- Qantas has introduced Classic Plus Rewards to increase seat redemption availability.
- Classic Plus Rewards differ from Classic Flight Rewards in cost, availability, flexibility, and eligible airlines.
- Understanding these differences is crucial as airlines move towards dynamic pricing for seat redemptions.
Qantas recently introduced another type of seat redemption opportunity called Classic Plus Rewards in response to strong passenger demand for more redemption availability. Qantas pitches Classic Plus as affordable but not as inexpensive as its Classic Flight Rewards prices. However, it also adds another layer of complexity to the Qantas frequent flyer scheme. This article unpacks the differences between Classic Flight Rewards and Classic Plus Rewards.
If you’re into these kinds of nitty-gritty Qantas comparisons, check our our guides comparing their economy and premium economy class, as well as their premium economy and business class.
What are the Differences Between Qantas Classic and Classic Plus?
The main differences between Qantas Classic Flight Rewards and Classic Plus rewards are cost, availability, flexibility, and what airline you can fly on.
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Qantas Classic Flights Rewards require a fixed amount of points, whereas Qantas Classic Plus Flight Rewards require varying amounts of points in line with the asking cash prices for airfares. Classic Flight Reward redemptions are generally cheaper than Classic Plus redemptions, but not always.
But, while you may pay more for a Classic Plus Flight Reward, redemption opportunities are relatively easy to find, whereas Classic Flight Reward redemption opportunities are far more limited.
| Aspect | Classic Flight Rewards | Classic Plus Flight Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Fixed amount of points required Generally cheaper (but not always) | Points required vary with cash airfare prices Generally more expensive |
| Availability | Redemption opportunities are far more limited | Redemption opportunities are relatively easy to find |
| Flexibility | Changes may require additional points to cover fare difference | Changes require paying the difference in cash |
| Airlines You Can Fly On | Redeemable on Qantas, Jetstar, and partner carriers | Redeemable only on Qantas flights |
Changing a Classic Flight Reward booking may require you to pay additional points to cover a fare difference while tinkering with a Classic Plus Flight Reward booking will require you to pay the difference in cash.
Classic Flight Rewards can be redeemed on Qantas, Jetstar, and partner carriers, but Classic Plus Flight Rewards can only be redeemed on Qantas flights.
What do Qantas Classic and Classic Plus have in Common?
Both types of redemptions are upgradeable and offer passengers the flexibility to combine between cabins and fare types in the same booking. Both redemption types have the same reward change and cancellation fees, and neither allows passengers to earn Qantas frequent flyer points or status points on the booking (unless you are a Points Club member).
Let’s say you want to fly from Melbourne to Singapore. The classic flight reward is 25,400 points in economy class or 64,400 points in business class. There is also a cash component of several hundred dollars for fees and taxes. When cash fares are high, jagging one of these fares is a good deal. But when cash fares are high, finding a classic reward redemption can be a tall order.
The redemption price can soar when attempting to rely on a Classic Plus Flight redemption, particularly when looking to travel at short notice. It is not unknown for Qantas to ask for over 170,000 points for an economy class seat or circa 300,000 points for a business class seat up to Singapore during busy periods. That amount of points can take you far further if used for Classic Flight Reward redemptions.
Are Qantas Classic Plus Reward redemptions popular?
Do people make these sort of poor value-for-money redemptions? According to Qantas, they do, although hopefully, most pay less than these headline figures. Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson says introducing Classic Plus redemptions has resulted in more frequent flyers than ever redeeming seats and improved engagement with the frequent flyer programme.
Because Classic Plus redemption prices follow the principles of dynamic pricing and align with the asking cash price, Qantas says there are also times when a Classic Plus redemption will be cheaper than a classic flight reward.
If you have the available points, booking any redemption is straightforward on the Qantas app or website. One advantage of booking either type of redemption is the usually generous cancellation policies, usually a full refund minus 6,000 points.
Are Australian Airlines Moving Towards Dynamic Pricing for Seat Redemptions?
Airlines worldwide are increasingly moving away from the fixed redemption rate the Qantas Classic Flight Rewards model relies on towards dynamic pricing. The rollout of Classic Plus Rewards reflects this. Airlines like dynamic pricing because it helps them maximize revenue and profit by adjusting prices to better reflect demand.
Virgin Australia is making many changes to its Velocity frequent flyer programme. During quiet periods, the airline is reducing the asking price for an economy class redemption but raising it in both its economy and business cabins during busier times.
Virgin likes to style itself as a value-for-money proposition. Its entry-level redemption for an economy class redemption on the Melbourne – Sydney route is 5,900 points plus fees and taxes and 15,500 points in business class. But like Qantas, redemption rates vary. Fly at short notice at a busy time and the airline may ask for over 36,000 points in economy class and 95,000 points in business class between the two cities. You could go a lot further with better-value redemptions elsewhere.
But perceptions of value will vary, and like Qantas reward bookings, cancelling a Velocity rewards booking is relatively straightforward if done 24 hours before departure. Passengers can elect to receive a refund to their original form of payment.
Why It Pays to Understand Your Frequent Flyer Programme
The terms and conditions of airline loyalty programmes can be complex and no two programmes are the same. Despite the PR guff, they aren’t designed to benefit passengers. They are designed to drive business and revenue to the airline.
However, if you accrue a decent amount of points, it’s worth getting to know your frequent flyer programme. That’s because there are golden nuggets like the 108,400 Qantas Classic Reward business class redemption to Los Angeles and the 5,900 redemptions on short-sector VA flights.
Qantas Classic Plus Reward redemptions might not be for everyone, but they have a place in the redemption ecosystem. The airline industry trends suggest we’ll see more of these types of dynamically priced redemptions in the future. The trick is understanding how they work and determining whether they represent value for money.
