QANTAS: Classic Plus rewards now available for domestic flights.

From Monday, 16 December 2024, you can book domestic airfares by redeeming points at Classic Plus rates. These are usually more expensive than redeeming for Classic reward rates, but not always.

Qantas argues that these Classic Plus awards boost the ‘effective’ value of Qantas Points by making more seats available for frequent flyers to book. I argue that this is just an excuse to continue restricting the availability of the usually ‘cheaper’ Classic Rewards. Qantas argues that the Classic Plus rewards make an additional 20 million reward seats available in any 12 months. My response is, why not make them at the Classic reward rate?

Classic versus Classic Plus rewards

So, what is the difference? These are both ways of redeeming frequent flyer points for flights.

Classic rewards are available at a fixed rate of points per route. Classic Plus rewards are tied to the cash price of an airfare. The exchange rate is roughly 1 Qantas Point per 1c (Economy), 1.5c (Business and some Premium Economy).

Therefore, Classic Plus rewards are more expensive in terms of points, often twice or more as much as simple Classic rewards, especially in high-demand periods. However, there are exceptions, particularly in off-peak periods and during sales. Then, Classic Plus can be cheaper than Classic Rewards.

Things to remember about Classic Plus rewards when redeeming for domestic flights

When you search, you will see whether classic or Classic Plus points fares are available, as well as the cost of a standard cash fare.

Classic Plus fares are only available on Qantas-operated flights. They are not available on codeshare or partner airline flights. On the upside, with additional points, they can be upgraded from Economy to Business Class.

You can complete mixed-class bookings when using Classic Plus rewards, say Economy one way and Business on the return. Like me, you may want to book Economy one way and then Business on the return because you are tired and want to get emotional with a nice Shiraz. Mixed-class bookings like this are not possible on Classic reward return bookings.

Where does Points Plus Pay fit into the scheme of things?

Besides being the devil’s work, points plus pay is the most expensive way to redeem points for Qantas flights. Essentially, Points Plus Pay converts cash fares to a points value at the payment stage of the booking process. You can, within limits, divide your payment between cash and points components. Your points can change in value here, but use 0.6c as a guide.

This is the worst value you will get for points and should be avoided in almost all circumstances

2PAXfly Takeout

My jury is still out on Classic Plus Rewards and their use for domestic airfare redemptions. As I have said before, I view them as a way of increasing the redemption price of rewards. And that’s a bad thing, providing less value for your points for frequent and faithful flyers.

I still hold that view, but I can see that there are circumstances where Classic Plus points redemptions may be advantageous, especially during sale periods for Business Class. However, in my view, it just adds to the complexity of making a decision about whether to pay cash, use points, or cash for Economy with an upgrade request for Business.

To play my own devil’s advocate, it also adds to our choice of redemptions. So there you are.