When you’re flying Qantas, you’ll probably attach your Qantas Frequent Flyer number to the booking to collect points and Status Credits. It’s a no-brainer, right? This is a great idea if you want to build your Qantas Points balance up, and/or earn elite status such as Gold and Platinum Frequent Flyer.
But did you know that alternatively, you could add a membership number from a partner airline and direct your points there instead. It could be a smart way to play the long game and get better flight rewards for less, because each program has its quirks when it comes to using points for flights.
For the most part, this guide is mainly academic and most readers will still probably stick with Qantas Points. But if you’re intrigued or want to dip your toes into the benefits of other frequent flyer programs, then read on.
This article is aimed at beginners – we’ll keep it simple here and link out to dedicated program guides with more information if you want to learn more about the pros and cons of each program. We’ll look at earning elite status in a separate article.
Crediting to Alaska Airlines (Recommended)
Why: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is an extremely versatile program and a new partner of the oneworld alliance. Use your miles for flights on Qantas, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific and more.
Pros: For Australian domestic flight rewards, you only need 12,500 miles in Economy or 20,000 miles for Business Class. This is a fixed rate which is great for longer flight (e.g. Perth to Sydney) which would normally require up to 41,500 Qantas Points. There are plenty of great-value international routes as well.
Cons: US$25 non-refundable partner award fee applies to any non-Alaska Airlines reward flights and an inability to redeem Mileage Plan miles for trips between Australia and Europe.
Numbers: Mileage Plan miles are earned on 25-100% of distance flown, depending on fare class, plus a bonus multiplier for Premium Economy, Business and First.
How quickly can I earn a free Business Class flight?
The table below shows the number of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles and Qantas Points you could earn on a one-way Brisbane-Perth trip in either Discount Economy, Flex Economy or Business, as well as how many flights you’d need to earn a Business reward seat on the same route.
| One-way Brisbane-Perth flights | Discount Economy (e.g. ‘Q’ fare class) | Flex Economy (e.g. ‘B’ fare class) | Business (e.g. ‘D’ fare class) |
| Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan 20,000 miles for a Business reward flight | 561 miles 36 flights for reward | 2,246 miles 9 flights for reward | 5,053 miles 4 flights for reward |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer 41,500 pts for a Business reward flight | 1,450 points 29 flights for reward | 2,200 points 19 flights for reward | 3,300 points 13 flights for reward |
Buy Alaska Airlines miles to top up your Mileage Plan balance →
Crediting to Cathay Pacific
Why: If you like to fly to Hong Kong and abroad (after COVID-19, of course), then Cathay Pacific Asia Miles is the program for you.
Pros: Redemption rates for reward seats between Australia and Hong Kong are priced well.
Cons: The cheapest Qantas Economy fares are not eligible for earning (you’ll need a Y, B, H, K, L, M or V fare at least). This includes some domestic Red e-Deal fares, but excludes all international Economy Sale fares. Read more about Qantas fare classes.
Numbers: Asia miles are earned on 50-150% of distance flown, depending on fare class and route.
How quickly can I earn a free Business Class flight?
The table below shows the number of AAdvantage miles and Qantas Points you could earn on a one-way Sydney-Hong Kong trip in either Discount Economy, Flex Economy or Business, as well as how many flights you’d need to earn a Business reward seat on the same route.
| One-way Sydney-Hong Kong flights | Economy Saver (e.g. ‘V’ fare class) | Flex Economy (e.g. ‘Y’ fare class) | Business (e.g. ‘D’ fare class) |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles 45,000 miles for a Business reward flight* | 2,296 miles 20 flights for reward | 4,592 miles 10 flights for reward | 5,740 miles 8 flights for reward |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer 68,400 pts for a Business reward flight | 3,900 points 18 flights for reward | 5,200 points 14 flights for reward | 8,450 points 9 flights for reward |
* Note that 45,000 miles is for a one-way Cathay Pacific Business Class flight, not on Qantas.
Crediting to British Airways
Why: British Airways Executive Club offers great-value Avios redemptions, particularly for many Qantas domestic flights. Shorter flights are priced quite well.
Pros: For Australian domestic flight rewards, seats start from 6,000 Avios in Economy and 12,500 Avios in Business Class, for flights such as Brisbane-Sydney. You can also use less Avios and pay more cash for reward bookings, giving much more flexibility if your Avios balance isn’t as high. It’s easy to buy cheap Avios on sale to make your booking.
Cons: Avios are harder to come by in Australia. The earn rate on Qantas is quite poor.
Numbers: Avios are earned on 25-150% of distance flown, depending on fare class.
How quickly can I earn a free Business Class flight?
The table below shows the number of Avios and Qantas Points you could earn on a one-way Adelaide-Sydney trip in either Discount Economy, Flex Economy or Business, as well as how many flights you’d need to earn a Business reward seat on the same route.
| One-way Adelaide-Sydney flights | Discount Economy (e.g. ‘L’ fare class) | Flex Economy (e.g. ‘Y’ fare class) | Business (e.g. ‘D’ fare class) |
| British Airways Executive Club 16,500 Avios for a Business reward flight | 181 Avios 92 flights for reward | 725 Avios 23 flights for reward | 906 Avios 19 flights for reward |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer 27,600 pts for a Business reward flight | 800 points 35 flights for reward | 1,200 points 23 flights for reward | 1,400 points 20 flights for reward |
Read how buying Avios can save you up to 80% on Qantas Business Class →
Crediting to American Airlines
Why: American Airlines AAdvantage is good for domestic Australian travel, particularly longer flights.
Pros: For Australian domestic flight rewards, seats are 12,500 miles in Economy and 20,000 miles in Business Class, regardless of actual distance flown. Australia to New Zealand flights are 15,000 miles in Economy and 25,000 miles in Business.
Cons: AAdvantage miles are harder to come by in Australia. The earn rate on Qantas is average. Australia and New Zealand are no longer on the same award chart.
Numbers: AAdvantage miles are earned on 25-300% of distance flown, depending on fare class and route.
How quickly can I earn a free Business Class flight?
The table below shows the number of AAdvantage miles and Qantas Points you could earn on a one-way Melbourne-Auckland trip in either Discount Economy, Flex Economy or Business, as well as how many flights you’d need to earn a Business reward seat on the same route.
| One-way Melbourne-Auckland flights | Discount Economy (e.g. ‘Q’ fare class) | Flex Economy (e.g. ‘B’ fare class) | Business (e.g. ‘D’ fare class) |
| American Airlines AAdvantage 25,000 miles for a Business reward flight | 410 miles 61 flights for reward | 1,643 miles 16 flights for reward | 2,053 miles 13 flights for reward |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer 41,500 pts for a Business reward flight | 1,000 points 42 flights for reward | 1,750 points 24 flights for reward | 2,700 points 16 flights for reward |
Buy American Airlines miles to top up your AAdvantage balance →
Summing up
The general takeaway here is that each of these four programs has its own pros and cons. While all have particular ‘sweet spots’ for when it comes to using those points or miles, it might come at the expense of lower earning rates from partner airlines.
- If you fly on Discount Economy tickets the most, you’ll be better off staying with Qantas Frequent Flyer because of the minimum points guarantee and better earning rates within the airline
- In some cases (particularly with Alaska Airlines on Flexible Economy and Business tickets), it may be better to credit to a partner program and earn a comparable reward sooner.
- However, in most other cases (e.g. with American Airlines and British Airways) it’s still better to stick with Qantas Frequent Flyer overall unless you’re actively looking to increase your balances in those programs.
Qantas does have many more partners, including Emirates, but we’ve not included them here for various reasons including low or no earn on Qantas domestic-only flights, and/or higher redemption rates which makes it unfeasible to credit your flights to that program.
Remember to use the ‘Where to Credit’ calculator to help with your planning. All you need to know is your route, airline and ticket fare class. The site will then estimate which programs will offer you the most points or miles for that flight.
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