Brace Yourself: Qantas Points Needed for Reward Seats and Upgrades Are Increasing by 10–20%

Brace Yourself: Qantas Points Needed for Reward Seats and Upgrades Are Increasing by 10–20%

If you've been hoarding Qantas Points for that dream upgrade or a lie-flat seat to London, it's time to pay attention.

From August 5, 2025, Qantas is bumping up the number of points needed for just about everything—from short domestic hops to full-blown round-the-world trips. Expect increases of 10% to 20% across Classic Reward seats, upgrades, and international partner flights.

Here’s the breakdown, and more importantly, what you should be doing right now to get ahead of it.

🛫 More Qantas Points Needed for Classic Reward Seats

This is the big one.

Starting August 5, you'll need more Qantas Points to book a Classic Flight Reward seat—no matter where you’re flying. That includes economy, premium economy, business, and first class.

Here’s what’s changing:

  • Economy rewards: Increase by 10–15%

  • Premium cabins (premium economy, business, first): Jump by 20% on international flights

  • Shorter routes (<2,400 miles): Slightly lower increase of around 5%

If you’ve had your eye on a Qantas Business or First Class seat, this might be your last chance to book it at today’s rate.

🔥 Hack: Book Before August 5

Qantas lets you book Classic Reward seats up to 11 months in advance. That means any booking made before August 5—even for travel well into 2026—will be locked in at current rates.

So now’s the time to lock in that dream trip before the Qantas Points increases kick in.

💺 Upgrades? Those Cost More Too

Upgrades have long been a solid value for Qantas Frequent Flyers—especially on domestic business class or international long-hauls.

But from August 5:

  • Domestic upgrades will cost 15–20% more, depending on route length

  • International upgrades to premium cabins will increase by 10–20%

Thinking about upgrading from economy to business on Sydney–Perth or Perth–Singapore? Better check your points balance—you’ll need more to get there soon.

🌍 Around-the-World Trips: Use Your Points Now

The holy grail of Qantas redemptions—the Oneworld Round-the-World reward—is also getting more expensive.

Here's what’s changing:

  • Business Class RTW: From 318,000 → 365,800 Qantas Points

  • First Class RTW: From 455,000 → 523,200 Qantas Points

  • Premium Economy RTW: From 249,600 → 287,000 Qantas Points

  • Economy RTW: From 132,400 → 152,200 Qantas Points

This is one of the most valuable uses of Qantas Points, and it’s about to cost a lot more. If you’re even thinking about a Round-the-World trip, act fast.

✈️ Partner Flights (Like Emirates) Are Also Going Up

It’s not just Qantas flights feeling the pinch. You’ll also need more points to fly premium cabins on partner airlines like:

  • Emirates: +5–10% on Business and First Class redemptions

  • Oneworld and others: +15–20% in line with Qantas

The only bright side? Economy on Emirates might actually cost slightly fewer points on some routes.

💰 Carrier Charges Are Increasing Too

Let’s say you score that elusive Business Class reward seat from Sydney to London. Great, right?

Well, the cash component (carrier charges) is also going up. That flight will now cost:

  • $648 in fees, up from $473
    That’s a 35% increase, just for the privilege of redeeming your points.

✨ Jetstar Gets a Little Cheaper

Here’s the silver lining: some Jetstar domestic flights are getting cheaper.

On many shorter routes (under 600 miles), Classic Reward seats will drop from 6,400 → 5,700 Qantas Points.
So if you’re flying between places like Sydney–Melbourne or Melbourne–Adelaide, you’ll use fewer points.

🧠 Final Thoughts (and Your Next Move)

There’s no sugar-coating it—Qantas Points are about to take a hit in value across the board.

But here’s what smart flyers are doing now:
✅ Booking Classic Reward seats before August 5
✅ Locking in Oneworld Round-the-World itineraries
✅ Planning upgrades now to avoid higher redemption rates
✅ Checking Jetstar flights for better value redemptions

Qantas says this is their first major Classic Reward increase since 2019 and only their second since 2004—but it’s a significant one.

If you’ve been sitting on a stash of Qantas Points, this is your call to action. Don’t let those hard-earned points lose value while sitting idle.

📌 Need help using your Qantas Points wisely before the changes hit?
Join our free email list and get insider tips, redemption hacks, and the latest on airline program changes.

👉 Click this link: 




Back to blog