Qantas has made significant changes to its widely used frequent flyer program, which will result in higher costs for redeeming reward seats. The airline has stated that while loyalty members will earn more points when flying, they will also need to use more points to book fares and will face an increase in the monetary cost of these seats.
Starting in August of this year, Qantas Frequent Flyer members will require a higher number of points to book seats and upgrades on both domestic and international flights. Additionally, Qantas is introducing the lowest one-way economy reward seat, available for 5700 points, for Jetstar short-haul domestic flights in Australia and New Zealand.
The earning cap for tiered members travelling in premium cabins will also be scrapped.
This year, Qantas anticipates its members earning an extra four billion points due to an increase in points earned for domestic travel and the removal of the earn cap for tiered members traveling in premium cabins, according to Glance, a spokesperson for the airline.
“This means tiered members flying in premium cabins domestically require fewer flights to earn their next reward booking.”
Loyalty members will also be given access to up to one million international reward seats on partner airlines, including Air France, Finnair, KLM and Iberia, Qantas said.
