How To Get The Most Out Of 100,000 Qantas Points

Edward Alder
Aug 8, 2017 · 5 min read

Got a decent Qantas Point balance of 100,000 points and no immediate plans to use them? We’re here to help!

This post outlines some of the best-value redemption options, when it comes to using Qantas Points at or around the six-figure mark.

One key thing to note is that the best value redemption options are by redeeming for Premium Economy, Business or First Class flights.

To understand why, consider joining the Point Hacks ‘earning more points’ email course.

Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane to New Zealand in Emirates First and Business (90,000 Qantas Points return)

Arguably one of the best and quickest redemptions to use Qantas Points for glamorous travel, Emirates flies to various locations on their A380 fleet, which features an on-board shower for First Class passengers.

Emirates A380 Trans-Tasman First Class overview

A one-way First Class redemption costs 54,000 points and Business Class 36,000 points.

So, you could fly First in one direction and Business the other for a total of 90,000 points. If you have some more points, you might as well fly in First both ways for 18,000 more (108,000 in total).

Emirates A380 Trans-Tasman Business Class overview

When flying First out of Sydney or Melbourne, you’ll get access to the excellent Qantas International First Lounges; Brisbane also has a new shared lounge for First and Business passengers.

Qantas International First Lounge, Melbourne overview

Fly between the East and West Coast return in a modern Qantas A330 Business Suite (72,000)

Qantas has been refurbishing its large fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft with their new Business Class seating.

It has now been introduced on most East-West Coast flights. All seats have direct-aisle access in the 1-2-1 configuration.

Qantas A330 domestic Business Class overview

We are ridiculously lucky with the quality of Business Class cabins in the market here in Australia, with both Qantas and Virgin Australia on another level to many other carriers globally. This is the cream of the world’s domestic Business Class crop.

Do also note that two of Qantas’ daily flights between Sydney and Auckland are now serviced by the Airbus A330, giving you another opportunity to fly this product.

Jump around Asia in Cathay Pacific First Class (from 26,000 one-way)

This cabin is flown exclusively on the Boeing 777-300ER, with six open suites in a private 1-1-1 configuration.

It is renowned for its wide seat and excellent lounge access options, including The Wing and The Pier lounges when departing from Hong Kong Airport.

The oneworld carrier operates this product mostly on long-haul flights between Hong Kong and North America/Europe, but it also puts it on services to select Asian cities, with the cheapest redemption being the two-hour flight to Taipei for just 26,000 points!

Bangkok and Manila are a little further away at 38,000 points, and Singapore and Tokyo at 56,000 points, which is still great value given the latter flights retail from $3,000.

Another nifty option is the five-hour fifth-freedom flight that Cathay operate between Vancouver and New York, costing 78,000 points.

Learn how to make a booking in our beginner’s guide to using points on Cathay Pacific flights.

Adelaide/Sydney/Melbourne to Doha in Qatar Airways Business Class (104,000 one-way)

On Qatar flights from Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, you’ll get a fully-flat bed stretching to 203 cm with a 17-inch personal entertainment screen, as well as an on-board bar.

Qatar Airways A350 Business Class overview

Qatar also operates flights to Perth and a new one to Canberra via Sydney, but they use the older 777 product.

Read more about the offerings in our guide to using points on Qatar Airways flights.

Sydney/Brisbane to Lord Howe Island in Qantas Economy (16,000 return)

When flying in and out of smaller airports with little competition, whether in Australia or overseas, tickets bought with cash can be very expensive.

Say you want to fly to Lord Howe Island. The only direct flights (which are two hours or less) are from Sydney and Brisbane on Qantas, and cost upwards of $1000 return.

Beautiful Lord Howe Island

Compare that to the similarly-distanced Sydney-Adelaide flight, which with more competition, can cost as little as $280 return on Qantas.

Forking out just 16,000 points vs $1,000 cash for a return Economy ticket to Lord Howe Island (the Bombardier Dash 8 that operates these routes only has 36-50 all-Economy seats) would represent 6.25c per-point value, which is absolutely great.

You could take yourself and five family members or friends for less than 100,000 points!

Note: that it can be hard to find award availability on these monopolised routes, as there isn’t much incentive for Qantas to prioritise award seats over cash ones. Sometimes you can find open seats when the calendar first opens up, or last-minute in the two weeks before departure.

Looking for more inspiration for how to spend your hard-earned frequent flyer points?

This guide was originally written by Point Hacks’ expert Nelson Yap.

……continue reading the full guide to see more recommendations and tips here.

Edward Alder

Written by

Edward is CEO of Point Hacks, helping consumers earn and redeem rewards points and has over 15 years experience as a Senior Executive

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