Best ways to use your Qantas frequent flyer points

This article is part of our ongoing Business Travel 101 series for newcomers to the world of business travel.

Looking for the best ways to use your Qantas frequent flyer points? Here are five top strategies to make the most of your Qanats points.

It's easy to build up a stack of Qantas frequent flyer points, especially when you use the right credit cards.

But what are the best ways to spend those points? Here are five great ways to use Qantas points, to suit all balances and budgets.

Upgrade to first class on flights to London

No doubt the best way for high-flying business travellers to use their points is to upgrade from business class to first class on Qantas’ flagship Airbus A380 flights from Sydney or Melbourne to London via Singapore.

Just 60,000 Qantas Points is all it takes to turn your flexible business class ticket into a full-blown suite for the 24-hour journey, complete with all the usual trimmings of a first class ticket.

Among them: a larger bed with a duvet, pyjamas and slippers; an even better inflight dining experience with a Rockpool-inspired tasting menu, vintage Champagne and access to the Qantas First Lounge in Australia and soon in 2019, the Singapore First Lounge.

Grab a Qantas Business Suite on east-west flights

Not everybody can afford to buy a full-fare business class ticket, but those flying economy aren't forgotten when jetting east to west where just 25,000 Qantas Points gets you bumped up to business from the cheapest economy seat.

Better yet, if you're travelling on a flexible economy fare, that's slashed more than half to just 10,000 Qantas Points for the same business class upgrade: a particularly great use of your points on flights fitted with Qantas' latest Business Suites.

You'll find the suites on every Airbus A330 service running between Perth and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Also read: Qantas vs Virgin Australia A330 domestic business class

Understandably, these upgrades are in high demand – so get your request in early, either online or at the Qantas Club or Business Lounge as soon as you arrive for travellers with lounge access.

Fly in first class for just 54,000 points

For that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly first class but without parting with a five-figure sum, look to Emirates' Airbus A380 flights from Sydney to Christchurch: available for just 54,000 Qantas Points in first class.

Your journey begins with a pre-flight visit to the Qantas First Lounge in Sydney – followed by Dom Pérignon Champagne served straight to your seat and even an inflight shower if it takes your fancy.

Then, sit back and enjoy while breakfast is served, wander down to the inflight bar and lounge for a cocktail or ensconce yourself in the suite by closing the doors and leaving all your cares behind.

After experiencing first class, we're sure you'll be more motivated than ever to maximise your points, and perhaps never have to fly economy ever again.

Fly around the world in business class

Much as points can be used for upgrades and to book regular flights on their lonesome, they can also be used for a whirlwind trip around the globe with Qantas and its Oneworld airline partners.

To fly business class the whole way, you're looking at 280,000 Qantas Points – that's only 24,000 more points than a simple return trip from Sydney to London!

'Oneworld awards', as they're known, allow you spend time in up to five cities and can span up to 35,000 miles on a single trip, provided you fly with at least two Oneworld airlines other than Qantas.

For example, your 280,000 points could land you an itinerary like this in business class:

• Sydney-Hong Kong with Qantas or Cathay Pacific
• Hong Kong-London with British Airways or Cathay Pacific
• London-New York with American Airlines or British Airways
• New York-Miami with American Airlines
• Miami-Santiago with American Airlines or LATAM
• Santiago-Sydney with Qantas or LATAM (via Auckland)

The only catch? Finding a web of flights with frequent flyer reward seats available can be tricky, so for complex itineraries it's best to plan well in advance.

Upgrade short flights from just 5,000 points

Having a much smaller pool of frequent flyer points doesn't mean you can't too fly business class – short Australian domestic flights such as Sydney-Melbourne and Brisbane-Sydney are another great and easy way to put your points to work.

From a flexible economy ticket you'll need only 5,000 Qantas Points to perch yourself in business class, and heck, 10,000 Qantas Points from any other economy ticket – even the cheapies grabbed on sale – gets the same result.

It's an even better deal on a handful of short flights served by Qantas' newer A330s with Business Suites up front, but as these vary from day to day, just keep your eyes peeled for the odd A330 and pounce on it when given the chance.

These days, when credit cards come with generous sign-up bonuses of tens of thousands of points in their own right, it really is true that anyone can fly in business class if they put their mind to it.

Also read: The worst possible ways to use your Qantas Points

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Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.