Qantas has updated its controversial policy to cancel a frequent flyer member’s points when they die.
The previous policy has made headlines for years, tagged as unfair and not only adding to a family’s grief but also ignoring the serious value of Qantas Frequent Flyer Points. Thankfully, the national airline now allows Qantas Frequent Flyer Points to be inherited by a family member within 12 months of a death in the family. That means receiving members can utilise those to pay for future travels.
The move comes as part of a broader Qantas program aimed to ease “pain points” for customers interacting with the airline. Under new CEO Vanessa Hudson, the Flying Kangaroo will review several of its long-standing policies for fairness. Subsequent could include the removal of fees to change flights, improved flexibility when the airline cancels or delays flights and boosting the number of frequent flyer reward seats available.
Note that status credits are always non-transferable, with Qantas flagging “status credits can’t be transferred and will expire upon the death of the member”.
Who Can Inherit Qantas Points?
For the purpose of inheriting points, Qantas considers the same list of relations as their Family Transfer program. That list of eligible family members runs as follows;
- Husband or wife
- Parent or step-parent
- Domestic or de facto partner
- Child, including foster or stepchild
- Brother or sister
- Half-brother or half-sister
- Grandparent
- Grandchild
- Daughter-in-law or son-in-law
- Brother-in-law or sister-in-law
- Father-in-law or mother-in-law
- Aunt or uncle
- Nephew or niece
- First cousin
Note that the member receiving points must be able to prove they are in fact related to their loved one. While
Qantas doesn’t list their requirements to prove a relation, we expect a birth certificate or similar to be regarded as sufficient.
How Do I Inherit Qantas Points?
Within 12 months of the deceased member’s passing, the administrator of their estate must contact the Frequent Flyer Service Centre in writing. They must provide documented proof of the member’s death, their status as administrator and details of the Qantas Frequent Flyer member who will receive the points.
You can email the Qantas Frequent Flyer Service Centre at [email protected].
