Jet Airways is a full-service airline based in Mumbai. If you’re planning a trip to India, you can redeem Qantas points or American Airlines AAdvantage miles to book Jet Airways award flights.
Update: Jet Airways ceased operations in April 2019.
The Opportunity
If you have Qantas points and are planning a trip to India, Qantas will only get you part of the way. But if you were to fly Qantas to Singapore or Bangkok, for example, you could redeem points for a Jet Airways award flight the rest of the way to destinations like Mumbai, Delhi or Bengaluru.
Jet Airways is an Indian full-service airline based in Mumbai. The airline has a strong domestic network within India, as well as connections to other parts of Asia and Europe.
If you’re stuck looking for a trans-Atlantic award flight, Jet Airways also has a daily tag flight between Amsterdam and Toronto.
Qantas and American Airlines both have partnerships with Jet Airways, although American Airlines will discontinue it partnership at the end of 2017. In the meantime, it is possible to redeem both Qantas points and American Airlines AAdvantage miles for Jet Airways award flights.
A Business class seat from Singapore to Mumbai, for example, would cost 53,000 Qantas points and around $210 taxes. A Business seat from Amsterdam to Toronto would set you back 65,000 Qantas points, plus around $300 in taxes.
Qantas does pass on fuel surcharges for Jet Airways award flights, but American Airlines does not. For example, a Business award seat from Paris to Mumbai would cost 42,500 American AAdvantage miles and only ~$150 in taxes. There are definitely some good deals to be had with American Airlines – which also charges fewer points than Qantas on many routes – until 31 December.
The main catch is that you can’t book Jet Airways award flights online. You would need to phone Qantas or American Airlines, respectively, to make a booking. But if you have an Expert Flyer subscription, you can check for award availability on there prior to calling.
The good news is that award availability on Jet Airways is generally excellent. Business and Economy seats are generally available on most flights.
Don’t forget that you can also fly non-stop to Sri Lanka using Qantas points on Sri Lankan Airlines!
The Facts
- Currency: Qantas points or American Airlines AAdvantage miles
- Airline: Jet Airways (9W)
- Routes: Various routes to, from & within India, and Amsterdam-Toronto
- Class of travel: Economy or Business
- Cost: Varies
- Availability: Very good
- How to book: Call Qantas or American Airlines to book award seats on Jet Airways.
Would you like help using your frequent flyer points?
AFF’s Frequent Flyer Concierge service to take the hard work out of redeeming your frequent flyer points!
Our experts can help you to find the perfect flights using your points. Just let the team know how many points you have, where you’d like to go and when you’d like to travel. They’ll find the best available reward flights for you.
