Qantas lifts earning rates on Malaysia Airlines

Qantas Frequent Flyer members flying on Malaysia Airlines (MH) will now find it easier to rack up points and Status Credits, thanks to changes in how certain fare classes are credited. Most MH Business Class fares have been shifted out of the ‘Flexible Economy’ category – where they’ve been languishing for years – and into the ‘Business’ earning category, which means a significant jump in rewards.

For example, a Business Class ticket from Perth to Kuala Lumpur previously earned 2,500 Qantas Points and 50 Status Credits one-way. This will now earn 3,200 Qantas Points and 100 Status Credits.

On the longer flight from Kuala Lumpur to London, the change is even bigger. Instead of 6,500 Qantas Points and 60 Status Credits, you could earn up to 8,125 Points and 120 Status Credits each way.

The move comes as Qantas forges stronger ties with Malaysia Airlines with the introduction of a new codeshare partnership. Here’s what changed and how to make it work for you.

Improved earn rates on MH premium cabin fares

Before these recent changes, Qantas effectively penalised members flying on Malaysia Airlines by only awarding Business and First Class points and Status Credits at the ‘Flexible Economy’ rate.

This applied to routes that were similar to Qantas’ own, such as those from Australia to Malaysia and onward to Europe or the Middle East. Essentially, you would pay full fare to fly in Business Class, but only earn at Economy rates.

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New rates for Business and Business Suites (C, D, J, A, F)

As of 1 September 2025, Qantas has updated its earn tables. Many of these fares are now reclassified into the Business earn category instead.

On selected flights* (see below), Business Class fares C, D and J now earn at Business rates, as do Business Suite fares A and F. However, Business Promo class Z remains pegged at Flexible Economy rates. Keep that in mind if you’re booking Malaysia Airlines’ cheapest Business Class fares.

On all other flights, the story is the same, except that Business Suite A and F fares earn at the higher First Class rate.

New rates for Flexible Economy (H, B, Y)

In the past, MH Flexible Economy fares were credited at the ‘Discount Economy’ rate on selected flights*. With the recent changes, H, B and Y fares now earn at the standard ‘Economy’ rate instead.

For all other flights, there’s actually been a downgrade of sorts in Economy. While B and H continue to earn at standard ‘Economy’, Y has been shifted from ‘Flexible Economy’ down to standard ‘Economy’ as well.

Deep-discount Economy fares, such as O, G, Q, N and S, still don’t earn any points or Status Credits at all.

What the new Qantas-Malaysia Airlines codeshare means for travellers

On 17 September 2025, Qantas officially launched a codeshare partnership with Malaysia Airlines.

Travellers in Australia flying from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, or Sydney can now book Malaysia Airlines-operated flights to Kuala Lumpur under a Qantas flight number. From Kuala Lumpur, the codeshare also extends to popular domestic Malaysian destinations, including Langkawi, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching.

These QF-codeshare flights will earn at the full Qantas rate rather than the Malaysia Airlines partner rate.

Summing up

Overall, the change in earning rates is a positive step for Qantas Frequent Flyer members who regularly book Malaysia Airlines Business Class. The change in Business Class earning rates on Malaysian and European routes effectively doubles the number of Status Credits earned on those services.

The new codeshare is also welcome, particularly for passengers who want to earn at the full Qantas rate while exploring more of Malaysia.

Supplementary images courtesy of Malaysia Airlines unless otherwise indicated.