Travel news, reviews and intel for high-flyers

Qantas

Qantas is the national airline of Australia, headquartered in Sydney. Established in 1920, it is one of the world's oldest and most recognized airlines. Qantas operates a wide network of domestic and international flights, connecting major cities and destinations across Australia, Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Known for its high standards of service and safety, Qantas offers various cabin classes, in-flight entertainment, and amenities. The airline is a founding member of the Oneworld alliance and provides a loyalty program called Qantas Frequent Flyer, rewarding travelers with points and benefits.

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FAQ

What is the Qantas Frequent Flyer program?

Qantas runs the most popular frequent flyer program in Australia, with 12 million members. The joining fee is usually AU$99.50 ($63.50), but you can sometimes bag free membership.

You can earn Qantas Points by:
 Booking flights with Qantas and partner airlines
 Booking hotels and holidays
 Spending through Qantas partners, which include Vodafone, cinemas, and popular online vendors
 Spending money on Qantas credit cards

Qantas Points can be used on:
 Free flights. The point cost of a flight is based on the distance and the type of fare. For instance, 8,000 points will buy you a one-way economy ticket on a flight of up to 600 miles. A return ticket between Sydney and Melbourne would cost 16,000 points.
 Upgrades to business class
 Qantas Club membership, offering lounge access at airports with complimentary refreshments, business facilities, Wi-Fi, and showers.
 Free hotel stays and car rental vouchers

You’ll also earn Status Credits on flights, which contribute to you attaining and maintaining your Qantas Frequent Flyer status:
 Bronze
 Silver
 Gold
 Platinum
 Platinum One

The higher the tier, the more Status Bonuses you’ll earn, such as priority check-in, lounge access, extra baggage allowances, upgrades for you and your family members, seats with more legroom, etc.

The frequent flyer program is for individuals, while Australian-based businesses can sign up for Qantas Business Rewards, which allows them to earn Qantas Points and access discounts of up to 10% on the base fare.

What are Qantas' ticketing options?

Qantas offers up to four travel classes, with availability depending on the route. The amenities and perks offered in each class depend on the route and the aircraft.

Economy
 Personal seat-back touch screen inflight entertainment system with more than 1,000 hours of content (international flights, some trans-Tasman and domestic flights)
 Meals on long-haul flights, snacks on shorter flights
 Amenity kits on some international flights

Premium Economy
 Dedicated check-in counter, priority boarding lane and disembarkation access
 Private cabin with dedicated cabin crew
 Wider reclining seats with more legroom
 Personal touch screen entertainment system and noise-canceling headphones
 Complimentary glass of sparkling wine or a cocktail
 Menu designed by Australian celebrity chef Neil Perry and served on tableware

Business
 Priority check-in counter and dedicated boarding lane and disembarkation access
 Complimentary access to Qantas Business or partner airline lounges in airports
 Luxury seats with more room. Seats on international flights recline into a fully flat bed.
 Personal on-demand inflight entertainment
 Formal dining on tableware, with a menu designed by Neil Perry and wine and champagne to match, with advice from an on-board sommelier
 Access to the upper deck lounge on the A380
 Luxury amenity kits with pajamas and premium skincare products
 Priority baggage handling

First
 Dedicated check-in suite in Sydney and Melbourne
 Access to First lounges and complimentary treatment in the First Lounge Spas in Sydney and Melbourne
 Priority boarding access through a dedicated lane at any stage of the boarding process
 Travel in your own suite, with an armchair-style seat, in-seat massage, inflight entertainment,
 Restaurant-style dining with an à la carte menu designed by Neil Perry
 Wines recommended by one of the airline’s “Sommeliers in the Sky”
 Turn the suite into a luxury bedroom, with seats that recline fully flat and have premium bedding, including a memory foam mattress
 Access to the upper deck lounge on the A380
 Luxury amenity kit with pajamas and skincare products

What are Qantas' baggage fees?

Your checked and carry-on baggage allowances and extra fees depend on the type of flight (domestic, international), your fare type, and your Qantas Frequent Flyer membership tier.

Australian domestic flights
 Carry-on: 14kg total, each piece must not exceed 10kg. Bags must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead locker (all classes)
 Complimentary checked baggage: 1 piece up to 50lbs (Economy), 2 pieces up to 70lbs each (Business), more for frequent flyers in membership tiers Silver and above
 Pre-purchase additional allowance: a maximum of 5 additional pieces, AU$50 ($32.50) per piece.
 Excess baggage: charged at the airport. AU$100 ($65) for each extra piece, AU$50 ($32.50) heavy charge for each bag exceeding 50lbs

International flights
 Carry-on: one piece up to 7kg (Economy); up to 14kg total, each piece must be under 10kg (First, Business, and Premium Economy)
 Complimentary checked baggage: 66lb (Economy), 88lbs (Premium Economy and Business), 110lbs (First). Frequent flyers have higher by-weight allowances.
 Pre-purchase additional allowance: usually charged by each additional 5kg (11lb) of weight and depending on destination.
· within Oceania: AU$70 ($45.60) per 11lbs
· between Australia and Asia: AU$122 ($79) per 11lbs.
· between Australia and Europe or South Africa: AU$280 ($182) per 11lbs.
· between Australia and the Americas: AU$225 or $150 (depending on starting locations) per piece up to 70lbs
 Excess baggage: charged at the airport, usually based on each additional kg
· within Oceania: AU$20 ($13) per kg (2.2lbs)
· between Australia and Asia: AU$35 ($32) per kg
· between Asia and London: AU$60 ($39) per kg
· between Australia and Europe or South Africa: AU$80 ($52) per kg
· to the Americas: AU$300 ($195) for each extra piece
· from the Americas: US$200 for each extra piece