Qantas refund: What happens if I paid for my flight with points?

Qantas customers around the country are breathing a sigh of relief after the airline announced it’ll refund cancelled flights.
But what happens if you paid for your flight using Qantas Frequent Flyer Points?
Well, you are entitled to this same refund, it just works a little differently.
For cancellations on or before October 31, 2020
Customers that have a Classic Flight Reward booking (meaning you paid with Qantas Points) can cancel their trip and receive a full refund of Qantas Points used. You will also be reimbursed for any taxes, fees and carrier charges.
Qantas will also waive the cancellation fee, just as long as passengers cancel their flight before October 31 this year.
Bear in mind, this fee waiver applies to bookings that are Classic Flight Rewards only. If your itinerary is a combination of a Classic Flight Reward and a non-Classic Flight Rewards fare, the fee is not waived.
For additional information on Classic Flight Rewards conditions, head to the Qantas website.
For cancellations after October 31, 2020
If you opt to wait and cancel your flight after October 31, you’ll have to adhere to Qantas’ standard fare rules.
While the total Qantas Points used along with any taxes, fees and carrier charges will be refunded, Qantas may slap you with some cancellation charges.
On the other hand, if it is Qantas that cancels your flight (and not you), you won’t face these fees.
Is it still worth using points for flights in 2020?
There’s no doubt that redeeming points for flights is a savvy way to get value for your earnings. But with minimal flights operating at the moment, 2020 may not be the right time to redeem.
Instead, you could turn your attention into making the rest of this year all about accumulating points so you can use them down the track.
“The truth is that international travel isn’t around the corner for Aussies, so redeeming points for flights doesn’t really make sense at the moment,” Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont said.
“But for those credit card customers that earn rewards points for their everyday spending, and pay down their balance month-on-month, keeping up that habit is a great way to plump up your points stash for later on.”
RELATED ARTICLE: Credit card rewards: Why now could be time to rack up points
Looking to plump up your frequent flyer points stash for when international travel returns? Check out these great rewards credit card options below or jump over to our comparison tool!
Rewards Credit Cards 2020 - last updated 4 July 2025
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Apply By 13 Jan 2026
American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$450
90,000
1.25 points up to 100,000 points/year, then
1 point uncappedEarn up to 90,000 bonus Qantas Points - that’s 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 13 January 2026, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months. Plus, an additional 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend min $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card fee. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only.
CompareCompareQantas Ultimate Card
Earn up to 90,000 bonus Qantas Points - that’s 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 13 January 2026, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months. Plus, an additional 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend min $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card fee. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $450
- Bonus points
- 90,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1.25 points up to 100,000 points/year, then
1 point uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- Up to 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1.25 points per dollar on Amex, up to 100000 points per year, then
1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 90,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
- Rewards Bonus Points
- 1.25 points per dollar on everyday purchases. Earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spend on selected Qantas products and services.Exclusions apply. After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Points per $1 spent.*
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Apply By 27 Jan 2026
American Express Essential® Rewards Credit Card
Membership Rewards
$108
40,000
1 point uncapped
Receive 40,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points when you apply online by 27 January 2026, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Essential® Rewards Credit Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
CompareCompareEssential® Rewards Credit Card
Receive 40,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points when you apply online by 27 January 2026, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Essential® Rewards Credit Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Membership Rewards
- Annual fee
- $108
- Bonus points
- 40,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1 point uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- Up to 55
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 40,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 11800.0
- Sydney to London
- 320000.0
- $100 Gift card
- 25000.0
- Card Benefits
- Extended Warranty,
Account alerts by SMS
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Earn up to 5 points per $1 spent on eligible eat and drinks purchases, up to 3 points per $1 spent on selected streaming subscriptions, up to 2 points per $1 spent at selected major retailers.
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-
Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard
flybuys
$0
No current offer
0.5 points up to $5,000/month
No annual fee for the life of the card plus collect 1 Flybuys point per $2 on eligible purchases up to $5,000 in each Statement Period (T&Cs apply). Get access to complimentary travel insurance. Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay compatible. Up to 44 days interest free on purchases when you pay your account in full by the monthly due date.
CompareCompareNo Annual Fee Mastercard
No annual fee for the life of the card plus collect 1 Flybuys point per $2 on eligible purchases up to $5,000 in each Statement Period (T&Cs apply). Get access to complimentary travel insurance. Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay compatible. Up to 44 days interest free on purchases when you pay your account in full by the monthly due date.
- Rewards program
- flybuys
- Annual fee
- $0
- Bonus points
- No current offer
- Earn rate per $1
- 0.5 points up to $5,000/month
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.74% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- 20.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- Up to 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 0.5 points per dollar on Mastercard, up to $5,000 per month
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- No current offer
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 11800.0
- Sydney to London
- 320000.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20000.0
- Card Benefits
- -
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Earn an additional 1 point per dollar spent at Coles and other Flybuys partners when your card is scanned.
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-
Apply By 12 Aug 2025
American Express Velocity Platinum Card
Velocity Frequent Flyer
$440
60,000
1.25 points uncapped
Receive 60,000 bonus Velocity Points1 when you apply online by 12 August 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Platinum Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
CompareCompareVelocity Platinum Card
Receive 60,000 bonus Velocity Points1 when you apply online by 12 August 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Platinum Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Velocity Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $440
- Bonus points
- 60,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1.25 points uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- Up to 55
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1.25 points per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 60,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 5900.0
- Sydney to London
- 160000.0
- $100 Gift card
- 21278.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Travel Inconvenience Cover (T&Cs apply, see 'Other restrictions')
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Earn 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spend on selected Virgin Australia products and services.
Read reviews and learn more about rewards credit cards
-
Apply By 9 Sep 2025
American Express Velocity Escape Plus Card
Velocity Frequent Flyer
$95
20,000
1 point up to 12,000 points/year, then
0.75 points uncappedReceive 20,000 bonus Velocity Points1 when you apply online by 9 September 2025, are approved, and spend $1,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Escape Plus Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
CompareCompareVelocity Escape Plus Card
Receive 20,000 bonus Velocity Points1 when you apply online by 9 September 2025, are approved, and spend $1,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Escape Plus Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Velocity Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $95
- Bonus points
- 20,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1 point up to 12,000 points/year, then
0.75 points uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- Up to 55
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Amex, up to 12000 points per year, then
0.75 points per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 20,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 5900.0
- Sydney to London
- 160000.0
- $100 Gift card
- 21278.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Travel Insurance (T&Cs apply, see 'Other restrictions')
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Earn 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 1.75 Velocity Points per $1 spend on selected Virgin Australia products and services.
Read reviews and learn more about rewards credit cards
-
Apply By 2 Dec 2025
American Express Explorer® Credit Card
Membership Rewards
$395
100,000
2 points uncapped
Receive 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points when you apply online by 2 December 2025, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Explorer® Credit Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
CompareCompareExplorer® Credit Card
Receive 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points when you apply online by 2 December 2025, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Explorer® Credit Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Membership Rewards
- Annual fee
- $395
- Bonus points
- 100,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 2 points uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- Up to 55
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 2 points per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 100,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 11800.0
- Sydney to London
- 320000.0
- $100 Gift card
- 25000.0
- Card Benefits
- Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Earn 1 points per $1 spent at government bodies.
Read reviews and learn more about rewards credit cards
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