Travel Hacking Australia: How to Use Points and Rewards to Fly for Less (2026)

Qantas Frequent Flyer is the larger and more versatile program. Points can be redeemed on Qantas, Jetstar, and a broad range of partner airlines (including American Airlines, British Airways, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, and Japan Airlines). The earning rate on everyday spending via credit cards ranges from 0.5–1.5 Qantas Points per dollar.

Velocity Frequent Flyer is Virgin Australia's program. Points are redeemable on Virgin Australia and partners including Singapore Airlines, Etihad, and Delta. Velocity is generally considered to have better domestic redemption value and more accessible status tiers.

The most scalable way to accumulate points is through a points-earning credit card linked to your preferred program:

• Qantas-earning cards: American Express Qantas cards (1–2.25 points per $1), NAB Qantas Rewards (0.5–1 point per $1), ANZ Frequent Flyer (0.5–1 point per $1), and Bankwest Qantas Platinum.
• Velocity-earning cards: Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer card, ANZ Rewards cards transferable to Velocity, and various Amex cards with transfer options.
• The key metric: effective earn rate and annual fee. A card earning 1 Qantas Point per $1 with a $450 annual fee requires significant spend to justify. Calculate: if points are worth ~1 cent each, you need $45,000 in annual spend just to cover the fee.
• Sign-on bonuses: These are the highest-value moments in credit card points. A new card offering 80,000–150,000 bonus points for hitting a minimum spend threshold can be worth $800–$1,500+ in flight value. Only viable if you can meet the spend threshold with genuinely necessary purchases.
• Supermarket and fuel partner points: Both Qantas and Velocity have supermarket and fuel partners (Woolworths/Everyday Rewards links to Qantas, BP and other partners). Linking your existing shopping to earn points at no additional cost is a straightforward win.

Points value varies dramatically by redemption. The worst redemptions (toasters, vouchers, gift cards) deliver around 0.5–0.8 cents per Qantas Point. Mid-range redemptions (economy seat upgrades, partner airline economy) deliver 1–1.5 cents. The best redemptions - business or first class on partner airlines - can deliver 3–6+ cents per point.

This means 100,000 Qantas Points could be worth $500 on toasters or $5,000+ on a business class flight to Europe. The same points, radically different value. Points hoarders who target premium cabin redemptions extract dramatically more value.

These categories deliver the best cents-per-point value:

• Business class on partner airlines (AA, BA, Cathay, JAL): Typically 3–6 cents per point. A Sydney–London business class on British Airways redemption might cost 120,000–140,000 points vs a cash price of $6,000–$8,000.
• Qantas domestic business (short routes): High cents-per-point value on routes like Sydney–Melbourne where cash prices for business class are disproportionately high.
• OneWorld partner premium economy: Strong value on routes where premium economy cash prices are elevated.
• Jetstar redemptions: Lower cents-per-point but useful for domestic travel with small balances.

Points schemes are designed to benefit the issuer - these rules protect you:

• Never carry a credit card balance for points: Credit card interest at 20%+ obliterates any points value within weeks. Points credit cards only work if paid in full every month.
• The annual fee must be justified: Calculate whether your annual points earn exceeds the annual fee value. A $450 fee card earning 1 point per $1 needs $45,000+ spend to break even on the fee alone.
• Points expire: Qantas Points expire after 18 months of inactivity; Velocity after 24 months. Keep accounts active with at least one earn transaction before expiry.
• Don't spend for points: Spend on things you need and let points accumulate. Spending $500 on something unnecessary to earn 500 points (worth ~$5) is a $495 loss.
• Redemption availability matters: Points are worthless if there are no reward seats available. Business class reward seats on popular routes book out far in advance - plan redemptions 6–12 months ahead.

Points programs are one form of rewards - but cash is more flexible and always full value. Roopon's member prize draws (per campaign terms) pay cash or other prizes listed in the active campaign - usable for travel, bills, or anything else without redemption restrictions or expiry dates. See roopon.com/giveaways. Roopon membership from $19.99/month also includes partner discounts on everyday spending - a straightforward cash saving that complements any points strategy. ABN: 89 656 278 830 | 172-178 Maroubra Road, Maroubra NSW 2035