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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Great tips 🙂
Thank you.
Ooh I didn’t know about the Airbnb thing! I do otherwise similar stuff with Velocity (Virgin) points and Coles etc etc but I probably should be on the look out for Qantas stuff too – the Airbnb thing is a bonus – thank you!
To be honest, I also shop at Coles and get Velocity points 🙂 If you only collect those, jump onto the website and have a good read – there are so many opportunities there too. In fact their online mall is much more extensive. Also buying fuel at BP is another way to earn Velocity points.
Great tips. We can directly relate to this as we have been doing this for years with Qantas. The points really stack up especially if you are able to put most of your spending on a card (and pay if off each month) and sign up for the new cards with bonus points. It really does work. Over the last 5 years we have done 2 around the world flights with multiple stops each and one of the around the world trips was in Business Class the whole trip. We are mad point collectors and have enough again to do another world trip in Business.
Were those around the world trips Oneworld awards? They provide brilliant value in my opinion. I have done one, taking my family of four. I love this points “game”. It has allowed me to travel so much more and in comfort too. Early in our current trip we did a long haul economy trip (12 hours) and I swore never again! Anything over about eight hours I will find a way to get business seats 🙂
Great tips! I have my shopping cards all linked up – would be great to get some free flights! Especially as I am in Mackay and the only quick way out is to fly lol!
Yes, I don’t think I’d want to drive to, well, almost anywhere from Mackay, it’s so far. Lovely part of the world though! I hope you can use some of these tips to boost your points.
these are wonderful points 😀 Will keep in mind 🙂
Thank you! Good luck with earning your points.
Great advice. I am ALWAYS looking to up those points. Thanks for the amazing suggestions!
Thanks Suzie. I hope you get to fly soon 🙂
Great tips! I love keeping track of special offers on my credit card to save extra points. Amex is really good for that!
Thanks Rianne. Unfortunately the Australian Government has made some changes that – to cut a long story short – means the earning potential of Amex cards has been diminished. Hopefully the retailers/banks/Amex between them come up with some new options.
Great ideas!
Thanks Lynn
I love all the suggestions for points! I see a free trip coming up!
Thank you! Good luck with the free trip, it’s such a buzz when you get enough points to make it happen.
I had no idea Airbnb partnered with cards. Going to look into it for mine. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks Meghan. Hopefully they partner with your airline too!
Handy guide, thanks. I do this for British Airways, they have a shopping portal you can go through to collect points online- think I’ve earned more that way than flying!
I have definitely earned more points through shopping than flying! Taking advantage of these other ways to earn points gets you those free flights so much quicker.
Excellent post!
Uber now have a deal with Qantas where you can earn points on trips from airport. Was really glad to read about that AFTER taking one from Melbs airport to my house, haha.
Hahaha, yes, I saw that too not long ago and got excited for a minute – until I realised it’s only on Uber rides to/from Australian airports. I could be raking in the points as I travel if it was worldwide.
Haha, you’ll just have to jump on it as soon as you get back home!
If you are going to spend money you might as well get some points out of it!
Exactly 🙂