You’ve worked hard to build a healthy Qantas point balance, but what is the best way to spend them? This week our members share their tips and strategies to gain maximum value from your points.

Premium cabin upgrades and reward flights, especially on long-haul international flights, are some of the best value, and most popular Qantas redemptions. Although getting an award seat on a flight you want can be difficult, it’s not impossible with some forward-planning. If direct flights on Qantas are unavailable, our members suggest redeeming points to travel on a partner airline, such as Cathay Pacific. The number of points required will be slightly higher, but award availability is better and the fuel surcharges are much lower.

If you have at least 140,000 Qantas points, another recommendation is to splurge on a trip around the world! The popular Qantas Oneworld Award represents excellent value. These rewards can be used to travel around the world in Economy, Business or First class, with up to 5 stopovers and up to 16 flights in total. Plus, a Oneworld Award costs only slightly more than a simple return flight to London or New York!

When deciding on the best flights to redeem your points on, one member suggests calculating the value of the points that would be used. This member’s handy formula makes comparisons simple by placing a dollar value on each point. This is done by comparing the cost of a points redemption to the price of a regular ticket.

However you choose to spend your points, you’ll almost always get better value by using them in the air than on the ground. Using points for merchandise or gift vouchers at the Qantas store is one of the worst value ways to spend your points!

Join the discussion HERE.

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.
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