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Qantas Reduces Points and Surcharges for Economy Awards

Richard Kerr
Richard Kerr
Contributor
Richard Kerr is a veteran naval officer and founder of the Award Travel 101 Facebook community. He’s one of the foremost experts in points and miles strategy, featured in Forbes, US News, Money Magazine, Kiplinger Personal Finance and presented at #SXSW 2017. Richard has visited over 45 countries, lived in England and Japan, and spends his spare time dissecting loyalty program award charts to maximize the value of points and miles. Richard holds a BBA in International Business and has his wife and two small children in tow for his travels as often as possible.
Jan. 08, 2016
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2 min read
Qantas Plane shutterstock_285018902
Qantas Reduces Points and Surcharges for Economy Awards
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Qantas, the highest-ranked airline in the world in terms of safety, added another feather to its cap this week by announcing a reduction in the number of points required for economy-class award flights. Qantas also reduced the hefty carrier-imposed surcharges it places on award tickets booked through the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.

While the number of points was only lowered by about 10%, the carrier-imposed surcharges are dropping between 20-30% thanks to lower worldwide fuel costs. Qantas deserves a tip of the hat, and it would be great if more airlines (such as British Airways) lower carrier-imposed surcharges, especially now that fuel costs are significantly lower.

Round-trip point reduction examples from Qantas.

Qantas is reducing the number of Qantas Points required for economy Classic Flight Rewards that fall within zones 4-10 of the Qantas Classic Flight Reward table. This includes selected international destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Africa. The number of points required on selected economy Classic Flight Rewards with partner airlines Fiji Airways, American and Emirates has also been reduced.

Round-trip flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles on Qantas or bookings on partner carrier American from Los Angeles to Sydney drop 6,000 points for a total of 90,000 points. Carrier-imposed surcharges decreased $190 to $419.32. By comparison, American's AAdvantage charges 75,000 miles and $104.76 for a round-trip economy award ticket from Los Angeles to Sydney.

American charges 15,000 miles and $312 less than Qantas for an economy ticket to Australia.
American charges 15,000 miles and $312 less than Qantas for an economy ticket to Australia.

Qantas became the 11th transfer partner of Citi ThankYou rewards earlier this year, and while this announcement helps lessen the sting of an underwhelming award chart, Qantas still isn't necessarily the most valuable partner. That said, if your travel plans will take you to Australia and you're sitting on a ton of Qantas or Citi ThankYou points, this is great news.

Will you book an award flight to Australia now that Qantas has reduced redemption rates and surcharges?

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