a 20 per cent increase. Qantas has also removed the earn cap for tiered members travelling in premium cabins, set to deliver almost 4 billion additional points for members each year. Winners and losers
The Age
2 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Qantas just devalued your frequent flyer points, but there's an upside
Qantas has just raised the bar for its frequent flyers, requiring more points for its Classic Reward seats. Since last Tuesday a Classic Rewards economy seat aboard Qantas between Melbourne and Sydney costs 9200 points, an increase of 1200 points, or 15 per cent. The fees stay the same, at $55. In business class, a Classic Rewards seat on that flight now requires 19,300 points, an increase of less than 5 per cent, plus a $21 increase in fees. On a Qantas Sydney-London flight, a Classic Rewards seat in economy class now costs 63,500 points, which is also a 15 per cent rise on the 55,200 points prior to August 5. Fees remain the same at $263. Regardless of which class you're flying, a Classic Reward seat now costs about 15-20 per cent more points than it did before August 5. The exception is premium economy, business and first-class seats aboard flights between 600-2400 miles (965-3862 kilometres), which have only increased by about 5 per cent. The number of points required for an International Classic Upgrade Reward to business class has now increased by 10-20 per cent depending on the flight distance, with shorter flights around the 10 per cent mark. At the same time, Qantas has added a sugarcoating to the pill, announcing 400,000 more reward seats available across its domestic and international fleet in all cabins. Based on figures supplied in Qantas' 2024 annual report, those 400,000 seats represent about 0.6 per cent of seats on all the airline's flights. Most of those seats will be on dedicated Points Planes, where every seat across all cabins can be secured with points (the first release launched last week and finished on Saturday, but Qantas promises more to come). The deal includes almost 25,000 seats to Paris and Los Angeles on Qantas flights, more than 40,000 seats on Points Planes to Japan and Singapore on Jetstar flights.
Sky News AU
7 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
‘Most people don't know': Points guru Steve Hui reveals best frequent flyer programs after Qantas devaluation
A points expert has weighed in on Qantas' move to 'devalue' frequent flyer points by up to 20 per cent and revealed the top three airline rewards programs. On Tuesday, Qantas officially updated the 'value' of its Frequent Flyer points, which saw the number of points required to redeem flight rewards increase by up to 20 per cent. These changes represent the first increase to Classic reward seat pricing in six years and second time since 2004. Steve Hui is the founder iFLYflat, a business which helps companies and individuals strategise and maximise their points-earning potential. 'We're about earning points on the ground then using the points to pay for the flight,' he told Often called Australia's 'points whisperer', Mr Hui is the go-to guy for securing business class travel for rock bottom prices by utilising points. Mr Hui said the Qantas move was a 'wake up call' for Aussies looking to get more value out of their airline rewards points. 'It's a wake up call not to have all your eggs in one basket,' he said. 'If all you had is Qantas, then your points are now worth 20 per cent less today.' However, the expert also credited the flying kangaroo for their transparency and pointed out airlines often devalue points leaving most flyers 'none the wiser'. 'Most people don't know how many points it takes to fly so in that way, Qantas were generous in giving people notice,' he said. Ahead of the devaluation, Qantas pre-emptively boosted the number of points members will earn on Qantas domestic flights by up to 25 per cent, delivering around 4 billion additional points for members each year. Beginning later this year, members will have access to up to 1 million additional international Classic Reward seats with flagship partners Finnair, Air France, KLM, and Hawaiian Airlines. Meanwhile, Virgin Velocity made a series of changes to its program in January, making reward seats more expensive across its international and partner network. When it comes to airline rewards programs, Mr Hui says three international players are nearly unbeatable for value, especially redeeming business class flights with points. 'Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer), Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles) and Qatar Airways (Avios) offer most bang for buck,' he said. 'But unlike Qantas and Virgin you couldn't just go to the corner shop and earn points for other airlines.' Earning points from foreign airlines is set to get a whole lot easier with the launch of the app Passport Rewards on Wednesday. Points earned through purchases made via the Passport Rewards app can then be transferred to a range of airline reward programs, including Cathay Pacific, Etihad and Qatar Airways. From Sydney to London to New York, members earn rewards simply by linking their debit or credit card and shopping as they normally would. Over 300 retail partners including Woolworths, BWS, Myer, Bing Lee, Big W, Virgin Australia, Guess, Breville, Puma, and Lenovo have already signed on. Once you start building a points stash, Mr Hui urged travellers to resist the temptation to pay half cash, half points for an economy flight, which effectively dilutes the value of the points. 'The 'half half' flights are terrible value, you just don't want to pay part with cash,' he said. 'The airlines want to give you lots of options (but) you've got to know the right option to choose.' Instead, try to store up points for bigger ticket items, like an international business class flight.
Sky News AU
05-08-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Classic Reward seats to cost more as Qantas hikes points by up to 20 per cent in 2025 overhaul
Qantas has announced updates to its Frequent Flyer program for 2025, confirming that Classic Reward seat bookings and upgrades will soon require more points, with some increases reaching up to 20 per cent. This marks the first major revision to the points system since 2019 and will affect almost all Classic Reward seats and upgrades across domestic and international flights. Starting on August 6, 2025, travellers booking with Qantas points will notice higher redemption rates. For instance, an Economy Classic Reward flight between Sydney and Melbourne will rise from 8,000 points to 9,200. International flights in premium cabins will also see an increase, with some bookings requiring 20 per cent more points. Meanwhile, domestic business class flights will only be hiked by five per cent. Qantas is also expanding access to reward seats, and up to 1 million additional Classic Reward seats will become available from next year, including options in premium cabins and through new and existing global airline partners. CEO of Qantas Loyalty Andrew Glance said the changes would give members more flexibility and availability for using their points. 'With over 45 airline partners, including new additions like Hawaiian Airlines and expanded premium cabin options with Finnair, Air France, KLM and Iberia, our members will have more opportunities to use their points for travel,' Mr Glance said. He said these updates responded to the growing demand for reward seats and helped Qantas make more seats available so members could book the trips they had been dreaming about. Qantas also revealed that Frequent Flyer members were set to earn an extra four billion points this year. Additionally, tiered members flying in premium cabins within Australia will need fewer flights to reach their next reward booking. While redemption rates are increasing, members can still book Classic Reward seats at current points levels up until 11:59pm AEST on August 5, 2025, for travel through to June 2026. Qantas allows bookings up to 11 months in advance, providing a window for travellers to secure flights before the new rates apply.
Man of Many
04-08-2025
- Business
- Man of Many
Exactly How Much Value Your Qantas Frequent Flyer Points Will Lose Tomorrow
Point costs rising by up to 20 % from August 5th 2025 Book before August 5th 2025, to lock current rates until July 2026 Upgrades cost 10–20 % more Frequent Flyer points across many routes Earn up to 25 % extra points on flights post-change One million extra international Classic Reward seats added via new partners since January 2025 Qantas has increased the Frequent Flyer points required to book seats and upgrades across its network. That means that you're about to lose up to 20 per cent of the value of your Qantas Frequent Flyer points as the airline increases the Classic Reward seat pricing for the first time in six years, the second increase since 2004. If you're thinking about booking that overseas holiday, time is running out. You can book Classic Reward seats up to 11 months in advance, which means members who book before August 5th, 2025, can lock in travel at the current points fare on flights until early July 2026. Still, most of us won't be able to forecast an overseas holiday. That leaves us wondering exactly what our Frequent Flyer points will be worth after the increase. Well, we've done some research, and using a document put together by Qantas, we've detailed the points and fee increases across some of the brand's most popular routes. Let's check it out! Qantas winglet | Image: Unsplash / Joseph Bobadila Bad News: Your Qantas Frequent Flyer Points Have Been Devalued While the advertised 'up to 20 per cent' increase on points costs has been shoved down our earholes since January, the reality looks slightly better. Most flights only see a 15 per cent increase in the number of points required, including Qantas Economy SYD to LHR and Qantas Economy SYD to MEL, two of the airline's most popular flights. Still, those flying in Business will have to cough up additional fees. Here are some examples of how much the Frequent Flyer points cost have increased across some of the most popular domestic and international flights: Jetstar Economy MEL to CNS : 14,400 to 16,600 points (+15.3%) : 14,400 to 16,600 points (+15.3%) Qantas Economy SYD to MEL : 8,000 to 9,200 points (+15.0%) : 8,000 to 9,200 points (+15.0%) Qantas Business SYD to MEL : 18,400 to 19,300 points (+4.9%) + $55 to $76 fees : 18,400 to 19,300 points (+4.9%) + $55 to $76 fees Qantas Economy SYD to DPS : 20,300 to 23,300 points (+14.8%) : 20,300 to 23,300 points (+14.8%) Qantas Economy SYD to LHR : 55,200 to 63,500 points (+15.0%) : 55,200 to 63,500 points (+15.0%) Qantas Business SYD to LHR : 144,600 to 166,300 points (+15.0%) + $473 to $648 fees : 144,600 to 166,300 points (+15.0%) + $473 to $648 fees British Airways Economy SYD to LHR : 66,200 to 76,100 points (+15.0%) : 66,200 to 76,100 points (+15.0%) Emirates Business SYD to LHR: 159,000 to 166,300 points (+4.6%) The increase in points costs is tough enough to stomach for frequent flyers, but the double whammy of points and fees is what hurts on some of the most popular international routes. Sydney to London increased the points cost by 144,600 to 166,300 (+15.0%), but the fees have increased from $473 to $648 (+37.0%). Meanwhile, domestically, the popular Qantas Business Sydney to Melbourne will incur a modest 18,400 to 19,300 (+4.9%) points increase, but a $55 to $76 fee increase (+38.2%) More Bad News: Upgrade Requests More Expensive Upgrading with a Classic Upgrade request on domestic and international flights will also cost you more. Here are some examples of how much the upgrade costs will increase across some domestic and international flights: Discount Economy upgrade to Business SYD to PER : +5,400 points (27,200 to 32,600)(+19.9 %) : +5,400 points (27,200 to 32,600)(+19.9 %) Flexible Economy upgrade to Business SYD to MEL : +800 points (5,400 to 6,200)(+14.8 %) : +800 points (5,400 to 6,200)(+14.8 %) Economy upgrade to Business SYD to LAX : +19,600 points (98,100 to 117,700)(+20.0 %) : +19,600 points (98,100 to 117,700)(+20.0 %) Flexible Economy upgrade to Business SYD to DPS: +1,800 points (17,900 to 19,700)(+10.1 %) Based on the information provided in the January release: Sydney to Melbourne Business will go from 18,400 points + $55 to 19,300 points + $76 Sydney to London Economy will go from 55,200 points + $263 to 63,500 points + $263 That's a 4.9 % increase in the number of points it will cost you to fly business from Sydney to Melbourne and a 38.2 % increase in the amount of cash it will cost. Internationally, the Sydney to London Economy flight represents a 15.0 % increase in the number of points, but a 0% increase in the amount of cash. Qantas A380 | Image: Unsplash / Troy Mortier Good News: You Will Earn More Frequent Flyer Points Qantas Frequent Flyers will earn up to 25 per cent more points on Qantas domestic flights. Here are some examples of how many more points you will earn across some domestic and international flights: Bronze Economy SYD to PER : +365 points (1,450 to 1,815) : +365 points (1,450 to 1,815) Bronze Business MEL to BNE : +525 points (2,100 to 2,625) : +525 points (2,100 to 2,625) Platinum Business SYD to MEL : +1,500 points (2,000 to 3,500) : +1,500 points (2,000 to 3,500) Gold Business SYD to LAX: +4,219 points (21,375 to 25,594) It's important to note that your status determines the number of points you earn. Generally, Bronze Frequent Flyers earn the least, and Platinum Frequent Flyers earn the most. The airline will also remove the Status Bonus cap for tiered members flying in premium cabins. Previously, bonus points were capped at the Flexible Economy earn rate. Now, members will earn bonus points on the full base fare in their flown cabin. Platinum Business SYD to MEL : +1,500 points (2,000 to 3,500) : +1,500 points (2,000 to 3,500) Gold Business SYD to LAX: +4,219 points (21,375 to 25,594) However, we must put that increase into context to determine if the maths works out. You earn more points on a Gold Business SYD to LAX flight (25,594), but you must complete that route 6.49 times to cover the points cost of a Qantas Business Sydney to London flight. Previously, you would've had to complete the Sydney to LAX flight 6.76 times to cover the points cost of a Sydney to London Business flight. Still, even if you're up on points, the fee increase evens things out. More Good News: More Seats Available On International Flights The final important piece of news is that up to 1 million additional international Classic Reward seats have been made available since January 2025. With new partnerships between Finnair, Air France, KLM and Iberia in premium cabins, and across the entire Hawaiian Airlines network, Premium Economy reward seats will be available to book on Finnair, Air France, KLM and Iberia for the first time, and Classic Reward seats on Hawaiian Airlines. Simply put, you might finally be able to book the seat you want, but it might not be on the plane you wish to, or the carrier you first had in mind. Still, a Premium Economy reward seat on a Finnair does sound rather enticing to our inner plane nerd. What Qantas Says About the Points Fare Increase Speaking on the news back in January, Qantas CEO Andrew Glance said: '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, including 1,000 Classic seats in premium cabins to international destinations,' the statement reads. 'In addition, thousands of Classic Upgrades are confirmed every week on Qantas flights. 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.' 'Classic Plus, which represents a $120 million investment in the program, has been a game changer since launching last April. Bookings are up threefold on initial expectations, and over the December holiday period, we saw an 80 per cent increase in members travelling overseas with their points. We've also launched nearly 20 sales since Classic Plus was introduced and announced another sale yesterday, discounting millions of reward seats for members across all cabin types.' 'A lot has changed in the last six years,' the statement continues. '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. That's why our reward fare changes won't come into effect for at least another six months.' Of course, that time has now come, and Qantas Frequent Flyer loyalists are about to cop an up to 20 per cent increase from the 5th of August, 2025. 'We now have partnerships with over 45 airlines, giving members greater flexibility and choice in how they want to be rewarded. 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 to book that dream overseas trip.' 'This year will see our members earn an additional 4 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. This means tiered members flying in premium cabins domestically require fewer flights to earn their next reward booking.'
