Major 2025 Qantas Frequent Flyer program changes

[AFF Editor]

Qantas has today announced some major changes to its frequent flyer program, which will take effect over the coming year.

This article gives an overview of all of the changes:

Qantas Reveals 2025 Frequent Flyer Program Changes

Qantas Frequent Flyer will raise reward flight and upgrade costs, introduce new redemption options and increase points earn on flights in 2025. We breakdown all of the changes for you...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

There's another thread and article that goes into more detail specifically about the increases to Classic Flight Reward and Classic Upgrade Reward pricing, which will come into effect from 5 August 2025:

Thread 'Qantas Classic Reward & Upgrade Devaluation on 5 August 2025'

Today at 1:01 PM

One aspect of the frequent flyer program changes that Qantas announced today was an increase in Classic Flight Reward, Classic Upgrade Reward and carrier charge prices taking effect from 5 August 2025.

This thread is specifically for discussion about these price increases.

You can read the full details here:

Qantas Devaluing Classic Rewards & Upgrades in August 2025

Qantas is increasing co-payments on reward tickets by as much as 91%, while also increasing Classic Reward and Classic Upgrade Reward prices. Read on to find out exactly what is changing.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

• AFF Editor
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• Replies: 21
• Forum: Qantas | Frequent Flyer

 

[sevenfourtyseven]

Oh oh . . .

 

[harryhv]

Mealy-mouthed headline somehow tiptoes around - the word is DEVALUATION

 

[encryptededdy]

tbh I was fearing revenue-based status credit earn, so I'm glad that didn't happen. Devaluation is unfortunate though.

 

[mbell1510]

Looks like losers will be those that earn points on the ground while those that fly regularly will be able to mitigate it somewhat by earning more points in the air.
But there are some sharp carrier charge increases, which I've noticed have been quietly increasing what seems like every few months when I book my regular SYD-BNE flights.

 

[kamchatsky]

Not surprised at that at all. QF doing what it does best.

Must be the new tariff coming into play.

 

[DejaBrew]

Not great.... also not quite as bad as I was anticipating when I saw the email hit my inbox.

 

[exLXCXFF]

At least QF PR was reading this forum over the last few months, and as predicted, started the email with "enhancements" before breaking the not so good news.

No surprise here though, and to be fair, when did this last happen?

 

[moa999]

Looks like losers will be those that earn points on the ground while those that fly regularly will be able to mitigate it somewhat by earning more points in the air.

And any with points in the bank.

Basically inflation, plus higher copayments.

 

[DejaBrew]

No surprise here though, and to be fair, when did this last happen?

2019 (in terms of classic award changes)

 

[chrispy3276]

At least QF PR was reading this forum over the last few months, and as predicted, started the email with "enhancements" before breaking the not so good news.

No surprise here though, and to be fair, when did this last happen?

Why is it that I cringe every time I see that word now .

Sounds like there's more on the way though, I wonder what "enhancements" will happen next...

 

[Pushka]

Discussing on the radio last night the cost to obtain an Emirates reward seat. While it is second hand (MrP heard it) he mentioned $4000 in fees. Conclusion was to pay the fare and get the credits instead.

 

[Zac_AU]

They've effectively arbitrarily reduced my points balance by 20%. Should be illegal.

 

[encryptededdy]

They've effectively arbitrarily reduced my points balance by 20%. Should be illegal.

Not if you spend it all before 5 August (bookings up till ~July 2026)

 

[FlyingFiona]

Discussing on the radio last night the cost to obtain an Emirates reward seat. While it is second hand (MrP heard it) he mentioned $4000 in fees. Conclusion was to pay the fare and get the credits instead.

The fees on a return Australia to Europe EK rewards flight have been $4K for some time now.

 

[fletty]

The devaluation is a shame, but happy there's no changes to status earn.

It's another good reminder that hoarding points always carries risk.

 

[torks]

In a way I look at it as earning points on the ground becomes easier as the cost of things increase (inflation etc). So the devaluation is just resetting the costs to take into account that inflation. Hence why they are giving you more points for actually flying - cost of airfares gone up so more points.

It's the higher copayment which really stings.

Doesn't mean it doesn't suck though.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Mealy-mouthed headline somehow tiptoes around - the word is DEVALUATION

Ahem.. ENHANCEMENT! they even said so.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

They've effectively arbitrarily reduced my points balance by 20%. Should be illegal.

We should refer to them now as what they have become: Qantas Pesos.

 

[NSun]

The good is that they're giving us advance notice of the increase and there's no shift to a 'revenue-based' program. But the higher co-payment on award payments is what will sting a lot of people.