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 - rates updated daily
Westpac Altitude Platinum
Earn up to 80,000 bonus Altitude Points ($3k min. spend in the first 90 days on eligible purchases). Enjoy up to 45 days interest free with a 0% balance transfer for 18 months (rate then reverts to 21.49% after). 1% BT fee. Only $99 annual card fee for the first year, $150 thereafter.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Altitude Rewards$150 $99 in the first year80,0001 point uncappedAltitude Platinum
Earn up to 80,000 bonus Altitude Points ($3k min. spend in the first 90 days on eligible purchases). Enjoy up to 45 days interest free with a 0% balance transfer for 18 months (rate then reverts to 21.49% after). 1% BT fee. Only $99 annual card fee for the first year, $150 thereafter.
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.49% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 18 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
- 1 point per dollar on Mastercard, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 80,000
- Rewards
- Points
- 15,600 points
- 212,000 points
- 24,100 points
- Card Benefits
- Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Altitude Platinum
American Express Qantas Discovery Card
Receive up to 1.75 Qantas Points for every $1 spent on Card purchases (T&Cs apply). No annual fee for the life of the card. T&C’s apply. Mozo Experts Choice Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card Winner 2020.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$0No current offer0.75 points uncappedQantas Discovery Card
Receive up to 1.75 Qantas Points for every $1 spent on Card purchases (T&Cs apply). No annual fee for the life of the card. T&C’s apply. Mozo Experts Choice Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card Winner 2020.
- 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
- 0.75 points per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- No current offer
- Rewards
- Points
- 8,000 points
- 110,400 points
- 19,730 points
- Card Benefits
- Purchase Protection,
Account alerts by SMS
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Discovery Card
NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
NABs fastest way to earn Qantas Points. 110,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 on everyday purchases within 60 days of account opening and keep the card open for 12 months. Access to 6 complimentary insurances when you make eligible purchases.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$395 $295 in the first year110,0001 point up to $5,000/month, then
0.5 points up to $20,000/monthQantas Rewards Signature Card
NABs fastest way to earn Qantas Points. 110,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 on everyday purchases within 60 days of account opening and keep the card open for 12 months. Access to 6 complimentary insurances when you make eligible purchases.
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 19.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 6 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Visa, up to $5,000 per month, then
0.5 points per dollar on Visa, up to $20,000 per month
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 110,000
- Rewards
- Points
- 8,000 points
- 110,400 points
- 19,730 points
- Card Benefits
- Concierge,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
International Travel Insurance,
Transit Accident Insurance,
Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance,
Rental Vehicle Excess in Australia Insurance
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Rewards Signature Card
American Express Explorer® Credit Card
Receive 90,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points and get $300 back when you apply online by 3 May 2021, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Membership Rewards$39590,0002 points uncappedExplorer® Credit Card
Receive 90,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points and get $300 back when you apply online by 3 May 2021, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
- 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
- 90,000
- Rewards
- Points
- 15,600 points
- 212,000 points
- 20,000 points
- Card Benefits
- Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
Account alerts by SMS
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Explorer® Credit Card
St.George Amplify Signature
Earn up to 200,000 Bonus Amplify Rewards Points over 2 years (100k yr 1, 100k yr 2) when you spend $12k on eligible purchases each year. New cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply. Offer ends 28th September 2021.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Amplify Rewards$279200,0001.5 points uncappedAmplify Signature
Earn up to 200,000 Bonus Amplify Rewards Points over 2 years (100k yr 1, 100k yr 2) when you spend $12k on eligible purchases each year. New cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply. Offer ends 28th September 2021.
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 19.74% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 15 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
- 1.5 points per dollar on Visa, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 200,000
- Rewards
- Points
- 15,600 points
- 212,000 points
- 22,200 points
- Card Benefits
- Concierge,
Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
Guaranteed Pricing,
Rental Car Excess Cover
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Amplify Signature
American Express Velocity Escape Card
Earn up to 1.75 Velocity Points. Have limited stress with the Velocity Escape with no annual fee. Credit Card Provider of the Year in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2020^. T&C’s apply
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Velocity Frequent Flyer$0No current offer0.75 points uncappedVelocity Escape Card
Earn up to 1.75 Velocity Points. Have limited stress with the Velocity Escape with no annual fee. Credit Card Provider of the Year in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2020^. T&C’s apply
- 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
- 0.75 points per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- No current offer
- Rewards
- Points
- 7,800 points
- 119,600 points
- 19,500 points
- Card Benefits
- Purchase Protection,
Account alerts by SMS
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Velocity Escape Card
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Rewards Credit Cards 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.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.