Qantas Frequent Flyer: how to get started

Two-thirds of all Qantas Points are now earned on the ground, not in the air. That's Qantas's own figure, and it's the most useful thing a new member can know: you don't need to fly much to build a balance worth using.

This guide covers how to join without paying the fee, the easiest ways to earn, how to spend points well, and what the status changes on 8 December mean for you.

What is Qantas Frequent Flyer?

Qantas Frequent Flyer is Qantas's loyalty program, with more than 18 million members. You earn Qantas Points on flights and everyday spending, and redeem them for flights on Qantas, Jetstar and partner airlines, plus upgrades, hotels and shopping. Separately, Status Credits from flying move you through tiers from Bronze to Platinum One.

How to join without paying $99.50

Qantas usually charges a $99.50 joining fee, but you rarely need to pay it. Qantas and its partners regularly run free-join offers, and some products include membership, such as the Qantas Travel Money card. Look for a current free-join link before you sign up. Your membership number arrives instantly.

Join even if you rarely fly Qantas. Points expire after 18 months with no earning or redeeming, but a single small earn resets the clock.

How to earn Qantas Points

When you fly. You earn on eligible Qantas, Jetstar and partner airline flights, with at least 800 points on every eligible Qantas economy flight. Qantas also lifted points on domestic flights by up to 25% in July 2025.

On the ground. This is where most points come from. Set up the first three in your first week:

• Everyday Rewards at Woolworths, BWS and Big W: every 2,000 points converts to 1,000 Qantas Points automatically once you link accounts.
• BP Rewards: Qantas Points on fuel and in-store purchases.
• Qantas Shopping: start there before you buy online and earn points on top of the purchase.
• Qantas Wellbeing app: points for hitting step and activity goals.
• Qantas Hotels and car hire: points on top of the booking.
• A Qantas Points-earning credit card: usually the biggest single source. Frequent flyer cards vs bank rewards points explains your options.

How to spend Qantas Points

The most important choice you'll make is between two kinds of reward flight.

Classic Flight Rewards have fixed points prices set by distance. Seats are limited, but this is where the value is. Sydney to Melbourne costs 9,200 points plus about $52 in economy, or 19,300 points plus about $80 in business.

Classic Plus Flight Rewards let you use points on almost any seat, priced off the cash fare. They're easy to find, but each point is worth exactly 1 cent in economy and 1.25 cents in other cabins.

Values from [Finder](https://www.finder.com.au/frequent-flyer/qantas/frequent-flyer-analysis-how-much-is-1-qantas-point-worth), August 2026. Flight prices correct as of July 2026.

Upgrades are worth knowing too. Moving a Melbourne to Sydney flexible economy fare into business costs from 5,400 points.

To find Classic seats, use the Flight Reward Finder on qantas.com, launched in March 2026 and built with Gyoza. Search early and stay flexible on dates. If a points price looks high, check whether you're looking at a Classic Plus fare. What are your points worth? shows how to value any redemption.

Status: from Bronze to Platinum One

Everyone starts at Bronze. Status Credits from flying move you up, and each tier adds benefits such as lounge access, priority check-in and bonus points.

Correct as of October 2026.

Big changes start on 8 December 2026:

• You can earn up to 140 Status Credits a year without flying, across ten everyday categories. A Qantas Points-earning credit card is worth 20, and Everyday Rewards is worth 10.
• You can roll over part of your unused Status Credits into the next year: up to 100 for Silver, 350 for Gold and 500 for Platinum.
• Points Club and Green Tier close.
• From late 2027, keeping a tier takes the same credits as reaching it. Keeping Gold, for example, rises from 600 to 700.

Qantas Frequent Flyer changes from 8 December has the full detail, and Frequent flyer status explained covers how status works.

Why Qantas wants you earning on the ground

Every point you earn at Woolworths, BP or on a credit card was bought from Qantas by that partner. Selling points is a business in its own right, which is why the list of ways to earn keeps growing.

The December changes follow the same logic. Status Credits for everyday spending reward you for keeping that spending inside the Qantas world, not only for flying. Classic Plus works in a similar way: it lets Qantas offer almost any seat for points at a fixed value, while Classic seats, the better deal, stay limited.

The takeaway is simple. Earn wherever Qantas pays you to, but spend on Classic seats.

What I'd do this week

1. Join with a free-join offer.
2. Link Everyday Rewards and BP Rewards to your account.
3. Install the Qantas Wellbeing app or bookmark Qantas Shopping.
4. Pick one trip and check Classic availability in the Flight Reward Finder.
5. If you fly regularly, note your Status Credits before 8 December so you can plan around the rollover.