South America has long been a favourite among travellers, offering some of the world’s most iconic bucket-list destinations. From the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru to the thundering Iguazú Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil, alongside the dramatic landscapes of Patagonia, the vibrant energy of Rio de Janeiro, and the vast, untamed Amazon Rainforest—South America consistently ranks highly on many travellers’ wishlists.
Travelling from Australia to South America isn’t always so straightforward, with redemption flights among the hardest to locate, particularly in Business Class.
Direct Flights Redemptions from Australia to South America
| Route | Airline | Redemption Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney ↔ Santiago | Qantas & LATAM | Qantas Points |
| Melbourne ↔ Santiago | LATAM | Qantas Points |
There are three direct routes operated by Qantas and LATAM Airlines, all of which can be booked using Qantas Points. However, in practice, availability is scarce, and the most common option tends to be the more expensive Classic Plus Rewards, rather than the better-value Classic Reward seats on Qantas-operated flights.
Indirect Flight Redemptions from Australia to South America
Being flexible with your routing opens up many more possibilities. LATAM Airlines operates direct flights from Auckland, making it relatively easy to connect from various Australian capital cities. Another option is flying with China Eastern Airlines from Auckland to Buenos Aires; however, while both options are technically bookable using Qantas Points, availability is difficult to come by.
For travellers based on Australia’s west coast, one option to reach South America is flying with South African Airways from Perth to São Paulo, with a stopover in Johannesburg. These redemptions are available using Velocity Frequent Flyer points, and need to be booked over the phone with the Velocity team.
| Route | Airline | Redemption Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Australia ↔ Auckland | LATAM | Qantas Points |
| Auckland ↔ Buenos Aires | China Eastern | Qantas Points |
| Perth ↔ Johannesburg ↔ São Paulo | South African Airways | Velocity Points |
Looking further afield, flying via the Middle East with Emirates or Qatar Airways is another option. While the extended flight time generally requires more points, the upside is access to a much wider range of destinations across Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia.
Flying via the United States and then continuing on to South America can also unlock a broader range of destinations South America. However, this routing is more time-consuming, as you’ll need to enter the USA and clear customs and immigration before continuing your onward journey.
Cash Flights vs Points: When Paying Cash Is the Smarter Choice
Given the limited flight options from Australia to South America, and the added challenge of poor availability, we regularly recommend booking a cash fare especially if you require internal flights within South America, which can often be combined into a single itinerary.
First Class Travel has booked hundreds of trips from Australia to South America, with a focus on business class travel. We regularly secure great flight deals from Australia to South America, allowing you to experience some of the most incredible landscapes and cultures South America has to offer in comfort.
For those feeling more adventurous, it can also open the door to round-the-world fares that include South American destinations. Speak with a First Class Travel consultant today to explore your options.
FAQs: Use Points or Cash to South America
LATAM Airlines operates an extensive network across Chile, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Argentina. It is often the primary option for award travel within the region, with flight redemptions available on select routes using Qantas Frequent Flyer points.
Avianca and Copa Airlines are both part of Star Alliance, providing strong coverage across many cities in South America. These routes can often be redeemed using points through programs such as Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer or Air New Zealand Koru.
Lastly, with Aerolíneas Argentinas being part of SkyTeam flight redemptions are possible using Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points, however flight availability & bookings can only be confirmed by phone.
With just two airlines, Qantas and LATAM Airlines operating direct routes between Australia and South America, Business Class award availability is extremely limited. Because there’s very little competition on these routes, reward seats are released sparingly and are often in high demand, making them difficult to secure.
While it is possible to get lucky and find availability, in most cases redemptions are hard to come by. For this reason, we generally recommend considering a cash fare for direct routing.
First Class Travel has access to a range of competitive Business Class deals, with return fares often starting from around $6,000 AUD.
Final pricing will vary depending on routing, airline choice, and seasonal availability. Our travel consultants can help you compare options and find the best deal to suit your next trip to South America or a make it part of a round-the-world trip.
