How To Buy Qantas Frequent Flyer Points With 50% Bonus

Qantas Points are a gateway to unlocking premium travel experiences, from luxury flights to hotel stays. Occasionally, Qantas offers the opportunity to buy points with a bonus, making it an appealing option for those looking to top up their balance quickly. But the question remains: should you buy Qantas Points, even with a 50% bonus? The answer isn't always straightforward so let's dive in!

Can You Buy Qantas Points?

Absolutely! Like many other loyalty programs, Qantas allows its Frequent Flyer members to buy points directly. However, the standard pricing can be steep, often making it an uneconomical choice for bulk purchases.

Buying points might make sense if you need a small top-up to reach the points required for a reward booking. For example, if you're just 5,000 points short of securing a business class reward flight, purchasing points, especially during a bonus promotion can provide value. But for larger purchases, the cost of points often outweighs the benefit. (unless there's a bonus on!)

How to Buy Qantas Points

Purchasing Qantas Points is a straightforward process, but there are a few prerequisites to keep in mind:

Membership Requirement: You must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member for at least 30 days before you can purchase points. If you're not a member yet, sign up for free using one of Qantas’ frequent membership promotions.

Steps to Purchase:

• Log in to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account.
• Navigate to the Top-up Points page, where you'll find an option to select the number of points you wish to buy.
• Choose the desired points increment (points are sold in multiples of 1,000).
• Proceed to payment using a credit or debit card.

What Do Qantas Points Cost?

The regular price for Qantas Points is AU$0.056 per point. Here’s a breakdown of costs for various increments:

At standard pricing, buying points outright for premium rewards (like a business or first-class flight) often doesn’t make financial sense. However, when a bonus like 50% is on, these prices become rather attractive. For instance, a one-way business class flight from Sydney to Paris requires 144,600 Qantas Points plus taxes and fees. Purchasing these outright would cost around AU$2,631.72 + taxes and fees, which is significant saving compared to buying a Qantas Business class flight outright.

Current Qantas Bonus Promotion

For a limited time, Qantas is offering up to a 50% bonus on purchased points. Here’s how the promotion is tiered:

This promotion runs from 3 December 2024 to 9 December 2024. To take advantage of this deal, purchase points in multiples of 1,000 within the specified time frame. Keep in mind:

• Points can only be purchased four times per member in a 12-month period.
• Top-up Points cannot be refunded or transferred once purchased.
• Each purchase must be for a minimum of 1,000 Qantas Points and a maximum of 150,000 Qantas Points.

Is Buying Qantas Points Worth It?

To decide if purchasing Qantas Points is worthwhile, consider these factors:

1. Redemption Value: Calculate the value of your redemption. For example, a business class flight from Sydney to Singapore costs 68,400 points plus taxes. If you buy points at $0.0182 per point (with the 50% bonus), the flight cost in points would be $2,489.76 plus taxes and fees return in business. Compare this to the cash price of the same flight. Right now cash tickets on Qantas cost around AU$4,180 on sale so buying points can get you a significant discount!
2. Taxes and Fees: When booking reward flights, you’ll need to pay additional taxes and fees. These costs can sometimes make redemptions less attractive.
3. Alternatives: Check if cheaper ways to earn points (credit card sign-up bonuses, partner offers) can get you closer to your goal.

Alternative Ways to Accumulate Qantas Points

Buying points isn’t the only way to boost your balance. Here are some alternatives that can offer better value:

1. Qantas Wine Offers

Qantas Wine frequently runs promotions offering bonus points with wine purchases. These bonuses can quickly boost your points balance for a similar cost of buying Qantas Points. We've even developed our own Qantas Wine tracker tool which automatically updates the best bonus wine offers!

2. Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses

Many Australian credit cards offer generous Qantas Points as sign-up bonuses. These promotions can yield upwards of 100,000 points, often for an annual fee of $300–$500. Be sure to evaluate the spending requirements and annual fees before committing.

3. Everyday Spending

Earn points through Qantas’ network of retail and service partners:

• Supermarkets: Link your Frequent Flyer account to Woolworths Everyday Rewards to convert shopping points into Qantas Points.
• Qantas Shopping: Earn bonus points for online purchases through the Qantas Shopping portal.

4. Hotel and Car Rental Partners

Book stays with Qantas hotel partners or hire cars through Avis and Budget to earn points on travel essentials.

5. Points Transfers from Partners

Programs like Choice Privileges allow you to buy points cheaply and transfer them to Qantas during double transfer promotions, effectively doubling their value. You can check out our guide to Choice Rewards to learn how to transfer them to Qantas during double transfer promos.

When Does Buying Qantas Points Make Sense?

There are specific scenarios where buying points can be a good idea:

1. Topping Up for a Reward: If you’re a few thousand points short of a reward redemption, buying points during a bonus promotion can save you from missing out on a booking.
2. Rare Premium Cabin Availability: If you spot a first or business class reward seat on a high-demand route, purchasing points to secure it might be worth it, especially when cash prices for the same seat are exorbitant.
3. Last-Minute Travel: Reward seats often have better availability for last-minute bookings. Buying points to book these can sometimes yield excellent value.

Avoid This When Buying Qantas Points

While buying points can be beneficial in specific circumstances, there are risks:

• Overpaying: Always calculate the cost-per-point and compare it with the value of your redemption.
• Expiry: Qantas Points expire if your account remains inactive for 18 months. Ensure you’re earning or redeeming points periodically to keep your balance alive.
• Devaluation: Airlines frequently adjust their reward charts, potentially reducing the value of your points over time.

Summing Up: Should You Buy Qantas Points?

In most cases, buying Qantas Points directly isn’t the most economical option. However, promotions offering bonuses, like the current 50% bonus can make it worthwhile for topping up your account to secure a specific reward.

For frequent flyers who strategise their points accumulation through alternative methods, such as credit card bonuses and partner offers, buying points should only be a last resort. Always do the math and compare the total cost of redemption (including taxes and fees) against cash ticket prices to ensure you’re getting value for money.