4 Comments

If you’re a frequent traveler or simply enjoy flying, being part of a good loyalty program can be one of the most beneficial ways to improve your travel experience. Qatar Airways and Qantas Airlines are two of the top airlines with outstanding loyalty programs. Both provide members with several privileges, such as special lounge access, upgrades, and the ability to accumulate miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel-related services. The latest updates to their programs have made them even more appealing.

In this blog, we’ll look at the most recent modifications and updates to Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Qantas Frequent Flyer loyalty programs. We’ll discuss their essential features, what’s new, and how you can get the most out of these programs to make your travel experience more rewarding and enjoyable.

Qatar Airways Privilege Club: Key Features

The Privilege Club is Qatar Airways’ flagship loyalty program. It enables members to earn Qmiles and Qpoints, which can be redeemed for various rewards. In 2024, Qatar Airways implemented numerous significant changes to improve the value of its reward program.

1: What’s new about earning Qmiles and Qpoints?

The Privilege Club’s currency is Qmiles, which can be earned whenever you fly with Qatar Airways, a OneWorld partner airline (which includes British Airways and American Airlines), or through one of Qatar’s many non-airline partners, such as hotels and car rental companies.

Recent updates:

·        Increased Qmiles Accrual on Partner Flights: Qatar Airways has increased its ties inside the OneWorld alliance and beyond, allowing members to earn even more Qmiles when flying with airlines like American Airlines, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific.

·        New Points Earning Partnerships: Qatar Airways has expanded its partnership network to include luxury hotels, retail brands, and financial services. You can now earn extra Qmiles for hotel stays and everyday purchases using certain credit cards.

2: Redeeming Qmiles with More Flexibility:

Qmiles can be used to pay for airline tickets, cabin upgrades, extra luggage, and even in-flight services. In 2024, Qatar Airways increased the flexibility of Qmiles redemption possibilities.

Recent updates:

·        Lower Qmiles Redemption for Award Flights: Qatar Airways has decreased the number of Qmiles required for award flights on some trips. This allows you to buy award tickets for fewer miles, maximizing the value of your reward points.

·        New Multi-City Booking Option: A major perk is the introduction of multi-city flight booking for award travel, allowing you to redeem Qmiles for trips with multiple destinations at once, making it easier to explore more places with your rewards.

3: Privilege Club members are divided into four tiers

Burgundy, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each tier provides increasingly valuable privileges, such as priority check-in, lounge access, and additional Qmiles.

Recent updates:

·        Quick Tier Upgrades: In 2024, Qatar Airways launched a promotion that allows members to accelerate their path to Silver or Gold status by earning more Qpoints on fewer flights.

·        Family Program Enhancements: Qatar’s Family Program has also been updated, making it easier for families to pool their Qmiles. Family members can now seamlessly transfer their Qmiles to a single account, allowing for faster redemptions.

Privilege Club Lounge Access:

One of the primary benefits of being a Privilege Club member is access to Qatar Airways’ opulent lounges, including the famous Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Hamad International Airport in Doha. Gold and Platinum members enjoy complimentary access to these lounges, making their pre-flight experience significantly more comfortable.

Recent Updates:

Lounge Access for Lower-Tier Members: Starting in 2024, Qatar Airways has rolled out more generous lounge access policies for Silver members, allowing them to enjoy some lounge benefits that were previously exclusive to higher-tier members. Additionally, companion lounge access has been extended, allowing more flexibility for those traveling with non-elite members.

Qantas Frequent Flyer Program: Key Features and Recent Updates

The Qantas Frequent Flyer program is one of Australia’s most prominent reward programs, with a global reach thanks to the airline’s membership in the OneWorld alliance. In 2024, Qantas added numerous additional features to make its reward program more enticing to frequent travelers.

1. How to Earn Qantas Points: What Has Changed?

 Qantas Points are the Frequent Flyer program’s currency, which can be earned on Qantas flights and OneWorld partner flights, along with various non-airline collaborations.

Recent updates:

·        New ways to get points: QuickBooks has increased its earning potential through partnerships with more retail and banking brands. Members can now earn points for regular purchases, including groceries, fashion, and restaurants. The Qantas Wellbeing App, which rewards users who stay active, has also introduced new ways to earn points by completing fitness challenges.

·        Increased Earning on International Flights: Qantas now offers more points on long-haul international flights, which makes flying with Qantas or OneWorld partners an even better deal for frequent flyers.

2: Redeeming Qantas Points: New Opportunities

Qantas Points are redeemable for flights, upgrades, hotels, car rentals, and even shopping at the Qantas Store. The airline has recently introduced improvements to allow members more choice in how they utilize their points.

Recent updates:

·        More Classic Flight Rewards Availability: Qantas has boosted the availability of its Classic Flight Rewards seats, which can be bought fully with points. This is wonderful news for members who have previously struggled to locate availability on popular routes. There is also a boost in business and first-class awards, which is a significant advantage for individuals saving for elite travel experiences.

·        New domestic and regional partnerships: Qantas has expanded its redemption opportunities by partnering with more regional airlines in Australia and the Pacific. This allows members to use their points for domestic travel in more remote areas.

3. Status Tiers and Benefits: Earning Status Faster

The Qantas Frequent Flyer program features five status tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Platinum One. Higher-tier members enjoy benefits such as priority boarding, additional baggage allowances, and lounge access.

Recent updates:

·        Bonus Status Credits Promotion: In 2024, Qantas runs limited-time promotions in which members can receive double status credits on specific routes. This makes it easier for travelers to advance their status and receive privileges such as lounge access, even if they fly less frequently.

·        Status Hold for New Parents: Qantas has implemented a “Status Hold” policy for new parents, which allows them to temporarily suspend their elite status while on maternity leave. This means they will not lose their hard-earned benefits while flying less frequently.

Conclusion: Qatar Airways vs. Qantas – Which Loyalty Program is Right for You?

Both the Qatar Airways Privilege Club and the Qantas Frequent Flyer programs have evolved to offer travelers more benefits, flexibility, and value. If you frequently fly internationally, especially in the Middle East, Qatar Airways offers a robust program with premium benefits. Qantas, on the other hand, is suitable for Australian and New Zealand travelers due to its strong domestic and regional connections as well as excellent sustainability programs. Finally, your pick will be depending on where you fly the most and what benefits are most essential to you, but both programs provide tremendous opportunities to make your journeys more lucrative!

Follow Nanajee (Grandpa) Travels for cheap airline tickets, great hotel rooms and best deals on car rentals.

Other travel related blogs:

4 Replies to “Qatar vs Qantas Airlines: Latest Loyalty Program Updates

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts