Starting August 5, 2025, travellers using Qantas Points will face significant changes. The airline is introducing a broad increase in the number of Qantas Points required for Classic Reward seats and upgrades, impacting everything from short domestic flights to luxurious around-the-world trips.
Qantas Points: More Required Across the Board
Qantas has announced a sweeping change in its frequent flyer program that will see a 10-20% increase in Qantas Points needed for redemptions and upgrades. This marks only the second such hike since 2004, and the first since 2019. According to Qantas Loyalty CEO Andrew Glance, these changes are designed to keep the program sustainable while continuing to expand seat availability for Classic and Classic Plus Rewards.
These changes will affect all frequent flyers, no matter the cabin class—from economy to first class.
Lock In Lower Qantas Points Rates Before August
If you’re planning to use your Qantas Points for a trip, your best strategy is to book early. Classic Reward seats can be secured up to 11 months in advance, meaning you can still lock in lower rates for travel as far ahead as June 2026—provided you book before August 5, 2025.
Earn More Qantas Points on Paid Flights
There’s a silver lining for frequent flyers: from July 2025, Qantas is also increasing the number of Qantas Points earned on paid flights. Domestic flights will earn up to 25% more points, and the ‘status bonus’ cap for premium cabins—previously limited to Flexible Economy rates—will be abolished. This change allows bonus points to be earned on the full base fare, with Qantas estimating an additional 4 billion points entering circulation annually.
Key Increases in Qantas Points Redemptions
Economy Flight Redemptions
Expect to pay approximately 10-15% more Qantas Points for Classic Flight Reward seats in economy class. While most international routes in premium cabins will see a 20% increase, shorter flights up to 2,400 miles will rise by just 5%.
Upgrades
If you typically use Qantas Points for upgrades, prepare for higher costs:
- Domestic upgrades from economy to business will increase by:
- 15% for short routes (under 1,200 miles like Sydney-Melbourne or Brisbane-Melbourne)
- 20% for longer routes (e.g., transcontinental flights)
- International upgrades will see
- A 10% increase for flights under 3,600 miles (e.g., Perth-Singapore)
- A 20% hike for longer international routes
In addition, the cash surcharge for Classic Reward seats—termed ‘carrier charges’—will rise. For example, a business class Classic Reward seat from Sydney to London will now require an additional $648, up from $473, a 35% increase.
Around-the-World Flights with Qantas Points
The highly sought-after Oneworld Classic Flight Reward for around-the-world travel is also becoming more expensive. This redemption, which includes up to 15 flights and five stopovers across 35,000 miles, will increase significantly:
- Premium Economy: 249,600 → 287,000 Qantas Points
- Business Class: 318,000 → 365,800 Qantas Points
- First Class: 455,000 → 523,200 Qantas Points
If you’ve been saving your points for this golden opportunity, now’s the time to act before the increase takes effect.
Changes for Partner Airline Redemptions
Qantas Points needed for flights with partner airlines are also on the rise. Emirates premium cabins will now require 5-10% more points, though economy class rates may slightly decrease for longer flights.
Redemptions with other partner airlines—including Oneworld members, China Airlines, and starting October 2025, Hawaiian Airlines—will also increase by approximately 15-20%, aligning with Qantas’ new internal rates.
Jetstar Offers Relief with Lower Qantas Points
Not all the news is bad. In a rare exception, Jetstar is lowering the Qantas Points cost for many domestic routes. For flights under 600 miles—making up nearly half of Jetstar’s domestic offerings—Classic Reward seats will drop from 6,400 to 5,700 Qantas Points.
Popular routes benefiting from this decrease include:
- Sydney to Melbourne
- Sydney to Brisbane
- Sydney to Gold Coast
- Melbourne to Adelaide
- Melbourne to Tasmania
Summing up
With Qantas Points set to undergo their most significant value adjustment in years, now is the time to act if you’re planning a trip. Lock in your Classic Reward redemptions or upgrades before August 5, 2025, to avoid the higher rates. On the bright side, enhanced earning opportunities and cheaper Jetstar redemptions offer some balance to these changes.
Talk to one of our First and Business class booking experts to help make the most of your points before the increases take effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
The increases for Classic Reward redemptions and upgrades will take effect from August 5, 2025. Bookings made before this date will retain the current lower rates.
Only if you’ve booked your Classic Reward seat before August 5, 2025. These bookings are valid for travel through to June 2026 under the old rates.
Qantas says the increases reflect rising operational costs and help sustain the frequent flyer program while expanding Classic Reward seat availability in the long term.
Yes. From July 2025, you can earn up to 25% more Qantas Points on domestic flights, and premium cabins will no longer be capped at Flexible Economy earn rates.
Upgrades to business class will cost about 15% more on short domestic routes and 20% more on longer or international routes starting August 5, 2025.
Yes. Classic Reward rates for most partner airlines, including Emirates and Oneworld members, will increase by 15–20%, aligning with Qantas’ new pricing structure.
Yes. Jetstar economy Classic Reward flights under 600 miles will decrease from 6,400 to 5,700 Qantas Points, covering many popular short domestic routes.
Business class around-the-world trips will cost 365,800 Qantas Points from August 5, up from 318,000. First class will rise to 523,200 Qantas Points.
Yes, using the Oneworld Classic Flight Reward option, which allows up to 15 flights and five stopovers across multiple carriers in one round-the-world booking.
Yes. Carrier charges for Classic Reward seats, especially in premium cabins, will rise. For instance, Sydney-London business class fees increase from $473 to $648.
