Frequent flyers know the excitement of racking up Qantas Points. However, the real art lies in using them wisely. Here are the top 5 mistakes to avoid when redeeming your hard-earned Qantas points!
Top 5 Mistakes When Redeeming Qantas Points
1. Redeeming Points on Points + Pay Rates Instead of Booking Classic Reward Flights
One of the most common mistakes is using the Points & Pay option instead of booking Classic Reward flights. While Points & Pay offers flexibility, it often provides less value per point. Classic Reward flights, on the other hand, are a fixed number of points regardless of the cash price, often leading to significantly better value, especially on high-demand or long-haul flights. The key is to plan and book these flights well in advance, as availability can be limited. Classic Reward rates in Business class SYD – LAX are usually 108,400 Points VS 1,500,000+ Points on Points + Pay.
2. Redeeming Flights on Budget Airlines
Budget airlines, like Jetstar, might seem like a great deal, but when it comes to redeeming your Qantas Points, think twice. For example, using points for a Jetstar flight from Brisbane to Bali often yields poor value compared to the cash price. The cost in points for these flights can be disproportionately high, especially considering the added fees and lower service levels. Your points are typically better spent on Qantas flights or their premium partners. Often redemption values on these budget airlines are <2c per point which is far less than what you can get on other flights!
3. Overlooking the Multi-City Search Feature
Many Qantas frequent flyers don’t utilize the Multi-City search function, leading to missed opportunities and time-consuming searches. This tool can be a game-changer, especially for complex itineraries or when trying to maximize the value of your points. By using Multi-City, you can explore various route combinations and dates, increasing your chances of finding available Classic Reward seats and making the most of your points.
4. Redeeming for Products/Hotels Instead of Flights
While it might be tempting to spend points on products or hotel stays, doing so often results in getting less value out of each point. Typically, you’ll get the most bang for your buck when redeeming points for flights or upgrades. This is particularly true for long-haul, international flights, or business and first-class upgrades, where the cost in points is relatively low compared to the cash price.
5. Not Having Enough Points for Future Classic Reward Flights
Finally, a significant pitfall is not planning ahead for future point redemptions. Classic Reward flights, especially in premium cabins or popular routes, require a substantial number of points. It’s essential to always be ‘front running’ your future points redemptions. This means consistently earning points through various methods and keeping an eye on your points balance to ensure you have enough when that dream trip becomes available. You can always top up points by buying them but when booking highly sought after reward seats, you need to be quick and it pays to have those points ready when you need them!
Want to know the best classic reward availably for the month of December? Check out our blog here
Want further help with your points? Discover Mastering Qantas Points: The Complete A-Z Guide for Earning, Searching & Redeeming Qantas Points here
