Qantas cuts Classic Award points rate for free Jetstar flights
By David Flynn, April 8 2013
Qantas is reducing the number of frequent flyer points needed to claim free flights on its low-cost sibling Jetstar, while also extending Classic Awards redemptions to Jetstar Japan and Jetstar Asia.
Under the new scheme, which comes into effect today, Classic Award bookings on Jetstar can now be made for 20% fewer points. The reduction applies to both domestic and international Jetstar services.
A 'free' one-way economy seat on Jetstar's Melbourne-Singapore service now costs 24,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points, down from 30,000 points (although there's still $195 in taxes and fees), while Perth-Singapore drops from 25,000 points to 20,000 points.
A seat on Jetstar's Melbourne-Hobart flight can now be had for 6,400 points, down from 8,000.
Qantas Frequent Flyer members will also be able to trade in their points for flights on Jetstar's overseas-based offshoots of Singapore-based Jetstar Asia (including Valuair flights to Indonesia) and Jetstar Japan, whose combined networks reach over two dozen cities throughout Asia.
“The ability to book flights on Jetstar’s network in Asia means members can use points to fly from Sydney to Tokyo on Qantas and onwards with Jetstar Japan to Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa,” said Lesley Grant, CEO of Qantas Loyalty.
Qantas has been aggressively expanding the Jetstar brand since its domestic debut in 2004, under the stewardship of current Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce.
The latest joint venture is Jetstar Hong Kong, formed in partnership with China Eastern Airlines and due to launch later this year.
Also read...
- How to maximise your Qantas Frequent Flyer points on Emirates flights
- The best (and worst) ways to spend your Qantas Frequent Flyer points
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 780
"A 'free' one-way economy seat on Jetstar's Melbourne-Singapore service now costs 24,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points, down from 30,000 points (although there's still $195 in taxes and fees)"
Yay QF. A quick search finds this route on JQ for ~$320 e.g. May-June. What a waste of points.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
I'm glad they've realised the value of a seat on QF is not the same as that of JQ and have adjusted the cost appropriately.
How long did they think they could get away with such a rediculous notion?
24 Oct 2011
Total posts 159
For as long as day is followed by night.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Mar 2012
Total posts 211
still way overpriced for a cut price sibling of a 'proper' airline
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jan 2013
Total posts 66
Weirdly, it now takes MORE points to fly CBR-SIN via MEL on QF/JQ than it does to do it on QF alone.
Great saving.... Not!
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