Best Way to Earn Qantas Points – Without Getting on a Plane

Did you know you can earn more than enough Qantas points to fly without even getting on a plane? For a long time I had no idea. Here are some of the best ways to earn Qantas Points while on the ground.

We all dream about that around the world trip, flying in first class, staying at luxurious resorts and eating at the best restaurants.

What we don’t dream about is the price tag to go along with it. Unless we win the lottery this trip will probably stay a dream.

Learning how to earn frequent flyer points on everyday spending can get you out of economy and into business, and perhaps even that elusive first class seat.

Here are some ways to earn Qantas points without getting on a plane

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Credit Cards

The number one way to earn points is through credit cards. Not just using credit cards though. The most points will be earned through sign-up bonuses that the cards offer from time to time.

If you are really trying to maximise your points, keep your eyes open for deals to entice you to sign up for a new card.

Often the annual fee will be waived for the first year, but if it is not then it’s important to weigh up the cost against not only the sign-up points but include the other things the card offers.

For example, the card may have an annual fee of $400AUD, but it comes with 50,000 bonus points, a return domestic flight, some lounge passes and travel insurance. The fee pays for itself.

Be aware also that Amex will often give you more sign up points if you use as referral link given to you by a friend.

Usually, the friend benefits too, so it’s win-win for you both, an incentive once you have signed up to share with more friends as a way to earn even more points.

While sign up bonuses can give you big chunks of points quickly, using your credit card for the correct purchases can also make a big difference.

It is likely you will need two or three cards to maximise your points. Some will earn better at supermarkets, some when booking flights, and others at restaurants.

In general, Amex will earn more points, but a MasterCard or Visa will be accepted in more places. Some cards will earn more on overseas spending and airline purchases.

Be aware that B-Pay won’t earn points, so find other ways to pay, and often payments to utilities and government agencies may not earn points on some cards.

It’s a matter of getting the right balance of cards to suit your lifestyle and spending habits.

Note – If you do not pay your credit card off in full each month, using a credit card is not worth it. The interest you pay will cost you more than it would cost to buy the flights outright. If you cannot be strict on that, don’t get a credit card.

Grocery Shopping

We all have to buy groceries, and by shopping at Woolworths and using your Woolworths Rewards card you can earn Qantas frequent flyer points.

The way the system is at the moment, it will take quite a bit of ordinary shopping to earn enough points for a flight, but as with credit cards, it’s important to look out for bonus deals.

Sign up for the newsletter, and take notice when it arrives to see if there are any deals you can use. Often you will need to register for the deal before you shop.

Remember too that you can double dip by using your credit card to buy the groceries, earning points on both your credit card and Woolworths Rewards card.

Shopping Online

Qantas has an online shopping portal that will pay you points for clicking through to their preferred suppliers.

The list is long, but includes some big name retailers like David Jones, eBay, The Iconic, Apple, iTunes, Priceline Pharmacy and so many more.

The amount of points you earn varies, and you have to ensure you click through from the Qantas site before your purchase.

Again, use your points-earning credit card for your purchase to earn even more points.

And Even More Retailers

Qantas has several partnerships directly with other retailers where you can earn (and sometimes use) points.

If you are shopping with any of these, make sure you add your frequent flyer number to your order

• Hello Fresh
• YouFoodz
• Hoyts
• Zip
• Kogan
• Kayo Sports
• Binge

Travel Partners

Accommodation, car hire, holiday packages and more can be booked through the Qantas website to earn points.

If you are booking with any of these brands, you can earn Qantas points

• Qantas’ own hotel and holiday portal
• Avis
• Budget
• Uber
• Accor
• Apollo
• AirBnb
• Trip-a-Deal
• Globus
• Mad Paws
• …and other similar businesses

Always compare prices to ensure they are competitive, and keep an eye out for deals that may include bonus points or extra discounts.

Fuel

Qantas has partnered with BP through their BP Rewards program to earn points on fuel and more.

Make sure you keep an eye out for their emails because this is another one where activating the bonus deals makes a big difference to the number of points you can earn.

Insurance

Qantas has its own health insurance called Qantas Assure. Not only can you earn points for signing up for it, there are ongoing earning opportunities through the Qantas Wellbeing app for keeping healthy.

So you can earn points just by walking! It’s worth getting the emails and app because every now and then they have an offer where they will give you some points even if you haven’t signed up for the insurance.

Easy points in my opinion.

Qantas also partners with other companies to give you points on life insurance and travel insurance.

As always, look into the details of the insurance before you buy to see if it suits you and your situation.

Phone & Other Utilities

In the past, Qantas has partnered with phone companies but currently they do not have any opportunities there.

They do for gas and electricity through Red Energy though. Regularly there is a nice sign-up bonus and then ongoing points can be earned with each bill.

That’s one upside to receiving yet another insanely high power bill!

Be careful though, if you don’t pay by the due date, you don’t get the points.

Banking

Qantas now offers home loans that can earn you a nice wad of frequent flier points. As can a car loan or a personal loan. There are even investment products available to boost your points.

Of course, you need to read the terms carefully and decide if the points are worth any uncompetitive rates and fees, but if they are, this could be another simple way to earn that business class flight.

Wine

If you are a regular wine drinker, join up with Qantas epiQure for fantastic wine deals delivered to your door.

Not only do they have some great special offers, they also regularly have bonus deals that can be a good little points earner.

This is one of the best ways to earn some points if you need them in a hurry.

Qantas Cash

Your Qantas membership card also works as a cash card, either within Australia or overseas.

This is a good option to use instead of a credit card if you don’t have one. You won’t earn as many points, but you do earn some.

If you are using it overseas, be sure you are happy with the conversion rates and fees before you go.

And There’s More

Yes, seriously, there are even more earning opportunities!

Qantas is also regularly adding more ways to earn points. Head on over to the Qantas Points website to read all about these and other ways to earn points.

But what if you don’t fly with Qantas?

While I have specifically talked about Qantas here, many of these methods are similar between the airlines. Look at your program’s website, and see what ways you can earn.

I have flown business class on Emirates thanks to my Qantas points. See my review of my first ever business class flight here.

While I didn’t use Qantas points, I was able to fly Suites Class on Singapore Airlines thanks to frequent flyer points. Here’s my post about that flight.

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