Qantas has plans to offer credit to Aussies who get the Covid vaccin

Australians who get the Covid vaccine could be given travel vouchers, frequent flyers points and status credits by Qantas under a new plan from the airline. 

Eager to get the international border reopened, the carrier has flagged the plan this week in an effort to encourage Aussies to get the jab. 

‘Qantas is a big supporter of Australia’s vaccine rollout because of what it means for public health, but also because it’s the key to keeping our domestic borders open and safely restarting international travel as well,’ Qantas Chief Customer Officer Stephanie Tully said.

‘We’re still thinking through how this would work, but the incentive could be Qantas points, Qantas or Jetstar flight vouchers, or status credits for frequent flyers.’

Among the potential perks for those who get the vaccine would be 1000 Qantas points, which could also be claimed by those who have already been inoculated. 

The airline also said boosting vaccine rates was key for getting the company’s pilots, flight attendants, ground crews, and customer service staff back to work. 

‘As a large company that relies on travel to put our people and planes back to work, we’re obviously motivated to help with the national vaccine effort,’ Ms Tully said.

Qantas previously confirmed they would require passengers travelling internationally with them when borders re-open to prove they have been vaccinated. 

Covid jabs in Australia are not compulsory and low case numbers combined with hesitancy over the AstraZeneca option have contributed to a lagging vaccine rollout. 

The country’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said earlier this week the government was also looking at incentives to motivate the public. 

‘I think we really do need to look for incentives, as many incentives as we can, for people to become vaccinated,’ Professor Kelly said.

Such schemes are already underway in the United States – for example earlier this month Ohio announced the names of those vaccinated would be entered into a $1million lottery.

Alabama said those vaccinated would be allowed to drive two laps on the Talladega Superspeedway – a NASCAR racetrack – if they got the shot at a nearby vaccine hub. 

A renewed push for Australians to get the vaccine is underway following a Covid cluster emerging in Melbourne, which reached 26 cases on Thursday. 

The outbreak has forced Victoria into a snap seven day lockdown, with other states quick to bring in travel restrictions. 

The lockdown has also left the largely Victorian based AFL scrambling with some matches in the state to be played in front of empty stadiums and others relocated interstate. 

Many teams rushed their players out of Melbourne ahead of the lockdown which began on Thursday night.