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We now know the new carrier charges that will apply to Qantas Business & First Class award bookings made from 18 September 2019 following the major Qantas Frequent Flyer changes.
Qantas promised back in June that from 18 September 2019, it would decrease carrier charges for Qantas Classic Flight Reward bookings in Premium Economy, Business and First Class. However, this was compensation for an increase in the number of points required to make a booking – a change which would also take effect on 18 September 2019.
We have known since June what the new award pricing would be, but we only now know the full extent of the reduction in carrier charges. Overall, the reductions are modest.
As an example, it previously cost 120,000 Qantas points + approximately $635 in taxes & carrier charges for a return Business class reward ticket from Sydney to Singapore. From 18 September 2019, the price will be 136,800 Qantas points + roughly $435 in taxes and carrier charges – a reduction in carrier charges of $100 each way. In this example, you would be paying an extra 16,800 points for a return booking but $200 less in carrier charges.
You can view the old and new Classic Flight Reward tables on the Qantas website.
There are also modest reductions in Premium Economy carrier charges.
While the increase in Qantas points required to book a Classic Flight Reward applies to flights on all Qantas partner airlines, the reduction in carrier charges applies only to reward flights operated by Qantas. There are no reductions to carrier charges to flights operated by Emirates or any of Qantas’ Oneworld partner airlines.
Carrier charges have also been reduced on Qantas award bookings originating overseas, however different rates apply for each point of origin.
If you had made an award booking prior to 18 September 2019, it appears that Qantas will honour the lower points price paid previously if you wish to make changes to your booking. If you call Qantas to request a change, you’ll just need to pay a 5,000-point change fee for each passenger. In return, you should also receive a refund of any difference in taxes & carrier charges.
According to AFF member and travel agent madrooster, here are the new Qantas Business & First Class carrier charges payable per one-way flight departing Australia, for Classic Flight Reward bookings made from 18 September 2019:
| Destination (from Australia) | Old charge | New charge |
| Domestic | $14 | $14 (no change) |
| New Zealand | $14 | $14 (no change) |
| Hong Kong | $98 | $55 |
| Japan/China | $180 | $105 |
| Honolulu | $185 | $120 |
| Singapore | $240 | $140 |
| Johannesburg | $250 | $160 |
| North America | $335 | $215 |
| Santiago | $335 | $215 |
| London | $540 | $350 |
You can discuss the Qantas Frequent Flyer changes on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: Qantas FF announcement 20 June – “biggest overhaul” in program history
