Qantas has unleashed a tsunami of discounted flights this year, hoping to rid the smell of its reputation. As part of the Red Roo’s latest sale, its thirteenth for the year, Qantas has slashed fares for Premium Economy and Business Class flights.
The sale covers twenty international routes, starting at $1,199 for return Business Class from Sydney or Melbourne to Auckland. If you’re just getting around to booking that Euro summer trip, Business Class fares are on sale from Sydney to London starting at $8,949 return. Even with the discount, that’s still pretty steep, but it beats the eye-watering $12,000 Qantas usually charges London.
These discounted flights are also available to book as Classic Plus Rewards, Qantas’ dynamic flight reward product introduced earlier this year. Classic Plus rewards vary like commercial fares, which means the points required to book Classic Plus can drop during sales periods.
During this sale, three routes become cheaper when booked as Classic Plus, instead of what is typically the best value, Classic Flight Rewards. Although, the remaining routes can be considerably more expensive under Classic Plus, despite being on sale.
Qantas’ Premium Cabin Sale fares are available until 20 June 2024 at 11.59pm AEDT, unless sold out prior. Blackout dates apply for each route, with travel dates between July 2024 and May 2025.
Premium Economy
It’s surprising to see the return journey from Sydney to London in Premium Economy offered cheaper as Classic Plus, from 179,600 Qantas Points return on sale. That’s compared to 216,800 Qantas Points return for a Classic Reward, which would usually be considered the best value.
Remember that in Premium Economy the taxes are identical for Classic Plus and Classic Rewards. For Sydney to London return, the taxes are quite high at $1,106 thanks mostly to the UK Air Passenger Duty charged for departures.
But despite being on sale, all other Premium Economy Classic Plus fares are more expensive than Classic Rewards. Below are some of Qantas’ international sale fares in Premium Economy, with the cost of a Classic Reward added for comparison.
| Route (return) | Cash | Classic Plus | Classic Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne-Los Angeles | $3,199 | 179,300pts + $510 | 162,600pts + $510 |
| Sydney-London | $3,799 | 179,600 pts + $1,106 | 216,800pts + $1,106 |
| Perth-Los Angeles | $3,549 | 201,900pts + $549 | 189,800pts + $549 |
| Sydney-New York | $4,399 | 249,300pts + $660 | 216,800pts + $660 |
| Brisbane-New York | $4,399 | 250,200pts + $646 | 216,800pts + $646 |
| Melbourne-New York | $4,399 | 250,700pts + $639 | 216,800pts + $639 |
Business Class
As is becoming the norm, Business Class across the ditch can be had rather easily at a discount thanks to Classic Plus. Return to Auckland from Sydney is considerably cheaper, starting at 62,500 Qantas Points + $263 taxes return. A Classic Reward would cost 83,000 Qantas Points + $272 taxes return. It’s a similar story for Melbourne to Auckland.
Again, despite being on sale, the remaining Business Classic Plus fares are more expensive than Classic Rewards. Below are some of Qantas’ international sale fares in Business Class, with the cost of a Classic Reward added for comparison.
| Route (return) | Cash | Classic Plus | Classic Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney-Auckland | $1,199 | 62,500pts + $263 | 83,000pts + taxes |
| Melbourne-Auckland | $1,199 | 63,200pts + $252 | 83,000pts + taxes |
| Sydney-Nadi | $2,599 | 154,700pts + $279 | 83,000pts + taxes |
| Melbourne-Seoul | $3,999 | 224,000pts + $668 | 164,000pts + taxes |
| Sydney-Hong Kong | $4,299 | 254,000pts + $490 | 136,800pts + taxes |
| Brisbane-Hong Kong | $4,299 | 250,000pts + $577 | 164,000pts + taxes |
| BrisbaneTokyo | $4,999 | 289,400pts + $687 | 136,800pts + taxes |
| Sydney-Tokyo | $4,999 | 293,400pts + $599 | 164,000pts + taxes |
| Sydney-Los Angeles | $7,299 | 409,200pts + $1,162 | 216,800pts + taxes |
| Sydney-London | $8,949 | 483,600pts + $1,696 | 289,200pts + taxes |
