Best ways to use 100,000 Qantas Points

So, you’ve amassed 100,000 Qantas Points, and now comes the best part – working out how best to use them.

From reward seats to upgrades, train journeys and even accommodation, a pile of Qantas Points is your ticket to an aspirational experience. Let’s dig in.

Using 100,000 Qantas Points for flights

When it comes to the Qantas Frequent Flyer loyalty program, using your points directly for flights is generally the best way to use Qantas Points to their full potential.

To do this, you’ll need to look out for Classic Flight Rewards – airfares that are redeemed with a fixed number of Qantas Points. This redemption type is available across Qantas and a range of airline partners, typically offering far greater value than the trap of Points Plus Pay.

Since we’re all about dreaming big, we’ve included selected aspirational redemptions that require slightly more than 100,000 Qantas Points.

Disclaimer: The pricing shown for flights in this section is displayed in Qantas Points only – taxes, fees, and carrier charges may be levied separately.

Perth to Rome in Qantas Dreamliner business (108,400 Qantas Points one way)

At the top of our list is a chance to experience ‘La Dolce Vita’, flying Qantas’ seasonal service from Sydney to Rome, via Perth.

Start your journey in Perth and you’ll pay just 108,400 Qantas Points for a one way flight in business class, excluding applicable carrier charges.

The Red Roo’s non-stop flight from Australia to Italy is currently the only direct flight between Australia and continental Europe offered by any airline, so this route is a win for local travellers to know about.

The Qantas Dreamliner currently plies this route, offering an evening ‘wheels-up’ departure from Perth.

Savvy frequent flyers will enjoy Qantas’ fully lie-flat international business class suite while grazing on a Neil Perry inspired dining menu, before arriving into Rome fresh for the following morning.

Since Classic Flight Rewards on this popular route are notoriously difficult to come by, this redemption makes for an excellent way to use 100,000 Qantas Points (plus a few more) if you are lucky enough to snatch up a seat.

Melbourne to Singapore in Emirates first (107,700 Qantas Points one way)

Emirates first class is flashy, fancy, and undoubtedly one of the most aspirational cabins in the sky.

And, whether you love it or hate it, the ability to redeem Qantas Points for this experience through the airline’s tie up with Emirates is a huge benefit.

Since the Emirates Boeing 777 currently operates this service, there’s no A380 bar or in-flight shower on offer.

But that hardly matters when first class passengers can experience almost eight hours in a gloriously private suite whilst enjoying next level dining, bottomless Dom Perignon Champagne (Plenitude 2 anyone?) and a range of pre-departure perks.

There’s one catch to be aware of, though: Emirates has significantly increased the carrier surcharges payable on redemptions, raising them to eye-watering levels on flights ex Australian cities.

With this in mind, be prepared to fork out significantly for the privilege of flying Emirates first class from Melbourne. Fly the other direction, from Singapore to Melbourne, however, and only modest taxes apply.

Hong Kong to Helsinki in Finnair business (90,000 Qantas Points one way)

Qantas partner airline and oneworld member, Finnair, doesn’t fly directly to Australia – but it’s still possible to redeem long haul flights on this carrier across popular global routes.

Finnair’s 14-hour flight from Hong Kong to Helsinki is a case in point here, providing an opportunity for Qantas Frequent Flyers to experience business class onboard the A350 for just 90,000 Qantas Points (excluding carrier charges).

Onboard, expect an authentic Nordic experience with all the trimmings.

This includes a bespoke Marimekko amenity kit, and even a chance to sample Reindeer onboard. Flying from Helsinki? You can even expect to take in a visit to the in-lounge sauna before departure!

Melbourne or Sydney to Tokyo in Japan Airlines business (90,000 Qantas Points one way)

Oneworld member, Japan Airlines (JAL) offers regular services from both Sydney and Melbourne into Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita airports.

For just 90,000 Qantas Points (excluding carrier charges), it’s possible to fly one way in business class on JAL’s Shell Flat Neo or Sky Suites product.

Renowned for superior onboard dining via their ‘BEDD’ offering, Japan Airlines business class boasts a comfortable and private business seat, complete with high-end amenities and exceptional service.

Australian cities to USA in Qantas business (108,400 Qantas Points one way)

Long-haul flights in business class onboard the Qantas Airbus A380 and 787 are long considered to be amongst the best uses of 100,000 Qantas Points, and these routes are certainly no exception.

Just 108,400 Qantas Points (plus applicable carrier charges) is your ticket to fly one way from Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney to LAX or San Francisco in the comfort of Qantas international grade business class.

Australian cities to USA in Qantas economy (83,800 Qantas Points return)

Not so fussed on flying to the USA cities we’ve covered above in a premium cabin?

For well under 100,000 Qantas Points (excluding carrier charges), it’s possible to nab a return economy flight on the same routes, with plenty of points to spare for your next redemption.

For an additional points cost, consider tacking on an American Airlines domestic flight to other destinations in the USA, such as New York.

Sydney to Singapore in Qantas premium economy (102,600 Qantas Points return)

Just over 100,000 Qantas Points will score you a comfortable return trip in Qantas premium economy to Singapore, excluding carrier charges.

Qantas premium economy offers a range of features to elevate your travel experience. While there’s no lounge access granted for this cabin (you’ll need elite status or Qantas Club membership to enter), the trip starts with a dedicated check-in counter and a priority boarding lane.

Onboard, the Qantas premium economy ultra-long haul product offers extra legroom and wider seats, located in an intimate cabin of between 32 and 40 passengers.

Travellers can expect to be offered complimentary sparkling wine, cocktail, or juice at the gate. During the flight, there’s a chance to enjoy a range of dishes designed by Neil Perry, served up on quality David Caon tableware.

Sydney to Singapore in Qantas first (102,600 Qantas Points one way)

When it comes to using Qantas Points, first class flying offers an unparalleled experience.

With this in mind, why not trade in return premium economy flights to Singapore for a chance to experience a one way flight in Qantas’ flagship first class instead?

The Qantas first class product operates exclusively on the A380 aircraft. We think the eight hour flight between Sydney and Singapore offers an excellent opportunity to test this luxurious experience out.

Start your journey in Sydney and enjoy a pre-flight visit to the Qantas First Lounge, complete with bottomless Champagne, Neil Perry dining and even a private spa treatment.

Once onboard, pampered first class travellers can sit back and enjoy a private suite with plush bedding, decadent dining options and the very best of Qantas service.

Sydney – Santiago in Qantas economy (83,800 Qantas Points return)

Is South America calling? For well under 100,000 Qantas Points, it’s possible to lock in a trip to Santiago, Chile. Just 83,800 Qantas Points is needed here for return economy flights, excluding applicable carrier charges.

Sydney, Melbourne Brisbane to Perth in Qantas A330 business (83,00 Qantas Points return)

When it comes to domestic redemptions, using your Qantas Points in the best way involves strategically selecting the best aircraft possible.

Opting for domestic flights with international-grade Airbus A330 seats (as opposed to the less aspirational Boeing 737) will make for a more comfortable business-class redemption.

Selected flights between Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne and Perth are serviced by Qantas’ A330 aircraft. Opting for a return business class flights here comes in at just 83,000 Qantas Points, excluding carrier charges.

When searching for award space on these flights, pay careful attention to the aircraft details on the Qantas website, making sure that you opt for a flight serviced by the A330 over the inferior Boeing 737. You should also be aware that aircraft changes can occur for operational reasons.

Fly between Australian and New Zealand cities in Qantas A330 business (83,000 Qantas Points return)

In the same way, it’s also possible to lock in a return business class redemption onboard the Qantas A330 for well under 100,000 Qantas Points, leaving 17,000 points to spare for your next adventure.

Melbourne Dubai in Emirates economy (100,600 Qantas Points return)

Thanks to a longstanding partnership with Emirates, members of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program can lock in a return economy trip onboard the Emirates A380 with just over 100,000 Qantas Points.

The Emirates international economy product is widely considered one of the best in the sky, offering comfortable seats with above-average size, extensive entertainment options and approachable service.

Bear in mind that the carrier surcharges levied by Emirates are particularly high for economy class. At the time of writing, the charges levied for this redemption come in at $323 AUD one way (or around $646 AUD return).

With this in mind, you’ll need to number crunch the benefits of using just over 100,000 Qantas Points for this ticket plus over $600 is a better option than paying for a ticket outright.

12 Zone One domestic economy flights (96,000 Qantas Points)

It’s possible to use 100,000 Qantas Points on multiple domestic trips if you’re planning to jet around the country.

Zone One domestic economy flights cost just 8,000 Qantas Points each way (excluding taxes/carrier charges), which means you could take up to 12 flights with 100,000 points. Happy to fly Jetstar? You’ll pay just 6,400 Qantas Points per Zone One sector, allowing you to unlock a total of 15 flights!

The following table outlines a range of popular routes flown by Qantas that fall into Zone One:

Sydney to Lord Howe Island is a particularly desirable route that deserves to be highlighted here, as the value on offer is quite special.

Qantas has a monopoly on this route, so flights are priced quite high, with flex fares usually costing no less than $773 AUD at the time of writing.

Even though Sydney to Lord Howe Island is a pricey flight, distance-wise it still fits into the Zone One chart, meaning it costs 8,000 Qantas Points regardless of the fluctuations in airfare pricing.

Using 100,000 Qantas Points for upgrades

Upgrading Qantas flights, particularly on international routes, generally offers a great way to use Qantas Points. However, it is important to note that while upgrades don’t attract separate carrier fees/surcharges, they also don’t come with any guarantees.

Qantas upgrade rewards are usually in high demand. As such, they are awarded based on a range of criteria, including a traveller’s Qantas Frequent Flyer membership tier and booking pecking order. As a result, unless you hold Qantas Chairman’s or Platinum One membership, there’s no way to be sure you’ll get an upgrade if you request it.

When considering redeeming Qantas points for an upgrade, the Qantas Points Calculator is a good place to start.

Upgrade to business on up to 18 Zone One domestic flights

It is entirely possible to save your 100,000 Qantas Points for up to 18 upgrades to business class. And it’s worth knowing that domestic upgrades are usually easier to nab when compared to international long haul routes. Here’s the number of upgrades you can expect from 100,000 Qantas Points based on your initial fare bucket:

• Upgrading flexible economy to business costs 5,400 Qantas Points (18 upgrades)
• Upgrading discount economy to business costs 10,900 points per flight (nine upgrades)

Upgrade to business on up to 9 longer domestic and trans-Tasman flights

Upgrades on longer domestic and trans-Tasman flights cost a little more, and it’s well worth looking out for flights services by the A330 here. With a stash of 100,000 Qantas Points, you can expect to achieve the following number of upgrades:

• Upgrades from flexible economy cost 10,900 Qantas Points (nine upgrades)
• Upgrades from discount economy cost 27,200 Qantas Points (three upgrades)

Upgrading to business on international flights upgrades

The following table outlines the number of Qantas Points needed to upgrade on selected popular long-haul routes:

Best ways to use 100,000 Qantas Points on the ground

Not getting up in the air much these days? From luxury rail journeys to goods at Qantas Marketplace, indulging in a good drop and even staying at Qantas Hotels, there are many ways to use your Qantas Points on the ground.

Before we dig in, it’s important to note that compared to Classic Flight Rewards, most redemptions on the ground typically won’t offer as much value.

Adelaide – Sydney in Indian Pacific gold class (100,000 Qantas Points)

Several years back, Qantas Frequent Flyer launched a new partnership with Journey Beyond, unlocking the ability to earn and use points on rail journeys across The Ghan, Indian Pacific and the Great Southern.

There are nine different routing and accommodation combinations available to redeem across the three rail products.

Pricing is very reasonable – just 100,000 Qantas Points will score you two days and one night travelling from Adelaide to Sydney or vice versa in a private Gold Single cabin on the Indian Pacific.

Beyond the ability to stretch a redemption to several days and to enjoy multiple meals, there are no taxes, fees or surcharges to pay in addition to Qantas Points. Simply select to pay with points from the Journey Beyond website, and they are deducted from your Qantas Frequent Flyer account – easy.

For more information on this redemption, check out our comprehensive guide to booking a Classic Rail Reward.

Redeeming accommodation with Qantas Hotels

Qantas Hotels is an accommodation booking portal that brings together over 200,000 properties globally.

Unlike other booking portals, hotels can be paid for with either points or cash, giving you the benefit of being able to redeem or earn Qantas Points on your accommodation. There are two ways to redeem Qantas Points for accommodation via Qantas Hotels – Qantas Classic Hotel Rewards, and Points Plus Pay.

The following two examples highlight the value on offer with Points Plus Pay:

One night Cinnamon Dhonveli – Maldives (98,961 Qantas Points)

Fancy a superior room with ocean views at one of the world’s best bucket list locations? While we wouldn’t usually recommend burning so many points on a one night stay, It’s possible to use just under 100,000 Qantas Points for the night of a lifetime (with an additional fee levied of around $270 AUD).

This room ordinarily costs $1,137 AUD per night (for the night of 21 March 2024), which means 100 points is worth about $1.15 – not the best value, especially considering you’re looking at hundreds of dollars of fees on top.

Two nights Azabu Retreat and Spa – Byron Bay (102,537 Qantas Points)

Alternatively, for just over 100,000 Qantas Points you can enjoy two nights in Australia’s very own natural paradise.

A queen spa room for 21-23 March 2024 would ordinarily cost $900, meaning you’re getting 90 cents value per 100 Qantas Points.

Redeeming 100,000 Qantas Points for gift cards

Qantas Points can be redeemed for gift cards and experience vouchers with countless retailers from BCF to Country Road via Qantas Marketplace.

While you can redeem points for high value goods with gift cards (think JB Hi-Fi), it’s important to note that the value on offer here for Qantas Points is typically quite poor.

However, there’s no denying that using 100,000 Qantas Points for gift cards is a convenient redemption that can make sense in some circumstances. With that in mind, we’ve highlighted a range of options, below:

$500 Airbnb gift card (101,520 Qantas Points)

When you consider it costs fewer points than this to book a Maldives stay worth over $1,000, it’s obvious the value on offer is very low. You’d only be extracting .49 cents value per 100 Qantas Points here, which would almost always be a poor use of points.

$500 David Jones gift card (99,840 Qantas Points)

While a department store gift card can be spent in several ways, including for everyday purchases, you’d still only be getting 50 cents value per 100 Qantas Points here.

Using 100,000 Qantas Points to purchase goods

Qantas Frequent Flyers can choose to redeem points on over 20,000 products across 900 brands at Qantas Marketplace.

From electronics to appliances, homewares and luggage (and more) it’s entirely possible (but not necessarily wise) to use Qantas Points to purchase gifts for anyone. Here are a few examples of redemptions that are possible at the time of writing:

Apple iPad 10.2 inch 64GB (100,550 Qantas Points)

Priced at $549 on Qantas Marketplace, this purchase would only see a value of 55 cents per 100 Qantas Frequent Flyer Points realised. The value could be even lower here if it was possible to purchase an iPad at a different retailer on sale.

Breville The Smart Oven Air Fryer (109,400 Qantas Points)

Is the humble airfryer the new toaster of the Qantas redemptions world? We think so!

This appliance costs $629 on Qantas Marketplace, meaning you’ll be getting about 57 cents value per 100 Qantas Points used – nowhere near as much value as we see with flight redemptions.

Using 100,000 Qantas Points to wine and dine

Whether it’s indulging in a good drop, heading out for a bite to eat or simply completing the daily commute, it’s possible to redeem 100,000 Qantas Points to cover some of the cost. Of course, you’ll need to be over 18 years of age to redeem Qantas Points for alcohol.

Using 100,000 Qantas Points at Qantas Wine

Formerly known as Qantas epiQure, Qantas Wine offers the ability to use Qantas Points for wine, beer and spirits.

6 x Pommery Brut Rose Champagne NV (99,180 Qantas Points)

The cost of these six bottles on Qantas Wine is $570, meaning you’re only getting 57 cents value per 100 Qantas Points used, which pales in comparison to more aspirational flight redemption opportunities.

Using 100,000 Qantas Points for fuel purchases

Qantas Frequent Flyer and BP have expanded their partnership by allowing members to use Qantas Points to pay for fuel at participating BP service stations.

Reward Code technology allows frequent flyers to cover the rising cost of fuel and eligible purchases over $10 with a minimum of 1900 Qantas Points.

As such, you’d be getting 53 cent value per 100 Qantas Points here, which again, isn’t outstanding value.

Redeeming 100,000 Qantas Points: Digging into the detail

Choosing how you use 100,000 Qantas Points makes all the difference. The most obvious (and best) way to use Qantas Points is by redeeming them for Classic Flight Rewards.

The most aspirational use of 100,000 Qantas Points will usually be found on business or first class Classic Flight Rewards, which is typically where you’ll extract the most value from your points.

How much are Qantas Points worth?

The value of Qantas Points depends entirely on how you redeem them. As we’ve highlighted in this post, you will get much higher value redeeming your points for a first class or business class flight than you will for purchasing goods.

The table below outlines the average dollar value across a range of redemption options:

Using the Qantas calculator to maximise redemption strategies

Qantas offers a range of calculators, designed to help travellers calculate the number of points needed to redeem a Classic Flight Reward, or to request an upgrade.

There are three calculators to help members of Qantas Frequent Flyer to plan how to better earn and use hard-earned points:

• Earning Points and Status Credits Calculator
• Using Points for Classic Flight Rewards Calculator
• Classic Upgrade Reward Calculator

The ‘Using Points for Classic Flight Rewards’ calculator details the number of Qantas Points needed to redeem a reward seat (excluding any applicable taxes and fees). This can be helpful when planning redemption goals:

The ‘Classic Upgrade Reward’ calculator is where you can work out the number of Qantas Points required to upgrade to a higher fare class:

Cancelling or changing Qantas Classic Flight Rewards

One of the best things about using Qantas Points to lock in a Classic Flight Reward is that you can change your mind for a very small fee.

If your Classic Flight Reward booking is departing more than 24 hours away, you can make changes or cancel your booking from within ‘manage my booking’ on the Qantas website or by calling Qantas on 13 13 13 from Australia.

Note that Qantas charges a small fee of 6,000 Qantas Points for each booking cancelled with more than 24 hours notice.

This effectively takes the pressure off committing to a Classic Flight Reward booking almost one year from the flight, as you’ll never be charged the full fare if your plans change.

You can find more information on the airline’s Flexible Classic Flight Rewards and Help and Support pages.

Best ways to earn 100,000 Qantas Points – Handy hacks

Whether you’re earning rewards points by buying groceries, shopping online, paying with a Qantas-linked credit card, dining out, or flying for business or leisure, you should be earning Qantas Points just about every day.

With virtually hundreds of ways to earn your way to 100,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer Points – many of which you can find on the ground – knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.

Here’s a brief list of some of the easiest ways to earn Qantas Points:

• flying with Qantas, oneworld or partner airlines
• Signing up for a Qantas Points-earning credit card, to unlock a sign up bonus and ongoing Qantas Points earn on everyday purchases. Note that you’ll typically need to meet eligible spend and other criteria, and you may be levied an annual fee
• shopping (via Qantas Shopping or Qantas Marketplace)
• fuel purchases with BP Rewards
• food, wine and dining (Qantas Wine)
• joining Woolworths Everyday Rewards and scan your rewards card
• Looking into a policy with Qantas Insurance (check that this meets your needs)
• health and wellness (via the Qantas Wellbeing App)
• business travel (use your ABN to join Qantas Business Rewards)
• ground travel (such as car hire providers and Journey Beyond rail travel)
• hotels and accommodation
• paying your utility bills
• transfers from a family member

Lost your Qantas Points after failing to earn or use one Qantas Point in any 18 month period? There are also ways to recover expired Qantas Points with the Qantas Points Challenge.

Bear in mind that you’ll need a Frequent Flyer account if you want to earn Qantas Points. Qantas charges $99.50 for the privilege, but there are a few ways you can join for free.

Should I buy 100,000 Qantas Points?

When it comes to growing a Qantas Frequent Flyer points balance, purchasing Qantas top-up Points outright via qantas.com is almost always a bad idea. Let’s consider why.

At the time of writing, top-up purchases start at $56 AUD for 1,000 Qantas Points, up to $3,999 AUD for the maximum 150,000 Qantas Points.

A purchase of 1,000 Qantas Points requires an outlay of a whopping 5.6 cents per point while purchasing the maximum 150,000 Qantas Points results in a purchase price of 2.66 cents per point – less than half the cost.

If you’ve decided that purchasing top-up Qantas Points meets your needs, it’s an easy process that you can learn more about.

Summing up

There you have it. From flying first class to journeying across the country on a luxury rail adventure or indulging in dining, there’s a way for just about anyone to make the best use of 100,000 Qantas Points.

When looking for a way to maximise value, always keep in mind that not all redemptions are created equal.

You’ll almost always come out on top with first and business flight redemptions, as opposed to burning them on goods from Qantas Marketplace.

That said, like anything, the best redemption comes down to individual preferences. Our advice is to do some quick conversions to calculate the value of your points in any redemption opportunity you are considering.

Looking for cheaper redemption options? We’re also rounded up the best uses of 50,000 Qantas Points. You can also discover the best ways to spend Velocity Points here.

How would you use 100,000 Qantas Points?

FAQ: Best ways to use 100,000 Qantas Points

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