Qantas: gets even closer to KLM and Air France

Qantas has announced that it is upgrading its codeshare arrangement which started in 2018, to a partnership arrangement with KLM and Air France, so that you can earn and redeem Qantas Frequent Flyer points – but unfortunately, not earn Status Credits.

What does this mean?

Well, quite a lot. It adds a bunch of European destinations to the Qantas network, not to mention layers of complexity to what you will earn, redeem, and lounges you will have access to and the ones you won’t.

There is a bit to unravel – so I will deconstruct the knitting, straighten the skein of wool, and purl and plain you another square to crochet into the knee rug that is the Qantas Frequent Flyer scheme.

The Benefits

Here is a list of the benefits this partnership will mean for Qantas Frequent Flyers:

• Access reward seats on KLM and Airfrance network (AF) globally
• Earn Qantas points on KLM and AF globally
• Receive tier benefits across AF and KLM network. For Qantas Gold status or higher, these include:
  • priority boarding
  • priority check-in
  • extra baggage allowance
• Lounge access – limited for tier status, but complimentary for international Business and First passengers
  • Paris and Amsterdam, of gold or above, and on a Qantas codeshare flight number
  • Access in HK, Singapore lounges if booked on a QF codeshare flight number for gold and above
• Status credits on KLM and AF flights booked with a Qantas codeshare number

Usual Qantas Lounge access privileges apply in Singapore and Hong Kong for Qantas Gold and above.

The fine print – what you don’t get

There are some limits to this partnership and that means that there are some things that you don’t get:

• Doesn’t apply to flights with KLM or AF codeshare flight numbers, but not operated by them
• You need to be travelling on an eligible booking class
• no access to Air France first-class rewards
• no status credits for KLM or AF flight numbers
• Qantas Club members without tier status, won’t get into AF or KLM lounges
• Tier status alone won’t get you into KLM and AF lounges except as outlined above

2PAXfly Takeout

This is good news if you want to add to your Qantas possie of points to redeem on Qantas and Qantas partner flights, as it gives you an alternative to racking up Skyteam points which may or may not be desirable.

It also gives a greater range of destinations that can be booked either with cash or redemptions via the Qantas website. With a tentative trip planned for mid-year to Europe, this may be a boon for me.