Skip to content
General-news

Strategies for Jetting to Australia Using Loyalty Points and Air Miles [Detailed Guide]

Uncovering the most efficient airline programs for scoring award flights to Australia can be a challenge. Let's delve into some of the top-tier options to help make your travel plans a breeze.

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
A Step-by-Step Guide for Traveling to Australia Using Airline Reward Points and Miles
A Step-by-Step Guide for Traveling to Australia Using Airline Reward Points and Miles

Strategies for Jetting to Australia Using Loyalty Points and Air Miles [Detailed Guide]

In today's article, we'll explore some of the best ways to fly to Australia using points and miles, particularly in a premium cabin. The journey to Australia, with at least 14 hours of nonstop flight time, can be a logistical undertaking, but with some planning and strategic use of points and miles, the cost can be significantly reduced.

Airlines Operating Nonstop Flights

Only a handful of airlines offer nonstop routes to Australia from the U.S., including Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Jetstar Airways, Qantas, and United Airlines. Qantas, in particular, offers the most nonstop routes, including Dallas Fort Worth, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver.

Programs for Booking Flights to Australia

There are several programs that offer excellent value for flights to Australia. ANA Mileage Club, Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards, Avianca LifeMiles, and Qantas Frequent Flyer are some of the standouts.

ANA Mileage Club offers some of the best pricing for award flights to Australia, with round-trip options less than what some programs charge one-way. However, it's important to note that ANA Mileage Club makes passengers pay for fuel surcharges, which can be high for some partners.

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards has a consolidated award chart for flights between regions, but it significantly changed in March 2024, adopting a new distance-based award chart.

Avianca LifeMiles is another program that offers excellent redemption rates for flights to Australia, with no fuel surcharges on awards and it's very easy to earn Avianca LifeMiles. When redeeming LifeMiles for flights to Australia, you'll fly either with Air Canada or United Airlines.

Qantas Frequent Flyer is another program for flying between the U.S. and Australia in Qantas' first or business class. Qantas uses a distance-based award chart for its flights. Here is the award pricing for classic Flight Rewards with Qantas, Jetstar, and American Airlines:

  • Zone 1: 0 to 600 miles - Economy: 8,000 points, Premium Economy: 13,800 points, Business: 18,400 points, First: 27,600 points
  • Zone 2: 601 to 1,200 miles - Economy: 12,000 points, Premium Economy: 20,600 points, Business: 27,600 points, First: 41,500 points
  • Zone 3: 1,201 to 2,400 miles - Economy: 18,000 points, Premium Economy: 31,000 points, Business: 41,500 points, First: 62,200 points
  • Zone 4: 2,401 to 3,600 miles - Economy: 20,300 points, Premium Economy: 42,200 points, Business: 57,000 points, First: 85,500 points
  • Zone 5: 3,601 to 4,800 miles - Economy: 21,500 points, Business: 51,300 points
  • Zone 6: 4,801 to 5,800 miles - Economy: 26,000 points, Business: 61,500 points
  • Zone 7: 5,801 to 7,000 miles - Economy: 37,600 points, Premium Economy: 71,100 points, Business: 94,900 points, First: 142,300 points
  • Zone 8: 7,001 to 8,400 miles - Economy: 41,900 points, Premium Economy: 81,300 points, Business: 108,400 points, First: 162,800 points
  • Zone 9: 8,401 to 9,600 miles - Economy: 51,200 points, Premium Economy: 94,900 points, Business: 126,500 points, First: 189,800 points
  • Zone 10: 9,601 to 15,000 miles - Economy: 55,200 points, Premium Economy: 108,400 points, Business: 144,600 points, First: 216,900 points

Earning Points and Miles

Earning points and miles for these programs is relatively easy, as they are transfer partners with several transferable currencies, including American Express Membership Rewards, Brex Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Amex, Brex, Capital One, and Citi points transfer instantly at a 1:1 ratio, while Marriott Bonvoy points transfer in around 1 to 2 business days at a 3:1 ratio.

Examples of Redemptions

Here are some examples of great redemptions:

  • Honolulu (HNL) - Sydney (SYD) one-way in Jetstar economy for 26,000 Qantas points and about $60 in taxes and fees
  • Honolulu (HNL) - Sydney (SYD) one-way in Qantas business class for 82,000 Qantas points and about $60 in taxes and fees
  • San Francisco (SFO) or Los Angeles (LAX) - Sydney (SYD) one-way in United economy for 55,000 LifeMiles plus around $61 in taxes and fees

Booking Flights Using Points and Miles

Booking award flights can be a complex process, but here are some steps to help you navigate:

For Qantas Frequent Flyer:

  1. Visit the Qantas website and sign in to your account.
  2. Search for your desired flight.
  3. If award seats are available, you'll see the option to book with points.
  4. Select your preferred seat and proceed to payment.

For Avianca LifeMiles:

  1. Visit the Avianca LifeMiles website and sign in to your account.
  2. Search for your desired flight.
  3. If award seats are available, you'll see the option to book with miles.
  4. Select your preferred seat and proceed to payment.

Conclusion

Flying to Australia can be a huge logistical undertaking, but with a bit of planning and strategic use of points and miles, the cost can be significantly reduced. Whether you're looking for nonstop flights or redemptions in premium cabins, there are several programs and strategies to help you get there. Happy flying!

Read also:

Related

Latest