qantas airline travel requirements

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Qantas becomes one of the first airlines to require that international passengers be vaccinated.

The chief executive of the airline’s parent company said he hoped the policy would be in place “by Christmas."

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By Heather Murphy

• Sept. 9, 2021

Qantas, Australia’s largest airline, will require that all passengers on international flights are vaccinated against the coronavirus when it restarts worldwide operations in December, its chief executive said Wednesday, making it one of the first airlines in the world to require proof of vaccination for everyone on board.

Alan Joyce, the chief executive of the airline’s parent company, Qantas Group, made the announcement in an interview with the Trans-Tasman Business Circle, a network for business leaders in Australia and New Zealand.

“Qantas will have a policy that internationally we’ll only be carrying vaccinated passengers because we think that’s going to be one of the requirements to show that you’re flying safe,” he said, adding that many countries are requiring arriving travelers to be vaccinated anyway. He said he hoped the policy would be in place “by Christmas.”

Qantas, which is headquartered in Sydney, suspended international operations during the pandemic — but did resume flights to New Zealand in April this year before suspending them again on July 31 . The airline plans to restart flights abroad in December. Mr. Joyce said in November of last year that he was considering banning unvaccinated travelers on international flights, but did not offer a timeline.

Other airlines have announced that they will require flight attendants and pilots to be vaccinated, but few other airlines have committed to banning unvaccinated passengers. Air Canada seems to be the only other airline that is poised to soon begin turning away unvaccinated passengers. By the end of October , the Canadian government will require all commercial airline employees and passengers to be vaccinated. Air Canada endorsed the government’s position in August.

Leonard J. Marcus, the co-director of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University and the director of an initiative focused on public health on flights, said he hoped that other airlines would follow Qantas’s lead.

“I think this would be a bold and courageous step in the right direction,” he said. Requiring passenger vaccinations is currently easier in Australia than in other parts of the world, he said, because the country has a uniform system of validating vaccination status , in contrast to places like the United States.

A spokeswoman for Qantas said that the airline would permit people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons to fly, but the policy for children too young to be eligible for vaccination has not yet been finalized.

Qantas has made vaccination central to its marketing strategy throughout the pandemic. A recent television ad , which has been widely shared, shows Australians longing to travel and then getting vaccinations before heading off on international flights.

Heather Murphy is a reporter on the Travel desk. She welcomes tips, questions and complaints about traveling during the pandemic. More about Heather Murphy

Understanding The Latest Travel Restrictions Imposed By Qantas

• Last updated Oct 07, 2023
• Difficulty Intemediate

• Category United States

Are you dreaming of exploring the vibrant cities, stunning landscapes, and majestic wonders of Australia? If so, you may need to familiarize yourself with Qantas travel restrictions. As the national carrier of Australia, Qantas plays a vital role in connecting travelers to their desired destinations. However, with the current global situation, it's essential to stay informed about the various requirements and limitations imposed by the airline. Whether it's quarantine rules, entry permits, or vaccination requirements, understanding Qantas travel restrictions will help you plan your dream Australian adventure seamlessly. So, buckle up and get ready to navigate the world of Qantas travel restrictions as we uncover everything you need to know before embarking on your Australian escapade.

What You'll Learn

What are the current travel restrictions implemented by qantas due to the covid-19 pandemic, are there any specific requirements or documents needed for international travelers flying with qantas during this time, how have the travel restrictions affected qantas flights and schedules, are there any exemptions or allowances for certain types of travelers, such as essential workers or citizens returning home, how frequently are the travel restrictions reviewed and updated, and where can one find the most up-to-date information on qantas travel restrictions.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect travel patterns worldwide, airlines like Qantas have implemented various travel restrictions to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent the spread of the virus. These restrictions are in line with government regulations and public health guidelines. Here is an overview of the current travel restrictions implemented by Qantas:

• Border Restrictions: Qantas is closely monitoring border restrictions and travel advisories issued by both domestic and international authorities. They are continuously updating their flight schedules and routes based on these restrictions. It is important for travelers to stay updated on border restrictions and check the latest travel advisories before planning their trips.
• Quarantine Requirements: Many countries have implemented mandatory quarantine measures for incoming travelers. Qantas passengers may be required to undergo quarantine upon arrival at their destination, depending on the local regulations. It is advisable to check the specific quarantine requirements of the destination before booking a flight.
• COVID-19 Testing: Some countries and airlines require passengers to provide a negative COVID-19 test result before traveling. Qantas may have specific testing requirements for certain destinations. Passengers should check whether they need to undergo a COVID-19 test before boarding and what type of test is accepted.
• Travel Documentation: Qantas requires passengers to possess the appropriate travel documentation, including passports, visas, and health certificates. It is essential to ensure that all travel documents are valid and up to date before the journey. Failure to present the necessary documents may result in denied boarding.
• Face Masks: Qantas requires all passengers and crew members to wear face masks throughout their entire journey, including during check-in, boarding, and the flight. It is mandatory to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth, except when eating or drinking.
• Social Distancing: Qantas has implemented social distancing measures wherever possible. This includes adjusted seating arrangements, queuing systems, and reduced capacity on flights. Passengers are advised to maintain a safe distance from others and follow any instructions or guidelines provided by the airline staff.
• Enhanced Cleaning and Sanitization: Qantas has enhanced their cleaning and sanitization procedures to ensure a safe and hygienic environment for passengers. High-contact areas such as seats, armrests, tray tables, and lavatories are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between flights. Hand sanitizers are also available throughout the journey.

It is important to note that travel restrictions are subject to change based on the evolving nature of the pandemic. Passengers are advised to regularly check Qantas' official website or contact their customer service for the most up-to-date information regarding travel restrictions and requirements. Following these restrictions and guidelines will help ensure a safe and smooth travel experience during these challenging times.

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If you are planning to fly internationally with Qantas during this time, there are some specific requirements and documents that you need to be aware of. These requirements have been put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers and to comply with international travel regulations. Here are the key things you need to know:

• COVID-19 Test: Many countries now require international travelers to have a negative COVID-19 test before entering. Qantas also requires passengers to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within a specific timeframe prior to travel. The exact timing may vary depending on your destination, so it is essential to check the specific requirements for your route. Make sure to book your test in advance and allow enough time for the results to be available before your flight.
• Travel Authorization: Some countries also require a travel authorization or visa to enter. You need to check the entry requirements for your destination country and apply for the necessary authorization if required. Make sure to check the validity and processing time for the authorization, as it may take some time to obtain it.
• Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date. Some countries may require a longer validity period, so it is always wise to have a valid passport well in advance of your travel. If your passport is nearing expiry, consider renewing it before your trip.
• Visa: Check if your destination country requires a visa for entry. If so, make sure to apply for the appropriate visa well in advance. Some visas may have specific requirements, such as proof of accommodation or travel insurance, so make sure to gather all the necessary documentation before applying.
• Health Declarations: In addition to the COVID-19 test, some countries may require passengers to fill out health declaration forms prior to arrival. These forms typically ask about your recent travel history and any symptoms you may have. Make sure to complete these forms accurately and honestly to avoid any issues upon arrival.
• COVID-19 Travel Insurance: As international travel comes with certain risks during this time, it is highly recommended to have adequate travel insurance that covers COVID-related expenses. Check with your insurance provider to ensure you have the appropriate coverage for your trip.
• Quarantine Requirements: Many countries have implemented mandatory quarantine requirements for incoming travelers. Make sure to check the specific quarantine requirements for your destination and plan accordingly. Some countries may require you to quarantine at a designated facility, while others may allow home quarantine. Take into account the duration and cost of quarantine when planning your trip.

It is crucial to stay informed and up-to-date with the latest travel advisories and requirements. Regulations and requirements can change frequently, so make sure to check for updates closer to your travel date. Qantas also provides detailed information on their website and through their customer service channels. By being prepared and meeting all the necessary requirements, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey. Safe travels!

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The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the travel industry, with airlines such as Qantas experiencing major disruptions to their flights and schedules. In response to travel restrictions and reduced demand, Qantas has been forced to make numerous changes to its operations in order to navigate the challenging circumstances.

One of the key ways that Qantas flights and schedules have been affected is through the implementation of travel restrictions by governments around the world. These restrictions have limited the number of destinations that Qantas can fly to, as well as the number of passengers that can be carried on each flight. For example, countries such as Australia have imposed strict border controls, including mandatory quarantine periods for international arrivals. This has led to a significant reduction in the number of international flights operated by Qantas, with many routes being temporarily suspended or scaled back.

In addition to travel restrictions, the reduced demand for air travel has also had a major impact on Qantas flights and schedules. With many people choosing to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel, there has been a significant drop in the number of passengers booking flights. This has led Qantas to cancel or consolidate flights on certain routes, in order to better match supply with demand. As a result, some flights may be combined or rescheduled, leading to changes in departure times and potential disruptions for passengers.

To navigate these challenging circumstances, Qantas has taken a number of steps to adapt its operations. For example, the airline has been working closely with government authorities to obtain any necessary exemptions or approvals to continue operating essential routes. This has allowed Qantas to maintain a limited schedule of flights for essential purposes, such as repatriating citizens or transporting critical goods and supplies. In addition, Qantas has implemented enhanced safety measures, such as increased cleaning protocols and social distancing measures on board its aircraft, to ensure the health and well-being of passengers and crew.

Despite the challenges faced by Qantas and the wider travel industry, there have been some positive developments in recent months. As vaccination programs are rolled out around the world, there is hope that travel restrictions will be gradually lifted and demand for air travel will begin to recover. In anticipation of this, Qantas has announced plans to resume international flights from October 2021, with a phased approach to reopening routes based on the vaccination rollout and travel demand.

In conclusion, the travel restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have had a significant impact on Qantas flights and schedules. The airline has been forced to make changes to its operations in order to navigate the challenging circumstances, including suspending or scaling back international flights and consolidating routes. However, Qantas has also taken steps to adapt its operations, working closely with government authorities to continue operating essential routes and implementing enhanced safety measures. With the rollout of vaccination programs, there is hope for the gradual recovery of the travel industry and a return to more regular flight schedules.

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In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions have been implemented by many countries in order to control the spread of the virus. These restrictions have resulted in a considerable impact on global travel and have caused concerns for certain types of travelers, such as essential workers or citizens returning home.

However, in recognition of the importance of essential workers and the right of citizens to return home, many countries have made exemptions or allowances for these groups of travelers. These exemptions and allowances are implemented with the aim of balancing the need for public health safety while ensuring the smooth operation of essential services and reuniting citizens with their families.

One such example is the exemption given to essential workers. Essential workers are individuals who are involved in critical industries or services that are necessary to maintain the functioning of society. These may include healthcare workers, emergency services personnel, transportation workers, and those involved in the production and distribution of food and essential goods. Recognizing the vital roles these individuals play, many countries have exempted them from travel restrictions, allowing them to continue their work and provide essential services.

In addition to essential workers, many countries have also allowed citizens to return to their home countries, regardless of travel restrictions. This recognition of the right to return home is grounded in international human rights law, which stipulates that every citizen has the right to enter and leave their own country. However, returning citizens may still be subject to certain health and safety protocols, such as quarantine or testing upon arrival, to ensure the protection of public health.

The implementation of exemptions and allowances for essential workers and citizens returning home requires a careful balance between public health concerns and the need to maintain essential services and individual rights. To achieve this, countries may have specific entry requirements and protocols in place, which may include submitting relevant documentation, undergoing health screenings, or abiding by quarantine or isolation regulations.

It is important for individuals falling under these exemptions or allowances to familiarize themselves with the specific requirements and regulations of each country they plan to travel to. This can be done by consulting official government websites, contacting relevant consulates or embassies, or seeking guidance from travel agencies or legal professionals.

In conclusion, while travel restrictions have been implemented globally in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, exemptions and allowances are often made for certain types of travelers, such as essential workers and citizens returning home. These exemptions aim to strike a balance between public health concerns and the need to maintain essential services and individual rights. It is crucial for eligible individuals to stay informed and comply with specific entry requirements and protocols to ensure safe and successful travels.

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Travel restrictions have become a common aspect of our lives in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As countries around the world work to control the transmission of the virus, it is important for airlines to stay up-to-date on the ever-changing restrictions. Qantas, one of Australia's largest airlines, is no exception.

Qantas reviews and updates its travel restrictions on a regular basis to ensure compliance with government regulations and to prioritize the safety of its passengers and crew. The frequency of these updates can vary depending on the rapidly changing nature of the pandemic and the policies implemented by different countries.

To find the most up-to-date information on Qantas travel restrictions, passengers can visit the Qantas website. The website is regularly updated with the latest information on travel restrictions, including entry requirements, quarantine guidelines, and any other relevant information.

When visiting the Qantas website, passengers can navigate to the "Travel updates" or "COVID-19 travel alert" section. Here, they will find comprehensive information pertaining to travel restrictions and guidelines for various destinations. This information is often presented in the form of frequently asked questions (FAQs) or detailed articles outlining the specific requirements for each country.

In addition to the Qantas website, passengers can also subscribe to the Qantas newsletter or follow Qantas on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. These channels often provide real-time updates and information regarding any changes to travel restrictions.

It is crucial for passengers to stay informed and regularly check for updates, as travel restrictions can change at short notice. By staying up-to-date with the most recent information provided by Qantas, passengers can ensure they are well-prepared for their journey and minimize any potential disruptions.

For example, let's say a traveler plans to fly from Sydney, Australia to Los Angeles, United States. Before making any travel arrangements, the traveler checks the Qantas website for the latest travel restrictions. They discover that the United States currently requires a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of departure, and a mandatory 10-day quarantine upon arrival.

However, a week later, the traveler receives a notification from Qantas informing them that the United States has updated its travel restrictions. They learn that the quarantine period has been reduced to seven days for fully vaccinated individuals, and a negative COVID-19 test is still required. Armed with this updated information, the traveler can adjust their plans accordingly and ensure they meet all the requirements for entry into the United States.

In conclusion, Qantas reviews and updates its travel restrictions regularly to align with government regulations and prioritize passenger safety. To find the most up-to-date information, passengers can visit the Qantas website, subscribe to the Qantas newsletter, or follow Qantas on social media. By staying informed, passengers can navigate the ever-changing landscape of travel restrictions and ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey.

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Frequently asked questions.

Qantas currently has several travel restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These include restrictions on international travel, limited domestic travel within Australia, and requirements for testing and vaccination for certain destinations.

Qantas has currently suspended all international flights until at least October 2021, with some exceptions for limited repatriation flights and travel to certain destinations. It is important to check the latest updates on Qantas' website or contact their customer service for the most up-to-date information on international travel.

While Qantas is still operating some domestic flights within Australia, there may be restrictions and requirements in place due to COVID-19. These can include mandatory face mask usage, social distancing measures, and potential border restrictions or quarantine requirements depending on the state or territory you are traveling to. It is important to check the current guidelines and restrictions for the specific destination you are planning to visit.

The requirements for testing and vaccination vary depending on the destination and the specific regulations of the country or region you are traveling to. Some destinations may require proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within a certain timeframe before departure, while others may have additional requirements such as proof of vaccination. It is important to thoroughly research and understand the testing and vaccination requirements for your specific destination before booking a Qantas flight.

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Qantas Frequent Flyer Program Guide: Everything You Need to Know

November 9, 2023

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While it may be a relatively unknown name to many U.S. travelers, Qantas is the flag carrier of Australia and the country’s largest airline by fleet size, number of international flights and number of international destinations. It’s also the only airline in the world that regularly operates flights to all seven continents as it operates regular sightseeing flights to Antarctica. Plus, the airline’s frequent flyer program (simply named Qantas Frequent Flyer) is definitely worth paying attention to even if you don’t plan on going to Australia.

First of all, Qantas is a founding member of Oneworld Alliance, meaning that you can both earn and redeem Qantas Points can be earned and redeemed on all other airlines that are members of Oneworld. Plus, Qantas Frequent Flyer is a transfer partner of several major credit card rewards programs, including American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. So, Qantas Points are a pretty easy currency to accumulate even if you don’t fly with Qantas very often.

Plus, when it comes time to redeem those points, you can find some excellent value through the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. In particular, this is one of the best programs for booking business class award flights to Israel on El Al. You can also find some excellent deals on Qantas-operated flights in first class between the United States and Australia. Or, if you don’t want to travel very far, you can find solid value in short-haul American Airlines flights.

If you have a bunch of Qantas Points and a lot of free time, you might want to consider booking an “Oneworld Classic Flight Reward,” which is similar to a round-the-world award. Qantas Points aren’t the best currency to book this type of award with. However, it may be worth considering booking an Oneworld Classic Flight Reward if you already have a lot of points in the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.

All in all, Qantas Frequent Flyer should be on your radar regardless of whether or not you plan on traveling to Australia in the future. In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about this program, including elite status tiers, how to earn Qantas Points, how to redeem Qantas points and which redemption options provide the most value.

Image Source: Qantas

Qantas Frequent Flyer Program Overview

Formed in 1920, “Qantas” is an acronym of the airline’s original name “Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services”. The airline commenced operations two years later in 1922, making Qantas over 100 years old. Since its early days, it’s played an important role in Australian domestic travel, transporting people across the vast Australian Outback.

Today, Qantas has expanded its domestic network to serve 55 destinations in Australia through its own flights as well as flights provided by three carriers under the QantasLink brand. Qantas also owns a low-cost subsidiary called Jetstar that operates mostly domestic flights around Australia and some routes to East Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania and even Hawaii.

In 1998, Qantas co-founded Oneworld Alliance alongside American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines (which ceased operations in 2001) and Cathay Pacific. Since then, many other airlines have joined the alliance. Here are all of the current member airlines of Oneworld Alliance:

Qantas Frequent Flyer members can earn or redeem Qantas Points on any of the previously listed Oneworld Alliance members. On top of that, Qantas also has several other airline partners with which you can earn and redeem Qantas Points. These airlines include:

Some of the partner airlines listed above don’t allow you to earn Qantas Points on their flights. These airlines include Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Aircalin, China Airlines, China Southern, IndiGo and Solomon Airlines. However, Qantas Points can be used to book award flights on all of Qantas’s airline partners if award space is available.

Additionally, some of these partners allow you to earn Status Credits (the metric used for earning Qantas elite status) while others don’t.

Qantas Frequent Flyer Elite Status

Like most frequent flyer programs, Qantas Frequent Flyer has its own elite status program that offers certain benefits to members who are able to rack up a certain number of Status Credits in a membership year. This program has five elite status tiers: Bronze (which you’ll earn as soon as you join the Qantas Frequent Flyer program), Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum One. Within each elite status tier, you can earn Loyalty Bonuses for reaching certain milestones

Plus, by earning a certain number of Lifetime Status Credits, you can earn Lifetime Silver, Lifetime Gold or Lifetime Platinum status. Lifetime Status Credits are just all of the Status Credits that you’ve earned since you joined the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, even the ones that have expired.

You’ll earn a minimum of 10 Status Credits for taking any flight operated by Qantas or Jetstar, and certain long-haul flights on Qantas will reward you with as many as 420 Status Credits. The number of Status Credits you’ll earn on a specific flight with Qantas or Jetstar is based on your origin, destination, and cabin class. If you want to see how many Status Credits you’d earn on a specific flight, you can refer to the Qantas and Jetstar earning tables from the Qantas website.

The Qantas website also includes partner airline earning tables that work in a similar fashion. These tables can tell you how many Qantas Points and Status Credits you could earn on any flight with any eligible partner airline, based on the origin, destination, and cabin class. However, as previously mentioned, not all partner airlines are eligible to earn Qantas Points and/or Status Credits.

To make things easier, Qantas has a calculator tool on its website that allows you to enter your origin, destination and cabin class and see how many Qantas Points and Status Credits you could earn.

Once you earn enough Status Credits to achieve an elite status tier, you’ll enjoy that status for the rest of the current Membership Year as well as the full following Membership Year. Your Membership Year is based on the date that you first joined the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. Your Status Credits balance resets to zero at the start of every Membership Year.

Here is a breakdown of each elite status tier and their benefits as well as the Loyalty Bonus milestones that you can reach within status tiers:

As you can see from the chart above, the Qantas elite status program is fairly complicated. To earn Silver, Gold or Platinum elite status, you must take at least four flights with Qantas or Jetstar flight numbers within the Membership Year. In order to earn Platinum One elite status, you must have earned at least 2,700 Status Credits on Qantas-marketed flights.

On top of that, all of the milestone bonuses except one are based on how many Status Credits you’ve earned on Qantas and Jetstar flights alone. The one exception here is the Platinum Bonus Reward, which you’ll earn once you accumulate 2,400 Status Credits from flights on any airline.

Even though your Status Credits reset to zero at the beginning of each Membership Year, Qantas keeps track of how many total Status Credits you’ve earned since you joined the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. If you earn a certain number of Status Credits over your lifetime, you can achieve Lifetime Silver, Lifetime Gold or Lifetime Platinum status. Here’s how many total Status Credits you need to achieve each Lifetime tier:

• Lifetime Silver – 7,000 Status Credits
• Lifetime Gold – 14,000 Status Credits
• Lifetime Platinum – 75,000 Status Credits

When you achieve Lifetime status, you’ll enjoy all of the benefits of that status for the rest of your life with no expiration date (even if you never earn another Status Credit).

While the Qantas elite status program is certainly complicated, it’s also very rewarding, especially for those who routinely fly with Qantas or Jetstar. The many milestone bonuses between status and the fact that you can earn up to 100% bonus Qantas Points with Platinum elite status can help you earn award flights quickly. Plus, other benefits such as airport lounge access and priority check-in and boarding can make your flying experience much more comfortable.

How to Earn Qantas Points

There’s a wide variety of ways to earn Qantas Points from flying with Qantas or one of its partner airlines to taking cultural tours around New Zealand and Australia. And, while some of these activities will earn you far more Qantas Points than others, we’re going to cover all of the different ways that you can boost your Qantas Points balance and get closer to that next award flight.

Flying with Qantas and Jetstar

The number of Qantas Points you’ll earn on a specific flight with Qantas or Jetstar depends on your origin, destination and cabin class. And, just as with Status Credits, you can find out how many Qantas Points you can earn on any flight with Qantas or Jetstar by referencing the Qantas and Jetstar earning tables .

These earning tables can get rather complicated, though, as there are separate tables for flights leaving from Dallas, flights leaving from New Zealand and many more very specific tables. So, the easiest way to find out how many Qantas Points you could earn for a specific flight with Qantas or Jetstar is to use the calculator tool on the Qantas website.

This calculator tool removes the hassle of having to search through the many earning tables. Instead, you can just plug in your origin, destination, cabin class and elite status tier and it tells you how many Qantas Points you’ll earn on a specific flight.

Flying with Partner Airlines

You can also earn Qantas Points for taking flights with most of Qantas’s airline partners. However, there are a few airline partners on which you can’t earn Qantas Points, including:

• Air New Zealand
• Air Tahiti Nui
• China Airlines
• China Southern
• Solomon Airlines

All of Qantas’s other partner airlines (including all members of Oneworld Alliance) give you the option to earn Qantas Points on their flights. However, it should be noted that, if you elect to earn Qantas Points on a partner flight, you’ll forfeit the opportunity to earn that airline’s native rewards currency.

If you’d like to earn Qantas Points on a partner-operated flight, you’ll need to select Qantas Frequent Flyer as your rewards program of choice when booking your flight.

To learn how many Qantas Points you could earn on a specific partner flight, you can refer to the partner airline earning tables on the Qantas website. The tables displayed on that page apply to all partner flights that are eligible to earn Qantas Points. Alternatively, you can also learn how many Qantas Points you could earn for a partner flight using the calculator tool on the Qantas website.

Transfer Partners

One of the best ways to boost your balance of Qantas Points is to transfer points into the Qantas Frequent Flyer program from one of its transfer partners. Qantas is partnered with several major credit card rewards programs, including American Express Membership Rewards , Capital One Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards . All of these rewards currencies transfer to Qantas Points at a 1:1 ratio.

Additionally, there are also several hotel rewards currencies that can be transferred to Qantas Frequent Flyer. Here are the different hotel rewards programs from which you can transfer points and their respective transfer ratios:

• Accor Live Limitless (ALL): 1:1 transfer ratio
• Choice Privileges: 5:2 transfer ratio
• Hilton Honors: 10:1.5 transfer ratio
• IHG One Rewards: 5:1 transfer ratio
• Marriott Bonvoy: 3:1 transfer ratio (plus a bonus of 5,000 Qantas Points for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred)
• World of Hyatt: 5:2 transfer ratio

As you can see, none of these hotel rewards programs offer very good transfer ratios except Accor Live Limitless (ALL), which allows transfers to Qantas Frequent Flyer at a 1:1 ratio. While ALL points are typically considered slightly more valuable than Qantas Points, it might be a good idea to convert ALL points to Qantas Points if you have a specific redemption through Qantas Frequent Flyer in your sights. For all of the other hotel rewards programs mentioned above, it’s probably best to keep your points in their native program.

Booking Hotel Stays

In addition to converting hotel points to Qantas points, you can also elect to earn Qantas points directly on hotel stays with certain companies. The following table includes all hotel chains that allow you to earn Qantas Points for stays and their respective earnings rates:

With most of the hotel chains listed above, if you choose to earn Qantas Points on your stay, you’ll be forfeiting the opportunity to earn that hotel chain’s native rewards currency for that stay. The exception here, though, is Accor Live Limitless (ALL). Qantas has a special partnership with Accor that allows members of both programs to earn both ALL points and Qantas Points on stays. So, if you plan on staying at an Accor Live Limitless property, you may as well connect your Qantas Frequent Flyer account and earn some Qantas Points while you’re at it.

With all of the other hotel chains, you’ll want to consider whether you’d be better off earning Qantas Points or that hotel’s native rewards currency.

Car Rentals

Qantas also has several partnerships with car rental companies, some of which will reward you with Qantas Points for booking rental cars and others that won’t. If you book a rental car with Avis or Budget, you’ll earn 4X Qantas Points per 1 Australian dollar spent on rentals within Australia. You’ll also earn 700 Qantas Points per rental outside of Australia.

Qantas also has partnerships with Hertz and Thrifty and you can rent cars from these companies through the car rental booking portal on the Qantas website. However, you won’t earn any Qantas Points for booking rentals with Hertz or Thrifty.

Qantas Activities

Qantas also has its own experience booking portal called Qantas Activities that allows you to earn 1 Qantas Point per 1 Australian dollar spent. This portal gives you access to over 10,000 tours and activities all around the world, some of which you can do right from your home.

Qantas Activities is a great tool to use if you’re staying in a foreign city and you’re looking for things to do. Many of the activities are very affordable and you can earn some Qantas Points for booking them.

Qantas Shopping

Like most other frequent flyer programs, Qantas Frequent Flyer has its own shopping portal that allows you to earn Qantas Points for buying merchandise from their partnered merchants. The amount of Qantas Points that you’ll earn depends on the specific merchant that you’re shopping with.

Qantas Shopping allows you to shop from hundreds of popular merchants online, some of which offer up to 40 Qantas Points per $1 spent. Plus, if you link your Mastercard or Visa card to your Qantas Shopping account, you can earn points while shopping in-store at eligible retailers as well.

Some of the brands that you can shop through Qantas Shopping include:

Between these brands and the hundreds of other brands listed on Qantas Shopping, you can earn Qantas Points whenever you buy pretty much anything. You may as well do your online shopping through Qantas Shopping and watch your points balance grow.

Other Ways to Earn Qantas Points

The Qantas Frequent Flyer program offers you many other ways to earn Qantas Points from watching TV to exercising. If Qantas Frequent Flyer is your rewards program of choice, it’s definitely worth paying attention to all of these obscure ways that you can earn Qantas Points as they could help you boost your points balance by thousands. Here are some of the other ways that you can earn Qantas Points:

• Earn 1,000 Qantas Points for signing up as a new subscriber with BINGE, an Australian streaming service. You’ll also earn 50 Qantas Points for every month you stay subscribed (for a total of 600 additional points per year).
• Earn 1,500 Qantas Points for signing up as a new subscriber with Kayo Sports, an Australian sports streaming service.
• Earn 1X Qantas Point per $1 spent on Airbnb vacation rentals. First-time customers can also earn 500 bonus Qantas Points for their first rental.
• Earn 1X Qantas Point per $1 spent on Uber rides to or from any eligible Australian airport by linking your Qantas Frequent Flyer account with the Uber app.
• Earn up to 1,000 Qantas Points in the first 28 days when you sign up for the Qantas Wellbeing App, an exercise tracking app.
• Earn 1X Qantas Point per $1 spent through Qantas Wine, a wine delivery service.
• Earn a bonus of up to 15,000 Qantas Points when you switch your gas and electricity to Red Energy on a Qantas Red Saver plan. Plus, earn 2X Qantas Points per $1 spent on energy bills paid on time.
• Earn 2,000 Qantas Points on each of your first 10 boxes ordered from HelloFresh (for a possible total of 20,000 points), a meal kit delivery service.
• Earn 2X Qantas Points per liter of BP Ultimate Unleaded purchased at BP gas stations. Plus, earn 1X Qantas Point per liter of all other fuels and earn 1X Qantas Point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases at BP gas stations.

It’s also worth noting that one of the best ways to earn Qantas Points is to sign up for one of Qantas’s co-branded credit cards. Unfortunately, these cards are only available to consumers in Australia.

How to Redeem Qantas Points

Now that you’re an expert on all of the different ways to earn Qantas Points, let’s discuss why you might want to do so in the first place. There are also many ways to redeem Qantas Points, but not all redemption methods offer the same value per point. So, you’ll probably want to save your hard-earned Qantas Points for the redemptions that offer the most value and avoid redemptions that offer poor value.

In general, the best way to maximize the value of your Qantas Points is to redeem them for award flights with Qantas or one of its partner airlines. However, not all award flights offer the same value.

Let’s take a look at all of the different ways to redeem Qantas Points and a few sweet spots in the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.

The most obvious way to redeem Qantas Points is for Qantas-operated award flights. Simply log in to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account and search for flights on your desired dates.

Qantas offers four types of award flight fares: Sale, Saver, Flex and Classic Flight Rewards. Sale, Saver and Flex fares are all calculated using a dynamic pricing model that closely tracks the cash price of the flight. Sale and Saver fares are cheaper than Flex fares. However, Flex fares are fully refundable when canceled within 24 hours of ticketing when the purchase is one week or more prior to the departure of the flight.

With Sale, Saver and Flex award fares, it’s nearly impossible to find outsized value redemptions because they mirror cash prices so closely. However, Classic Flight Rewards, Qantas’s other type of award fare, are priced using an award chart. Thus, these are the types of awards you want to look for if you want to maximize the value of your Qantas Points. Unfortunately, Classic Flight Rewards are much more difficult to find than the three other types of award fares. Luckily, Qantas’s website gives you the option to search for only Class Flight Rewards.

Qantas uses a zone-based award chart to price its own Classic Flight Rewards. This same award chart is also used to price award flights operated by Fiji Airways, Air Vanuatu and American Airlines. All other partner award flights are priced using the partner award chart (which you can find later in this article). Here is the award chart for all Classic Flight Rewards operated by Qantas as well as Fiji Airways, Air Vanuatu and American Airlines:

To clarify, the award prices listed above are for one-way flights operated by Qantas. To calculate the price of a round-trip award flight, you can simply double the one-way price listed above.

Qantas also publishes a separate award chart for flights operated by Jetstar, the airline’s low-cost carrier that mostly operates domestic routes around Australia but also has several routes to East Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania and Hawaii. Here is the award chart for one-way Jetstar flights:

When it comes to booking Qantas-operated award flights with Qantas Points, you can typically find decent value on flights between Australia and the U.S. West Coast. Most of these flights fall into zone 8, which includes flights between 7,001 miles and 8,400 miles in distance. That means that you can book these flights for 41,900 points in economy class or 108,400 points in Business class.

For instance, we found a one-way Class Flight Reward from Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney on Qantas for 41,900 points (plus $88 in taxes and fees) in Economy class.

As you can see, if you were to book this same award flight with a Sale, Saver or Flex fare, it would cost you at least seven times as much. So, you really only want to use your Qantas Points to book Classic Flight Rewards.

If you were to book this same flight with cash, it would cost you at least $1,256 with a Sale fare (the cheapest option).

Thus, this redemption would yield a value of about 2.7 cents per point (factoring in the $88 in taxes and fees), which is very good for an award flight in Economy class.

You can find even more value per point by booking Qantas-operated Classic Flight Rewards from the U.S. West Coast to Australia in Business class. Unfortunately, Classic Flight Rewards in Business class are notoriously hard to find availability for. But, if you’re flexible with your travel dates, you should be able to find a Business class Classic Flight Reward on Qantas.

For instance, we found a Classic Reward flight itinerary in Business class from Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney for 108,400 points (plus $193 in taxes and fees).

While the specific flight above was not available to be booked with cash, we found a similar flight in Business class on the same date that was available for $12,164 in cash with a Business Flex fare.

So, the award flight above would have a value of about 11 cents per point (factoring in the $193 in taxes and fees), which is fantastic.

In general, if you’re looking to fly from the U.S. West Coast to Australia, booking a Classic Flight Reward with Qantas is a great way to get there affordably regardless of what class you plan on flying in.

Just as with Qantas-operated award flights, partner award flights available through Qantas Frequent Flyer are available with four different fares: Sale, Saver, Flex and Classic Flight Rewards. Likewise, the only award flight redemptions that will provide outsized value per point are Classic Flight Rewards, so these are the awards that you should look for.

You can use your Qantas points to purchase award flights operated by most of Qantas’s airline partners. However, there are some exceptions, including Airnorth, IndiGo and others.

Qantas publishes a partner award chart for Classic Flight Rewards with Air France, Alaska Airlines, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, El Al, Emirates, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, KLM, LATAM, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, SriLankan Airlines and WestJet.

It’s worth noting that there are other partner airlines with which you can book Classic Flight Rewards that don’t follow the rates in the award chart above. As previously mentioned, Fiji Airways, Air Vanuatu and American Airlines use the same award chart as Qantas-operated award flights.

Booking partner award flights is one of the best ways to maximize the value of your Qantas Points. You can also fly almost anywhere in the world with Qantas Points because of Qantas’s extensive list of airline partners. However, not all partner award flights offer the same value per point. Let’s take a look at a few partner sweet spots within the Qantas Frequent Flyer program:

Oneworld Classic Flight Rewards

Qantas doesn’t offer a true “round-the-world” award. However, you can come pretty close by booking an Oneworld Classic Flight Reward. With these awards, you can only fly on Oneworld airlines (and not other Qantas partners that aren’t members of Oneworld Alliance) and you must fly with at least two Oneworld airlines that aren’t Qantas during your trip.

Qantas also publishes a Oneworld Classic Flight Reward chart, which is based on round-trip flight distances and prices:

There are a few other interesting rules that you should be aware of if you want to try to book a Oneworld Classic Flight Reward, including:

• Your itinerary must include at least two different Oneworld airlines, three if flying with Qantas.
• Maximum of five stopovers
• Maximum total flight distance of 35,000 miles
• Only one stopover is allowed in any one city (meaning that you can’t stopover in the same city twice).
• A maximum of two connections are allowed in any one city in one itinerary.
• If your destination city is different from your origin, you’ll be charged based on the distance to return directly from your destination to your origin.
• Ground transfers are allowed but you’ll be charged based on the distance between the two cities.
• Backtracking is permitted in most cases.

If you want to book a round-the-world award on Oneworld Alliance airlines by transferring credit card points, then you’re probably better off booking through the Cathay Pacific Asia Miles program as its award chart is a bit more generous. However, if you already have a large balance of points in the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, then it’s definitely worth considering a Oneworld Classic Flight Reward.

It’s also worth noting that, if you want to book a round-the-world award in first class, then Oneworld Alliance is one of the best alliances to do so with because they have more airlines with true first-class products than any other airline alliance. American Airlines, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways and several other Oneworld airlines have excellent first-class products.

Short-Haul Domestic Flights on American Airlines

While American Airlines uses a dynamic pricing model for its own award flights purchased with AAdvantage miles, Qantas Frequent Flyer uses their fixed partner award chart to price American Airlines-operated award flights, starting at just 8,000 Qantas Points for one-way flights under 600 miles.

Plus, the Qantas award chart is based on the total distance of a one-way flight, regardless of how many segments you fly. So, for example, if you were to take a one-way flight consisting of two segments with a total distance between 601 miles and 1,200 miles, it would only cost you 12,000 points, which is an excellent deal.

For instance, we found a one-way award flight between Portland, Maine, and New York City (JFK) with a layover in Washington, D.C. in Economy class for 12,000 Qantas Points (plus $6 in taxes and fees). Both segments are operated by American Airlines. The total flight distance of both segments combined would be 695 miles.

If you were to purchase this same flight on the same date with cash through the American Airlines website, it would cost you $259.

So, by booking this flight with Qantas Points, you’d be getting a value of about 2.1 cents per point (factoring in the $6 in taxes and fees), which is very solid for an Economy class award.

Plus, while you may be able to get more value by redeeming Qantas Points for premium cabin flights to exotic destinations, booking short-haul American Airlines flights is far more practical for most U.S. citizens. So, it’s nice to know that you can use your Qantas Points for practical purposes while still getting solid value per point.

Fly from the U.S. to Israel on El Al

Israel’s flag carrier El Al does have its own frequent flyer program, known as El Al Matmid Frequent Flyer. However, it’s not a very highly regarded program as its currency isn’t very valuable and it lacks transfer partners. Luckily, one of the best ways to book El Al award flights is with Qantas Points.

In particular, for U.S.-based travelers, one of the best ways to redeem your Qantas Points is for flights between the U.S. and Israel on El Al. You can find certain one-way flights from the U.S. East Coast to Tel Aviv that are under 5,800 miles, meaning that you’d pay 37,800 Qantas Points in Economy class and 90,000 points in Business class.

For instance, we found an El Al-operated one-way award flight from Newark (EWR) to Tel Aviv for 37,800 Qantas Points (plus $31 in taxes and fees) in Economy class and 70,800 (plus $31 in taxes and fees) in Premium Economy class.

If you were to book this same flight on El Al-s website with cash, you’d pay $602 in Economy class or $1,322 in Premium Economy class.

Thus, if you were to book the Economy class award, you’d be getting about 1.5 cents per point in value (factoring in the $31 in taxes and fees), which is solid for an Economy class award. If you were to book this award in Premium Economy class, you’d be getting 1.8 cents per point in value (factoring in the $31 in taxes and fees), which is also fairly good.

Fly to Fiji on Fiji Airways

Award flights operated by Fiji Airways are priced using the same award chart as Qantas’s own award flights, which is more generous than the award chart used for most other partner-operated award flights. Because of this, you can find great value on flights from the U.S. to Fiji’s Nadi International Airport, particularly if you book premium cabin awards.

For example, we found a Fiji Airways-operated one-way Business class flight from San Francisco to Nadi for 82,000 Qantas Points (plus $27 in taxes and fees).

If you were to book this same flight through the Fiji Airways website on the same date, it would cost you $4,289.20.

So, if you were to make this redemption, you’d be getting about 5.2 cents per point in value, which is outstanding.

You can also use your Qantas Points to book hotel stays through the Qantas Hotels portal. Simply visit qantas.com/hotels and select the “Use Points” option instead of the “Use Cash” option.

Then, you can enter your destination, desired travel dates and number of guests and you’ll be presented with a list of options that match your search query once you hit the “Search Hotels” button.

Unfortunately, redeeming your Qantas Points this way typically yields fairly poor value. For instance, we found a single-night stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton New York Times Square South for 50,400 points.

If you were to book the same single-night stay with cash through the Qantas Hotels portal, it would cost you $419.

That means that you’d be getting a redemption value of about 0.8 cents per point, which is pretty lacking.

On top of that, the cash rates on Qantas Hotels are often considerably higher than the rates you might find on a hotel’s website or through a different third-party booking engine. For instance, that same room at the DoubleTree by Hilton New York Times Square South costs only $227 for the same single-night stay when booked through the Hilton website.

So, if we use Hilton’s cash price as the basis, the redemption value here is actually only about 0.4 cents per point, which is horrible.

All in all, you should avoid booking hotel stays through Qantas Hotels regardless of whether you’re paying with cash or points.

Buying Merchandise, Gift Cards, Experiences and More Through the Qantas Marketplace

Qantas gives Frequent Flyer members the option to spend their points on merchandise through the Qantas Marketplace portal. Qantas Marketplace contains over 20,000 products across many different categories from a wide variety of vendors, all of which can be purchased with Qantas Points, cash or a combination of the two using the “Points Plus Pay” feature.

Unfortunately, redeeming your Qantas Points for merchandise yields a very low value per point. For instance, through the Qantas Marketplace, you could buy a Seiko Men’s Presage GMT Automatic ‘Aitetsue’ Watch for 373,920 Qantas Points or $2,150 in cash.

Thus, this redemption would yield a value of about 0.6 cents per point, which is very low.

You can also use the “Points Plus Pay” slider to pay with a combination of Qantas Points and cash.

Unfortunately, doing so will yield equally dismal value.

However, if you have no desire to travel and you have a balance of Qantas Points that are going to expire soon, you may want to consider redeeming them through the Qantas Marketplace shopping portal.

On top of buying merchandise, you can also redeem your Qantas Points for gift cards, experiences, magazine subscriptions, vouchers and more. None of these redemptions will yield very good value per point, but there are some interesting options such as badges for South by Southwest, carbon offsets for home and car and digital gift cards.

Donate Your Qantas Points

Another option when redeeming your Qantas Points through the Qantas Marketplace is to donate your points to one of Qantas’s partner charities. Unfortunately, you’ll get pretty poor value per point when redeeming your Qantas Points this way.

For instance, if you want to donate $25 to UNICEF, you’ll need to redeem 3,200 points.

Thus, this redemption would yield a value of slightly under 0.8 cents per point, which is pretty poor. However, if you want to use your points for a good cause, then donating them might be a good option.

The Bottom Line

For any points and miles enthusiasts that are based in Australia, Qantas Frequent Flyer is definitely a program you want to be familiar with as Qantas is the country’s largest airline by fleet size, number of international flights and number of international destinations.

If you’re a U.S.-based travel enthusiast, Qantas Frequent Flyer is still worth paying attention to due to the airline’s position as a member of Oneworld Alliance, as a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards and as one of the best programs through which to book both Oneworld round-the-world awards as well as American Airlines award tickets.

And, while Qantas Frequent Flyer elite status program is fairly complicated, it’s also pretty easy to earn elite status. Silver elite status requires just 300 Status Credits and certain long-haul flights on Qantas could earn you as many as 420 Status Credits, instantly granting you access to benefits such as 50% bonus Qantas Points on Qantas, Jetstar and American Airlines. Plus, the Qantas elite status program has many milestone rewards in between status tiers that help you accumulate Qantas Points quickly.

Then, once you have racked up some Qantas Points, you can get great value by redeeming them for Qantas flights between the U.S. and Australia, El Al flights between the U.S. and Israel, short-haul American Airlines flights around the U.S., and Oneworld Classic Flight Rewards (which are very similar to round-the-world awards).

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Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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Woman found dead in North Bondi – as it happened

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• David Sharaz says he won’t fight defamation but asks Linda Reynolds to settle with Brittany Higgins
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• 12h ago That's it for today, thanks for reading
• 12h ago Sharaz says Reynolds will not settle defamation case
• 12h ago X lodges appeals against eSafety orders
• 14h ago Man assisting police with inquiries after woman, 19, found dead in North Bondi
• 15h ago Crossbench pens letter to PM urging action to target domestic violence
• 15h ago Lifeline records busiest day on record after emotional fortnight
• 16h ago Hotline for stranded Bonza customers launched
• 16h ago Airline passenger numbers still ‘well below’ pre-pandemic levels, new report says
• 16h ago Destruction of woodlands begins for defence housing development in Darwin
• 16h ago Teen arrested after alleged stabbing in Melbourne
• 17h ago Coles revenues rise as shoppers search for cheaper groceries
• 17h ago Dingo bites boy in latest attack on K'gari
• 18h ago NSW government close to extending Australia’s biggest coal-fired plant for four years
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• 19h ago Police will allege teenage girl ‘solely responsibly’ for death of 10-year-old
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• 20h ago Tributes laid at Westfield Bondi Junction to be moved from tomorrow
• 20h ago Bonza planes repossessed, future uncertain
• 21h ago Raft of Bonza flights cancelled amid uncertainty
• 21h ago Man charged with murder over death of woman known to him
• 21h ago Optus apologises again as network outage report is released by government
• 21h ago Teen charged with murder after alleged Lake Macquarie stabbing
• 21h ago Anne Aly discusses personal experience as victim-survivor and how this informs her work
• 21h ago Alice Springs mayor touts 'positive impact' of curfew measures but domestic violence still a 'calamity'
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Albanese says ‘practical, immediate measures’ needed to address men’s violence ahead of national cabinet

Anthony Albanese has been speaking to the media from Brisbane. Asked about tomorrow’s national cabinet meeting on men’s violence against women, Albanese was asked what he hopes to walk away with.

He didn’t “want to pre-empt” the discussions that will take place tomorrow, but said:

One of the things I know from speaking with state premiers is that they want to have the discussion at a national cabinet, is ways in which best practice can be replicated. So what are the lessons, for example? Victoria has already had a royal commission and part of the agenda tomorrow will be the premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan , reporting on those issues as well, and how that’s gone. In addition to that, [South Australian premier] Peter Malinauskas chairs the federation body of all the chiefs and they’re preparing a paper which will be presented tomorrow. So we need to acknowledge that this is an issue which is long-term, does require attitudinal change, does require a whole range of measures, but we also need practical, immediate measures and responses as well. And I look forward to a constructive discussion tomorrow morning.

Crossbench pens letter to PM urging action to target domestic violence

The crossbench has penned a joint letter to the prime minister, calling for urgent action to tackle family and domestic violence.

The letter was signed by 11 MPs, including Zali Steggall, Zoe Daniel, Kylea Tink, Allegra Spender, Kate Chaney, Monique Ryan, Sophie Scamps, Helen Haines, Andrew Wilkie, Andrew Gee and Rebekha Sharkie .

It states that a “robust national effort” is needed to “improve risk identification and justice system intervention in cases of male violence against women”.

We need to treat gender-based violence with the same level of urgency we show acts of terrorism, and at a rate of a woman every four days, it is killing more Australians.

The MPs say the desire for a royal commission into the issue is “well intentioned” but they question: “what would it uncover that we don’t already know?”

Instead, they are calling for immediate actions, next steps and long-term cultural change.

Immediate action would include a sentencing review, and a nationally coordinated mechanism to count and analyse the deaths of these women. And next steps would target exacerbating factors like violent pornography, misogynistic social media influencers and problem gambling, the letter said.

You can read the letter in full online .

Lifeline records busiest day on record after emotional fortnight

Demand for Lifeline Australia has spiked to an all-time high as high-profile deaths of women and demands for action on domestic violence bring emotions to the fore, AAP reports.

The crisis support service received 4,371 calls, messages and webchats on Sunday, making for its busiest day on record and 20% above the yearly average.

Analysis of the types of matters received on Sunday was not available. But Lifeline domestic violence sector manager Angela Lynch said a link could be drawn to the wall-to-wall media coverage of domestic violence and sexual violence:

More in the community are hurting and for those who are or have been directly impacted by either domestic violence or sexual violence, those conversations can land in a very different and very personal way. They could have general feelings of anxiety or being unsafe and it can bring up personal issues of what they lived through and the injustice perhaps of what they’ve encountered.

Rising living costs and the national housing crisis have compounded stresses on the community, Lifeline said.

Lifeline : 13 11 14

Commonwealth Games interim report: investigation ‘hampered’ by state blocking access to key documents

A Victorian parliamentary committee probing the government’s shock cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games says its investigation was hampered by the state blocking access to key documents.

The committee has handed down its interim report into the Victorian government’s cancellation of the major sporting event, after it cited major cost blowouts.

The report says the committee “exhausted most avenues open to it” to obtain the documents from the Victorian government, after it made a claim of “executive privilege.”

It also found the timeframe for the Victorian government and Commonwealth Games Federation to negotiate the axed 2026 event was too short and initially enabled consultants only six weeks to create a business case.

Qantas offers free seats to stranded Bonza customers

Jetstar and Qantas have said they will provide flights at no cost for stranded Bonza passengers, where seats are available and where routes overlap.

This follows a similar offer from Virgin Australia earlier today .

In a statement, Qantas noted “today’s news about Bonza will have a significant impact on many people’s travel plans” and said:

For Bonza customers who are due to travel today or who are stuck away from home, Jetstar and Qantas will assist by providing flights at no cost where there are seats available.

Qantas said of Bonza’s 36 routes, only six overlap with Jetstar or QantasLink.

Qantas said if there is another close alternative route that it operates, customers booked to travel today or stuck away from home “can also travel at no cost”. Bonza customers can contact Jetstar on 13 15 38 or Qantas on 13 13 13.

Australia undercounting methane emissions by at least a factor of two, report finds

Australia has made much of its emissions reduction efforts, at least compared to the inflated baseline of 2005.

That year, not coincidentally, was when land-clearing and other carbon pollution was near a peak, so not doing very much meant it looked like Australia was emitting less. (That the land sector somehow manages to remain a perennial carbon sink despite weaker land-clearing laws is itself a dubious result .)

Anyway, The Superpower Institute has published analysis today suggesting that Australia’s emissions of methane – a potent greenhouse gas that has been the largest source of global heating in the past decade – is much higher than reported in the official national inventory.

Major emitters, such as coalmines and gas fields, may be polluting at twice the rate reported.

Rod Sims, formerly chair of the ACCC and now the institute’s chair, called the findings “ simply astounding”.

Most problematically, these estimates to the national inventory are never externally verified. This leaves huge questions about the veracity of these estimation methods, but more importantly about the actual volume of greenhouse gas emissions from different sites and facilities and therefore the national inventory as a whole.

Peter Raynor, the institute’s chief scientist and an emeritus professor, said the group’s Open Methane tool indicates the government should fund a minimum of 12 new monitoring sites around Australia that can be calibrated with satellites that are also detecting these emissions.

Cutting methane is our single best strategy to combat global heating this decade while we make the changes needed to reduce Australia’s emissions to zero. But methane emissions are not being credibly measured.

Separately, our colleague Adam Morton has this clear-eyed look at how one of Australia’s biggest methane polluters, Woodside, are offering little more than rhetoric when it comes to climate action:

Hotline for stranded Bonza customers launched

The government has opened a hotline for Bonza passengers stranded across the country after the budget carrier abruptly cancelled all services today, amid discussions about its ongoing viability.

The hotline number is 1800 069 244.

Transport minister Catherine King said her department had been in contact with Bonza “and our expectation is that they keep passengers informed of their options and their consumer rights”.

I am aware of reports this morning of Bonza flights being cancelled. I have spoken to Qantas and Virgin CEOs this morning and both airlines stand ready to assist stranded passengers needing to get home.

Airline passenger numbers still ‘well below’ pre-pandemic levels, new report says

Meanwhile, the Australian Airports Association (AAA) has also noted a new report stating passenger numbers remain “well below” pre-pandemic levels.

The annual ACCC airport monitoring report for 2022-2023 shows passenger numbers have seen a year-on-year increase of 127.4% but remain below pre-Covid levels.

Chief executive James Goodwin said:

While domestic aviation has led the recovery 2022-23 passenger levels are still 10.4% lower than 2018-19. International operations have been slower to recover, remaining at 31% below pre-Covid levels.

Goodwin said the reason for the incomplete recovery is constrained airline capacity, “particularly from the two main domestic carriers”.

The rebound in airport revenues simply reflects the increased number of travellers, with the reporting period the first without Covid border or travel restrictions.

Airports association monitoring Bonza situation, it says

The Australian Airports Association (AAA) says it is monitoring budget airline Bonza’s current situation closely.

As Elias Visontay reported earlier , Bonza has cancelled a raft of flights across the country, and sources told the Guardian that its fleet of Boeing 737-Max 8 aircraft had been repossessed.

In a statement, AAA chief executive James Goodwin said:

Airports worked to support Bonza to enter the Australian market and we are monitoring the emerging situation closely while we assist affected passengers at terminals across Australia.

Sarah Hanson-Young calls on Plibersek to halt Darwin land clearing

Continuing on from previous post:

The clearing has drawn condemnation from conservationists, Darwin community members and independent and Greens MPs.

The Greens environment spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young called on the environment minister, Tanya Plibersek , to urgently protect the site, which was habitat for significant species such as the critically endangered eastern curlew:

The Minister recently made a big splash about saving Eastern Curlew habitat in Toondah [Harbour] in Queensland, but that same critically endangered bird deserves protection in Lee Point Darwin as well.

The independent senator David Pocock tweeted that the clearing was an example of Australia’s broken system of environmental protections.

The clearing comes a month after the developer, Defence Housing Australia , was given the green light to start the development, which it had paused for several months while Plibersek considered an emergency application by Larrakia traditional owners for protection of the site on cultural grounds.

Plibersek notified the applicants late last month that after considering the evidence she was not satisfied that the specific area that would be developed met the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Act requirements for a “significant Aboriginal area in accordance with Aboriginal tradition”.

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Do Frequent Flyer Points Expire?

Updated: Apr 30, 2024, 1:15pm

Table of Contents

Frequent flyer expiry dates explained, bottom line, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Frequent flyer program members earn points from doing exactly that: flying frequently. Keen point earners may also invest in a frequent flyer credit card to increase their points balance with every purchase, or earn points via other means specified by their frequent flyer program.

Each program is different, and that includes whether or not your frequent flyer points have an expiration date.

This guide runs through the two primary frequent flyer memberships in Australia, Qantas and Virgin, followed by an overview of international airline programs and their frequent flyer expiry dates.

Qantas Frequent Flyer

Qantas Frequent Flyer is Australia’s largest frequent flyer membership, boasting 14.7 million members as of 2023. To join directly, you’ll be charged a joining fee of $99.50. However, there are many ways to avoid this fee, including by signing up to a Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card .

To keep your Qantas Frequent Flyer points active, you’ll need to earn or use your points at least once every 18 months. This 18-month period starts from the date of your last activity on your membership: for example, if the last time you had earned Qantas Points was from an eligible flight, your last date of activity would be when the flight was taken.

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Other eligible activity includes earning or using Qantas Points with Qantas’ program partners; redeeming Qantas Points for flights; and shopping at the Qantas Points store.It does not include transferring points to or from a family member’s account, or the transfer of points from Qantas Business Rewards.

Related: What The Qantas Frequent Flyer Program Changes Mean For You

Virgin Velocity

The loyalty program of Virgin Australia is known as Velocity Frequent Flyer, with a membership base of 11 million members as of 2022. Unlike the Qantas program, membership to Velocity is free, and you can begin earning points immediately.

Virgin Velocity points expire after 24 months of account inactivity; as is the case with Qantas, this means not spending or earning any points within this period. However, you can see, Virgin Velocity gives its members an extra six months before expiry compared to Qantas Frequent Flyer.

“Essentially, every time you earn, redeem or buy points, you’re renewing your points for another two years,” the website states.

This means if you had a Velocity Rewards Credit Card that you used regularly, you’d never have to worry about your balance expiring even if you weren’t flying—as every transaction on your credit card would earn you points.

Note that receiving points via family pool transfers won’t count as account activity.

Related: Our Pick Of The Best Frequent Flyer Credit Cards

American Airlines AAdvantage

Looking at overseas frequent flyer programs with major airlines that serve Australia, we’ll start alphabetically: American Airlines. This membership program is known as AAdvantage, with points known as ‘AAdvantage miles’. It’s free to join, and can be worthwhile for Australians considering AAdvantage miles can be redeemed on Qantas flights.

American Airlines AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months of inactivity; any type of qualifying activity on your account will restart this period.

It’s worth noting that customers under the age of 21 are not subject to this expiration period; however, as soon as the customer turns 21 years old, the 24-month policy will begin—even if the AAdvantage miles were earned prior.

British Airways Executive Club

For a frequent flyer membership with British Airways, you’ll need to join their Executive Club—which is free.

The loyalty currency is known as ‘Avios’, and is the same across partner airlines Qatar, Iberia and Aer Lingus. This means you can combine Avios from an Iberia Plus, AerClub or Qatar Airways Privilege Club account and choose how (or where) you spend them.

Unused Avios will expire after 36 months of inactivity; so, as long as you collect, spend, buy or share at least one Avios every 36 months, your frequent flyer points will remain.

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

In August 2022, Marco Polo Club and Asia Miles combined into one rewards program: Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles. Pre-existing members were automatically enrolled in the new program, while new members can sign up via Cathay Pacific for free.

Asia Miles will remain active as long as you earn or redeem on your account at least once every 18 months.

Like other frequent flyer programs, it’s not only flying that can earn you points. Cathay Pacific’s website states it has more than 800 partners worldwide that you can spend with to earn Asia Miles, across shopping, credit cards, dining, hotels and more.

SkyMiles is Delta’s loyalty program, which is free to join and, unusually for a frequent flyer program, does not have an expiry date. Your miles will remain in your account as long as it is open.

As Delta is US-based, it may not be as enticing to join as membership programs closer to home are. Yet, with more than 20 airline partners across the globe—including the nearby China Airlines and Vietnam Airlines—it can still serve Australians looking to gain miles without the fuss of regularly earning or spending points.

Australians can also earn SkyMiles on Airbnb stays worldwide (when booking through the dedicated Delta-Airbnb site ) and choose SkyMiles as the reward of choice when staying in global hotel chains such as Marriott Bonvoy or World of Hyatt.

Emirates Skywards

Emirates Skywards is yet another free membership program, allowing frequent travelers to earn points—Skywards—through travel and more.

The expiry date for Emirates Skywards isn’t as clear-cut as other programs, however. Instead, Skywards expire at the end of your birthday month, three years after they were earned.

For example, if your last flight was in January 2023 and your birthday is September 10, your Skywards would expire on September 30, 2026.

You can’t extend the validity of your Skywards through account activity, either. Instead, you have the option to pay to extend them an additional 12 months from the aforementioned expiry date.

Etihad Guest

Being a member of the Etihad Guest loyalty program is free, and allows you to earn Etihad Airways Guest Miles.

Activities that allow you to earn these miles include earning, spending or buying them. Inactivity in your account will see your Etihad Guest Miles expire after 18 months.

To avoid this, you need to make a transaction; the first qualifying activity in a month resets the expiry date again.

For Etihad Platinum Guests, there is no expiration of miles as long as they maintain their Platinum status.

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is another global membership that allows Australian travellers to earn points both locally and abroad, and is also free to join.

After earning KrisFlyer Miles, members have three years to use them—regardless of whether or not there is activity within the account..

You can extend this expiration date for six months for a fee; however, Singapore Airlines notes there is no way to get KrisFlyer Miles back if they have expired.

Members of Singapore Airline’s PPS Club are exempt from the expiration rules.

United Airlines MileagePlus

Like Delta’s SkyMiles, United Airlines’ MileagePlus is a program whose miles never expire.

It’s free to join, and United is part of Star Alliance, the biggest airline alliance in the world, which includes our nearby carriers of Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways.

Outside of Star Alliance, MileagePlus members can also earn (and redeem) miles when flying with Virgin Australia.

As you can see from our guide, all frequent flyer programs vary with their conditions on whether or not your frequent flyer points will expire. This includes how you can extend your expiration date, and how long the validity period lasts for.

Remember to read the terms and conditions of your frequent flyer membership carefully so you understand how long you have to spend your points.

Will my frequent flyer points expire if I don’t fly?

Not necessarily While the expiration of frequent flyer points is dependent on the individual frequent flyer program, it is common that points will remain valid as long as there’s activity oni your account. This doesn’t just mean flying: you can also earn, spend, and buy points through other means.

Are frequent flyer points and airline miles the same?

In short, yes. ‘Frequent flyer points’ is commonly used in Australia, whereas many overseas programs will use the term ‘miles’ as their reward currency. Some have their own names entirely, like British Airways, who use ‘Avios’.

How can I earn frequent flyer points?

Frequent flyer points can be earned through a range of means. This includes flying with the airline that your program is associated with (or an airline partner), having a credit card that earns frequent flyer points , spending points at a frequent flyer rewards store, and even buying points to top up your balance.

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The sad, stale state of in-flight vegetarian meals

Who ordered the limp cucumber sandwich.

Last month, a traveler posted a photo to Reddit of his girlfriend’s vegetarian meal for a 12-hour flight. It wasn’t pretty.

The sandwich featured two grim cucumber slices and wan tomatoes. On the top half of the dry roll, faint oval imprints of the filling resembled cupping therapy marks. If the flight attendants had tried to revive the meal, they failed.

As a vegan, I could relate. For travelers who don’t eat animal products, the special meal delivered to our seat is often a mystery: What will the ingredients be? How was it prepared? Will it be halfway palatable?

We know the usual suspects all too well, tomato-soupy ratatouille, salty rice the color of pale sunshine or an anemic salad. We squirrel away extra packets of Biscoff not because we are members of the cookie’s fan club; we’re just trying to survive the flight.

The pitiful cuke is the latest publicly shared slight to vegetarian and vegan travelers seeking sustenance on airplanes. In 2023, a Japan Airlines passenger received a solitary banana with chopsticks for his vegan business-class breakfast. In March, Donna Zeigfinger, founder of Green Earth Travel , ordered a quinoa plate on a United flight. The travel adviser’s plant-based meal came with a side of chicken strips.

“They’re not quite getting it,” said Zeigfinger, a longtime vegan. “They’re still not understanding.”

On a 12 hour flight and this was my gf’s veggie sandwich around 8hrs in. by u/pestopopcorn in mildlyinfuriating

Airlines are constantly investing in meal service , especially in the higher ticket categories. American Airlines recently unveiled its reimagined menu, which included such meat-free dishes as truffle ricotta ravioli and vegetable and garbanzo bean tagine with couscous. Yet, veg travelers are discovering a disconnect between what’s on the menu and what lands with a thud — or whimper — on their tray table.

“One word — disgusting,” said Nikki Dewan, a Vegetarian Society member who participated in a recent Facebook survey about airplane food . “Airlines don’t make an effort to bring good, delicious and wholesome food for the airline customers.”

In a Gallup poll conducted in July, 4 percent of Americans said they were vegetarians. So, why aren’t airlines doing better? And can they please cheer up that sad cucumber with a little dressing?

Missing meals force airlines to improvise

In general, a catering company or in-house culinary team plans the in-flight menus and prepares thousands of meals and snacks in an industrial kitchen on the airport grounds. The airlines assume that all of the passengers will eat the standard meals unless they are otherwise informed.

No different from a restaurant or wedding reception, it is the diner’s responsibility to inform the host (in this case, the airline) of dietary restrictions or meal preferences. Most carriers require passengers to submit their meal choices at least 24 to 48 hours before departure, so the chefs can fill the special orders. If you wait until you’re on the plane to share your requirements, you could end up with an improvised meal conjured in the galley.

“I was always amazed by the time it takes to put together a special meal, which is actually not that easy,” said Daniel Klein, executive chef for research and development at LSG Group, one of the world’s largest airline catering firms. “That’s why I can sometimes see why you might just get a banana, because it’s a last-minute request.”

However, reserving a meal is no guarantee that you will receive it. The flight attendant might not deliver the dish to its rightful owner because of a technical glitch, human error or passenger interference.

“It’s not just the quality of the food or the availability. It’s actually the service,” said Deirdra Barr, director of communications for the U.K.-based Vegetarian Society. “So many people’s vegetarian or vegan meals go missing or someone else gets them, and that means they’re left with nothing.”

Grace Philips, a Vegetarian Society member, knew exactly what happened to her veg meal on a recent flight: Another passenger didn’t “fancy the meat option” and asked for the vegetarian option instead. When the flight attendant reached her seat, all of the veg meals were gone. “I was hungry,” she shared on the group’s Facebook page.

In these instances, the flight attendants will often assemble an improvised plate of food for the neglected passenger. They will forage in the galley or pinch items from their own mini-coolers.

On a flight from New York to Scotland, Elyse Mercedes King said a flight attendant donated her two apples. Vanessa Winsor once survived a long-haul trip with three segments of a satsuma mandarin, six grapes and a bread roll.

When Zeigfinger flew United from Washington Dulles to Berlin, her preordered vegan meal never materialized. The flight attendant tried to correct the injustice with a slapdash meal, plus 700 frequent-flier points.

“The flight attendant was really angry,” Zeigfinger said. “She acknowledged that this was a serious thing.”

The best and worst airlines for vegetarians and vegans

In the 1990s, many travelers who identified as carnivores on the ground became temporary vegetarians when flying. The meatless meal seemed like the tastier and less enigmatic option.

“People who weren’t vegetarian were ordering the vegetarian meal because it was so much better than the chicken or beef they would serve on the plane,” said James Doran, director of business development, tourism and hospitality practice at SIS International Research.

As airlines chase after loyalty members and elite travelers, they are paying more attention to overall meal service, including the previously maligned proteins. Some carriers have teamed up with celebrity chefs, such as Delta’s partnerships with Michelle Bernstein, Michael Chiarello and Linton Hopkins. Air France works with Michelin-starred French chefs and award-winning pastry chefs.

Charles Platkin, founder and executive director of the Center for Food as Medicine , described vegan and vegetarian meals as an “afterthought” in this profit-driven market. Even so, the major airlines are still providing special meals, including several that go beyond the traditional veg diet. The subcategories include Asian vegetarian, vegetarian lacto-ovo, fruit platter and Jain , a vegetarian diet that eschews root vegetables.

Travelers note that airlines that cater to populations inclined toward vegetarianism, for cultural or religious reasons, often excel in this department. Doran fondly recalled a vegetarian Malay meal on Malaysian Airlines and an Indian-style vegetarian dish on Emirates. However, this rule doesn’t always apply.

“Very surprisingly Air India is terrible on the occasions I’ve flown with them,” Teresa Dawkes shared on the Vegetarian Society’s Facebook page. “Pretty inedible and they didn’t have any gin.”

Ashley Isaacs Ganz, the vegetarian founder of the luxury tour operator Artisans of Leisure , said she wishes carriers based in countries with strong vegetarian traditions would better showcase their culinary heritage. For example, she suggested Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways incorporate Japanese temple cuisine into their menus.

“I always want to have the Japanese meal, but the different components of the meal are, for the most part, not vegetarian,” she said. “I would love for them to take it to the next level.”

In a Vegetarian Society Facebook post about airplane food, more airlines were panned than praised. Patricia Thompson called Irish carrier Aer Lingus “woeful” for serving dry veggie pasta for dinner and canapés with chicken bits that the flight attendants offered to pick off.

Not just pasta and salad anymore

To be fair, some airlines have been refining their palates.

Since 2009, Swiss has partnered with Hiltl , which claims to be the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant (it was founded in Zurich in 1898). The airline celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a three-course meal that included spicy beetroot tabbouleh, penne with vegetarian bolognaise or massaman curry for the main course, and a vegan mango mousse for dessert.

In November, Australian carrier Qantas launched new vegan menu items in all of its classes. Economy passengers can dine on lemon herb pearl couscous with roasted carrots, baby beans and toasted almonds. Higher classes can sample such dishes as pumpkin and ginger soup with sourdough croutons; stir-fried shiitake mushrooms with tofu, chrysanthemum greens and jasmine rice; or plant-based orecchiette with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, cauliflower cream and pangrattato.

For its latest vegan and vegetarian menus, Air New Zealand introduced such dishes as cannellini bean smash with pan-fried tofu spinach and jackfruit with coconut red curry and black mustard seed steamed rice.

Klein recently developed a Western-themed vegan menu for Korean Air. For first class, he created a trio of amuse-bouches, including an onion puree flavored with passion fruit; smashed Yukon potatoes with fresh truffles and a chestnut puree; and a risotto with roasted vegetables. The airline said the menu is in the planning stage and is not on offer yet.

He said the biggest challenge in crafting innovative in-flight meals is not the altitude, which dulls the taste buds, but the cost of some products. He said alternative meats are too expensive to include on menus.

“They are still very pricey,” he said. “We’re not there yet, so we go with regular items, but we try to be creative.”

Platkin is not clamoring for fake proteins on flights. He advocates for clean, healthy ingredients, and said the airlines already rely too heavily on processed foods and easy carbs.

When asked to review new menu options on American Airlines, he said the dishes look tasty, but he was concerned about the heavy use of cheese and the fake meat.

As for the meal plan for international economy passengers, his critique was short and to the point: “It is all pasta.”

More on air travel

Leave flying to the pros: Think you could land a plane in an emergency? Experts say you’re wrong . Here’s what you should actually do if something goes awry during a flight .

Pet peeves: Why do “gate lice” line up early for a flight ? Psychologists explained for us. Another move that annoys airline workers: abusing the flight attendant call button . For more on how to behave on a flight, check out our 52 definitive rules of flying .

Plane mess: Stories about extremely disgusting airplanes have been grossing out travelers. The question of plane cleanups became the subject of a recent debate after a flight attendant allegedly told a pregnant passenger to pick up the popcorn spilled by her toddler.

Frequent flying: Airline status isn’t what it used to be, but at least there are some good movies and TV shows to watch in the air. And somewhere out there, experts are trying to make airline food taste good.

Help and Support

Requirements for flying whilst pregnant, 27/06/2023 • knowledge, information.

What are the requirements for flying whilst pregnant?

Flights 4 hours duration or greater You can travel up to the end of the 36th week for single pregnancies and the end of the 32nd week for multiple pregnancies (e.g. twins). Flights less than 4 hours duration You can travel up to the end of the 40th week for single pregnancies and the end of the 36th week for multiple pregnancies. Medical clearance is required if you are having complications with your pregnancy. Read more about  medical requirements for travelling while pregnant on Qantas flights or see the relevant consulate or embassy.

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