Qantas is touting Classic Plus Rewards as its newest way to add ‘more than 20 million’ points-based seats for redemption. In most cases, you’ll need many more points than a standard reward seat, but in exchange for greater availability. Is it worth it? This guide provides a neutral overview of Classic Plus Rewards’ mechanics.

How does Classic Plus work?

Classic Plus redemptions are dynamically priced. The number of points needed is based on Qantas’ lowest available cash fares in each cabin class at the time of searching.

Because Qantas fares are generally cheaper with a return journey rather than one-way, Classic Plus Rewards are also usually more affordable when booked as a return, rather than one-way.

In very rare cases, Classic Plus rewards can be less expensive than a Classic reward (e.g. as seen in Business Class).

The value you’ll get with Classic Plus is higher than Points Plus Pay (currently around 0.5 cents per point). But it’ll also usually be lower than a Classic Flight Reward, which can easily exceed 3 cents per point with Business and First Class rewards.

Here are the rates at which you can redeem a Classic Plus reward:

 

    • Classic Plus redemptions in Economy: 1.0 cents per point*

    • Classic Plus redemptions in Premium Economy, Business and First: 1.25 cents per point*

 

* Value per point including fees and taxes.

Unfortunately, Qantas reduced the value of Classic Plus redemptions in premium cabins from 1.5 cents per point to 1.25 cents per point in late 2025 without providing any notice.

What are the pros and cons of Classic Plus?

1. Classic Plus fares are priced separately from Classic rewards

If you combine a Classic Plus and a Classic Flight Reward fare, the two sector amounts will be added up for the final price. You aren’t able to take advantage of a lower single price for connecting flights, even if both airlines are on the same Classic Flight Reward Table.

This isn’t a problem for a return journey as the return sector is charged separately from the outbound anyway. But you can still access return Classic Plus pricing by combining it with a Classic Flight Reward sector in the other direction.

What about the popular Oneworld Flight Reward, which allows you to fly around the world in Business Class for 318,000 Qantas Points + fees and taxes? Unfortunately, Classic Plus flights are not included in that capped pricing.

2. Classic Plus upgrades will be considered before Classic Flight upgrades

If you’re hoping to nab an upgrade to Premium Economy, Business or First Class, those with Classic Plus bookings will be prioritised over passengers with Classic Flight Rewards bookings. This might give you the edge you need to snap up the remaining seats first.

Both reward seat types are still considered after passengers with cash bookings, though.

3. Economy Sale and Business Classic Plus are upgradeable

Usually, a Qantas international Economy Sale fare can’t be upgraded with points. But if you book one with Classic Plus, you can request an upgrade to Premium Economy or Business Class.

Another new perk for international Business Classic Plus bookings is that they are eligible for an upgrade to First Class. Usually, standard Business Classic Flight Reward bookings can’t be upgraded to First.

Upgrades from Qantas Business Classic Plus to First are possible.

4. Points Club members earn limited Status Credits

As with Classic Rewards, Points Club (and Points Club Plus) members will still earn a limited number of Status Credits on Classic Plus flights. However, you won’t earn any Qantas Points on the booking, as before.

5. Change and cancellation fees remain the same

As with standard Classic Flight Reward bookings, you’ll need to pony up 5,000 points per person for changes and 6,000 points per person for cancellations with Classic Plus.

This is generally a good outcome as commercial fare policies tend to be stricter.

Classic Plus change and cancellation rules remain the same… mostly.

6. Fare differences will be charged in cash

Booked a Classic Plus Reward and need to change it later? A new rule that may not be immediately obvious is that any fare difference will be charged in cash. However, the 5,000-point change fee will continue to be charged in points.

Classic vs Classic Plus and Points Plus Pay

Classic RewardClassic PlusPoints Plus Pay
Pricing methodFixed based on distance, cabin class and airline.

Same points cost per sector one-way or return.		Variable based on equivalent cash fare.

Return fares better than one-way for international.		Variable based on equivalent cash fare.

Return fares better than one-way for international.
Value per pointVariable (depends on the cash fare). Generally best value.Economy: 1 cent per point.

Premium Economy + Business + First: 1.25 cents per point.		Approximately 0.5 cents per point. Generally worst value.
Fees and taxesPayable on top.Payable on top, but factored into the value per point.Included in the cost.
Points and Status CreditsNo points earned. Only Points Club members earn Status Credits.No points earned. Only Points Club members earn Status Credits.Points and Status Credits earned based on fare type and membership.
Change and cancellationsChanges: 5,000 pts
Cancellations: 6,000 pts		Changes: 5,000 pts
Cancellations: 6,000 pts		Based on the rules of the fare selected.
AvailabilityLimited availability.More availability.Availability down to the last seat.

Summing up

We don’t see Point Hacks readers using Classic Plus Rewards regularly. Standard Classic Flight Rewards offer far better value. However, casual users with points to spare may consider Classic Plus if that’s the only option available to them.

What do you think of Classic Plus Rewards? Let us know in the comments below.


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The Ultimate Guide to Qantas Classic Plus Flight Rewards was last modified: September 10th, 2025 by Brandon Loo