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 9 August 2022
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American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$450100,0001.25 points uncappedEarn up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points (75,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 23 August 2022, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months, plus an additional 25,000 Qantas Points in your second year upon fee renewal). T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
CompareCompareQantas Ultimate Card
Earn up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points (75,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 23 August 2022, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months, plus an additional 25,000 Qantas Points in your second year upon fee renewal). T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $450
- Bonus points
- 100,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1.25 points uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.74% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1.25 points per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 100,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 19010.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Ultimate Card
-
Apply By 31 Dec 2022
Westpac Altitude Platinum
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$200 $99 in the first year70,0000.5 points up to $100,000/yearEarn up to 70,000 bonus Qantas Points ($4k min. spend in the first 90 days on eligible purchases). 0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers requested at card application. 1% BT fee applies. $49 First Year Annual fee and Rewards fee. New cards only. T&C's and exclusions apply.
CompareCompareAltitude Platinum
Earn up to 70,000 bonus Qantas Points ($4k min. spend in the first 90 days on eligible purchases). 0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers requested at card application. 1% BT fee applies. $49 First Year Annual fee and Rewards fee. New cards only. T&C's and exclusions apply.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $200 $99 in the first year
- Bonus points
- 70,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 0.5 points up to $100,000/year
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 19.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 24 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.49% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 45
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 0.5 points per dollar on Mastercard, up to $100,000 per year
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 70,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 19010.0
- Card Benefits
- Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Altitude Platinum
-
Apply By 31 Aug 2022
American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Membership Rewards$19530,0001 point uncappedReceive a $200 credit on your Card when you spend $200 or more at Amazon.com.au within the first 3 months plus get 30,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online by 31 August 2022, are approved and spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
CompareComparePlatinum Edge Credit Card
Receive a $200 credit on your Card when you spend $200 or more at Amazon.com.au within the first 3 months plus get 30,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online by 31 August 2022, are approved and spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Membership Rewards
- Annual fee
- $195
- Bonus points
- 30,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1 point uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.74% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 30,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- N/A
- Sydney to London
- 212000.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20000.0
- Card Benefits
- Extended Warranty,
Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Platinum Edge Credit Card
-
American Express Qantas Premium Card
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$24930,0001 point uncappedReceive 30,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only. Credit Card Provider of the Year in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2021^.
CompareCompareQantas Premium Card
Receive 30,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only. Credit Card Provider of the Year in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2021^.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $249
- Bonus points
- 30,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1 point uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.74% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 30,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 19010.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Premium Card
-
Apply By 31 Dec 2022
St.George Amplify Qantas Platinum
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$9960,0000.5 points up to $100,000/yearEarn 60,000 bonus Qantas Points (min $3,000 spend in the first 3 months). New cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.
CompareCompareAmplify Qantas Platinum
Earn 60,000 bonus Qantas Points (min $3,000 spend in the first 3 months). New cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $99
- Bonus points
- 60,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 0.5 points up to $100,000/year
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 19.49% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 24 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.49% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 0.5 points per dollar on Visa, up to $100,000 per year
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 60,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 19010.0
- Card Benefits
- Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Amplify Qantas Platinum
-
American Express Explorer® Credit Card
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Membership Rewards$39570,0002 points uncappedReceive 70,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you apply, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.*
CompareCompareExplorer® Credit Card
Receive 70,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you apply, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.*
- Rewards program
- Membership Rewards
- Annual fee
- $395
- Bonus points
- 70,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 2 points uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.74% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 2 points per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 70,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 15600.0
- Sydney to London
- 212000.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20000.0
- Card Benefits
- Extended Warranty,
Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Explorer® Credit Card
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Awards
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
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