Qantas completely overhauls it’s frequent flyer program – with one million extra rewards seat – so what does it mean for YOU?
- Airline Qantas has announced some major changes to its frequent flyer program
- Chief executive Alan Joyce is unveiling the biggest program overhaul in 32 years
- It will be setting aside one million seats just for frequent flyer loyalty customers
- Qantas last month announced a first-ever flight paid for by frequent flyer points
Qantas has announced the biggest overhaul of its frequent flyer program in 32 years by making one million extra seats available for its loyalty customers and offering more discounts.
Chief executive Alan Joyce and head of the airline’s loyalty division Olivia Wirth unveiled a series of changes on Thursday that will see Qantas’s 13million frequent flyers members pay ‘significantly less’ for international flights, access more seats and earn more points even while they sleep.
Australia’s national carrier already allows its loyal customers to earn points by paying off their mobile or energy bills or contribute to their superannuation.
Qantas is set to announce what Australia’s largest airline says will be the biggest overhaul in the 32-year history of its frequent flyer program
Mr Joyce said 70 per cent of frequent flyer points were already earned on the ground.
‘In fact, I’m still amazed that Olivia found a way for people to earn points while they sleep,’ he told reporters on Thursday.
As part of the overhaul for frequent flyers, one million extra seats will be set aside every year for on Qantas and new partner airlines, like Emirates.
Frequent flyers also stand to save up to 50 per cent on international bookings, saving an average of $200 per return journey.
Qantas Loyalty, which allows customers to earn redeemable points by booking flights, shopping at retailers including Woolworths and using linked credit cards, made a $372 million profit in the last financial year off revenue of $1.55 billion.
Qantas last month announced its first-ever so-called ‘points plane’ from Melbourne to Tokyo, with seats on the October flight reserved solely for those paying with frequent flyer points.
The Australian airline’s loyalty programs have 12million members.
The frequent flyer changes are being revealed a day after Qantas Group announced it had bought 36 Airbus A321 extra long-range aircraft, which will be delivered from 2024 onwards.
They can fly 8,700km without refuelling, with the aircraft having fuel tanks in the belly for extra range.
Qantas has 12million loyalty program members and last month allowed for an entire flight from Melbourne to Tokyo to be paid for entirely by frequent flyer points (stock image)