It’s well-known that Qantas Frequent Flyers can amass points and status credits on the likes of Qantas and Cathay Pacific – but you can also scoop those up when flying with Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Airberlin and more!
And thanks to an extended Qantas/American Airlines codeshare network, you’ll earn those points and status credits at the higher Qantas rates within the USA to destinations such as Atlanta, San Antonio and Richmond.
That’s all in this week’s wrap, along with our ultimate guide for upgrading from economy to business class – whether that’s with Qantas, Virgin Australia, Singapore Airlines, Emirates or Cathay Pacific – and Etihad’s new frequent flyer partnership with SAS Scandinavian Airlines.
To wind things up, we’ll show you how to earn points and status credits when connecting from Tokyo to cities such as Fukuoka, Okinawa and Osaka.
Five Oneworld airlines you probably haven't flown, but should...
Most Australian business travellers naturally belong to the 10 million-strong Qantas Frequent Flyer program and are already earning points on their Qantas flights both at home and abroad.
And as a member of Oneworld, Qantas has partners a'plenty including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, American Airlines and Malaysia Airlines, through which you can earn points and status credits while still enjoying perks such as lounge access and priority check-in.
But there are several other Oneworld airlines that are worth checking out for your next international trip…
Read more: Five Oneworld airlines you probably haven't flown, but should...
Qantas adds to American Airlines codeshare flights
Qantas is putting nine more American Airlines routes from Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth onto its roster of codeshares that can be booked as Qantas flights.
The list includes three new destinations in Hawaii along with Atlanta, San Antonio and Richmond, Virginia.
Although frequent flyers could already earn points on the ‘native’ AA flight number, booking the Qantas codeshare normally serves up more points and status credits, and also counts towards the ‘Qantas marketed’ tally for reaching top-tier Platinum One status.
Read more: Qantas adds to American Airlines codeshare flights
The business class upgrade guide
Your boss or your budget may see you consigned to the cheap seats in economy but there's no reason you have to stay there.
Our expert upgrade guides reveal how a serve of frequent flyer points can bump you up to business class on your next flight with Qantas, Virgin Australia, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
See how it’s done: The business class upgrade guide
Etihad, SAS announce codeshare, frequent flyer partnership
Etihad Airways and SAS will begin codesharing flights under a new partnership to begin in January 2015, which will also encompass their respective Etihad Guest and EuroBonus frequent flyer schemes.
The codeshare agreement, which remains subject to regulatory approval, will see SAS place its SK code on Etihad Airways’ flights between Abu Dhabi and Brussels, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Rome, Milan, Zurich, Geneva and London Heathrow.
In turn, Etihad Airways will place its EY code on SAS-operated flights from these European destinations, excluding Brussels, onto SAS’ hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm and beyond.
Read more: Etihad, SAS announce codeshare, frequent flyer partnership
Qantas adds Jetstar Japan codeshare flights
Qantas is adding more Jetstar Japan flights to its codeshare roster, making it easier for travellers to Tokyo to continue flying to other cities in Japan on a single ticket.
From mid-January, Qantas customers will be able to travel on Jetstar Japan services from Narita to Sapporo, Fukuoka, Oita, Okinawa, Osaka, Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Kumamoto and Kagoshima.
On the higher-priced economy tickets in the Y, B, H and K fare buckets, Qantas Frequent Flyer members will be able to earn both points and status credits – as they also can on L-type fares booked in conjunction with a round-the-world fare.
Read more: Qantas adds Jetstar Japan codeshare flights
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
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