Qantas is set to significantly expand its international operations, with the addition of 220,000 seats, new aircraft, and a brand-new route.
Over the next 12 months, the airline will increase capacity to meet growing demand in the Asia Pacific and US markets, introducing new services and improving fleet efficiency.
From February 2025, Qantas will roll out these changes across its international network, starting with the launch of a new route between Brisbane and Palau.
The airline will also return two Airbus A380s to service and introduce more next-generation A220 aircraft, boosting seat availability and enhancing passenger comfort.
Increased Capacity to the United States
Qantas will increase its capacity to the US by 13%, offering 30% more premium seats on long-haul flights with the return of additional A380 aircraft by August 2025.
The Brisbane to Los Angeles route will benefit from the reintroduction of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, offering passengers the option of Premium Economy and increased seat availability.
This move responds to the growing demand for flights between Australia and the US, providing more options for travelers seeking premium travel experiences.
New Brisbane to Palau Route
For the first time, Qantas will add Palau to its international map, launching a weekly service from Brisbane to the Pacific island nation.
The ‘Palau Paradise Express,’ operated by a 737 aircraft, will begin flights in the coming months. This route is part of a contract awarded to Qantas by the Australian Federal Government to support trade and tourism links between Australia and Palau.
Known for its pristine waters and unique marine life, Palau is expected to become a popular destination for divers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Darwin to Singapore Route Upgraded
QantasLink’s new A220 aircraft will make its international debut in March 2025, serving the Darwin to Singapore route.
Initially planned to operate with the Embraer E190, the larger 137-seat A220 will now take over, offering over 70,000 seats annually on five weekly flights.
This shift is part of Qantas’ broader fleet renewal strategy, which is phasing out older Boeing 717s in favor of more efficient aircraft.
Changes to Seoul Flights
Qantas will cease operations between Sydney and Seoul from June 2025. However, its low-cost subsidiary, Jetstar, will increase its flights on this route from four per week to daily, resulting in a net increase in seat availability.
This adjustment is aimed at catering to the strong leisure demand between the two cities, allowing Qantas to redeploy aircraft to higher-demand routes.
Comments from Qantas Group International CEO
Cam Wallace, CEO of Qantas Group International, expressed excitement about the upcoming changes, stating: “We’re thrilled to offer our customers more than 220,000 additional seats, a new international destination, and the debut of our A220 aircraft on the Singapore-Darwin route. These changes reflect our commitment to meeting growing customer demand while ensuring we have the right aircraft on the right routes.”
The expansion of Qantas’ international network underscores its dual-brand strategy, which leverages the combined fleets of Qantas and Jetstar to offer flexibility and increased service options for passengers.
Customer notice: we may receive a commission from Amex if you apply for a card via a link in this article (read more in our Cards Disclosure). This income helps keep the site running, and we thank you for your support.
The Qantas Amex Ultimate Card is Amex’s most popular and rewarding Qantas card, and our top pick of Qantas cards on the market.
Not only does it let you accumulate points fast thanks to a very strong points earn rate on spend, but you can also enjoy range of travel and lifestyle perks.
These include a $450 Qantas Travel Credit each year that fully offsets the card fee, four airport lounge entries per year, comprehensive travel insurance, and more.
Right now, our readers can also receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online via our Amex partner link
by 14 January 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new card within the first 3 months (new Amex Card Members only; T&Cs apply).
Points don’t expire so long as you keep your Qantas Frequent Flyer account active by earning or redeeming at least one point every 18 months. Plus, reward bookings are refundable if your plans change.
Here’s an overview of the card benefits you can enjoy.
1. Earn piles of points and fly with top airlines
You’ll turbocharge your points balance by earning 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases – one of the highest Qantas Points earn rates in Australia.
You’ll receive 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on selected Qantas products and services in Australia, and 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent with government bodies.
After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent.
Hundreds of thousands of merchants accept Amex in Australia, and that number is growing, so there’s no shortage of places where you can earn points with this card.
There’s no limit on the number of points
You can use those points to fly with Qantas and an array of international partners, including top airlines like American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways and more.
With so many partners to choose from, the whole world is within reach.
2. Take off with a $450 Qantas Travel Credit every year
You’ll get a $450 Qantas Travel Credit at the start of each card membership year, including when you first receive the card, which effectively offsets the card’s $450 annual fee.
The Qantas Travel Credit is redeemable for Qantas flights online at American Express Travel. It’s valid for 12 months and you can book any available flight in the future.
The Qantas Travel Credit is very flexible. While you need to use it in a single booking, that can be for one or more people, travelling one way or return, and on domestic or overseas flights. Plus, the booking can be in anyone’s name and doesn’t have to include you.
Eligible flights are standard Qantas flights with a QF flight number, so you’ll have plenty of routes to choose from.
Take off with a $450 Qantas Travel Credit every year
3. Enjoy four airport lounge entries each year
Relax before your next flight in style, even if you’re flying economy.
Each year, you’ll receive two Qantas lounge invitations valid for both domestic Qantas Clubs and Qantas International Lounges in Australia and overseas. These invitations will be activated in your Qantas Frequent Flyer account after your first card spend on selected Qantas products and services, such as flights.
You can use one of the Qantas lounge invites to bring in a guest, or transfer one or both invites to another Qantas Frequent Flyer member.
Relax in the lounge before you fly
You’ll also receive two entries each year to Amex’s exclusive The Centurion Lounge at Sydney Airport international or Melbourne Airport international, which are the two airports in Australia that have Amex lounges so far.
Simply present your physical card at the door to get in, and you may use one of the entries to bring in a guest (children under the age of 17 get in for free).
4. Travel securely with domestic and overseas travel insurance
You’ll receive comprehensive travel insurance cover when you pay for a domestic or international return flight with your card or use Qantas Points or the $450 Qantas Travel Credit to book.
This cover extends to your domestic partner and dependent children up to the age of 25 when they are travelling with you.
You’ll receive cover for:
inconvenience – flight delays, cancellations or missed connections, and delayed luggage
medical emergency expenses
damaged, destroyed, lost or stolen baggage, money or documents
trip cancellation and amendment costs
personal liability
COVID-19 related changes and costs.
If you’re currently paying for travel insurance and this cover meets your needs, you can save money by relying on it.
5. Enjoy a range of other benefits
There are many more perks to enjoy with this card, including:
up to 4 complimentary Additional Cards for family members or friends – an easy way to earn points faster
complimentary premium membership to Qantas Wine (worth $99) – get free delivery Australia-wide and earn 3 points per $1 spent
up to 44 days interest free on purchases
‘buy now, pay later’ with American Express Plan It™ Instalments: pay off your card balance in equal monthly instalments with 0% interest and a fixed monthly fee
use your card with Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay
Amex Offers: save money and earn bonus points via regular offers with top brands
American Express Experiences: access sought-after events like music, theatre and film, including via pre-sale tickets, and enjoy exclusive lounges at selected events.
Plus 50,000 bonus Qantas Points
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online via our Amex partner link
by 14 January 2025, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new card within the first 3 months (new Amex Card Members only).
Not only can you use those points to travel, but they’ll also help you become a member of Qantas’ Points Club. Membership is automatic when you earn 150k points in a year, and benefits include two extra Qantas lounge passes, a $50 hotel voucher, a $50 wine voucher, the ability to earn Status Credits on reward bookings, and more.
This offer is only available to new American Express Card Members. That means you must not have held an American Express card in the last 18 months. However, you are eligible if you’re an Additional Card Member on someone else’s account (including a corporate account).
It’s very simple to apply for this card, including on mobile devices.
We’re delighted to partner with Amex to bring our readers this offer.
Important: This article is not intended to suggest that you should apply for a card. You should seek independent, professional advice and consider your personal circumstances before deciding to apply for a card.
If you apply for a card via a link in this article, we may receive a commission from Amex. This income helps keep our site running, and we thank you for your support.
Customer notice: we may receive a commission from Amex if you apply for a card via a link in this article (read more in our Cards Disclosure). This income helps keep the site running, and we thank you for your support.
The American Express Platinum Card takes pride of place at the front of my wallet, as it does for so many other card enthusiasts I know, for one simple reason: when it comes to delivering rewards and benefits, no other card on the market comes close.
From access to exclusive events and experiences, to premium travel and dining perks, a top-notch rewards program and more, the Platinum Card offers compelling value, even with its $1,450 annual fee (the value of the benefits can be triple that amount each year).
As this is a charge card, it has no pre-set spending limit. Instead, you have a dynamic limit that responds to your spending patterns over time. The balance must be paid in full each month.
For a limited time, new Amex Card Members can receive 150,000 bonus Membership Rewards points with this card when you apply online via our Amex partner link by 28 January 2025, are approved and spend $5,000 on your new card within the first 3 months (T&Cs apply).
150k points can be used for a range of redemptions including 75,000 frequent flyer points with multiple airlines including Qantas.
Here’s an overview of the card benefits you can enjoy.
Earn points quickly and enjoy flexible rewards
The card rewards program, Membership Rewards, has a stellar reputation among loyalty program experts and is my favourite for earning and spending points.
Platinum Card Members earn a very strong 2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1spent on purchases (1 point per $1 spent with government bodies), which is uncapped.
What I especially love about Membership Rewards points is that they are very easy to spend on a variety of rewards. You can use them to pay for card purchases, shop with David Jones, buy a range of gift cards or pay for travel with American Express Travel. With these redemptions, you get $50 of value per 10,000 points redeemed – which is excellent value.
You can also transfer Membership Rewards points to two hotel loyalty programs (Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors) and a range of airline frequent flyer programs, including both Qantas and Virgin Australia (a very rare feature among cards in Australia).
The full list of airline partners includes:
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Velocity Frequent Flyer
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Etihad Guest
Malaysia Airlines Enrich
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
Air New Zealand Airpoints
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
Choose from many airline transfer partners including Qantas
Experience valuable benefits with top hotels
You’ll gain elite status with major hotel loyalty programs, including:
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status – Marriott is the world’s biggest hotel group with brands such as Sheraton, Westin and Aloft
Hilton Honors Gold status – in addition to Hilton hotels, you can also enjoy perks with brands like Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and Doubletree
Radisson Rewards Premium Status with Radisson Hotel Group
Accor Elite Silver status (via your complimentary Accor Plus membership – see below) – Accor includes brands like Sofitel, Pullman and Mercure.
Elite benefits vary from program to program and can include complimentary room upgrades at check-in, early and/or late checkout, complimentary internet access, and free breakfast.
When I put my Hilton Gold status to the test during a trip to Tokyo, I scored over $1000 of complimentary benefits including an upgrade to a club room and free breakfast for two people. You can read about that experience here.
You’ll also receive complimentary Accor Plus membership valued at $399 p.a., which grants access to the most expansive hotel, dining and lifestyle membership program in Asia Pacific. Benefits include a complimentary night’s accommodation each year (including at high-end hotels like Sofitel and Fairmont, subject to availability), up to 50% off your dining bill at hotel restaurants, and more.
You also get access to the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program, which provides complimentary benefits at over 1,300 five-star properties worldwide, including daily breakfast for two people, guaranteed 4pm late checkout, room upgrades when available, a special amenity at each property, and more. These benefits offer an average value of over $800 for a two-night stay. When I tried this out during a trip to Vienna, my family scored over 600 Euros of benefits.
Enjoy complimentary room upgrades and other benefits at stylish hotels
Finally, the Amex Hotel Collection includes more than 500 properties in over 30 countries, including brands like Hyatt and Hilton. Every time you book a two-night stay you’ll receive a hotel credit worth up to US$100 to spend on dining, spa and resort activities, as well as a complimentary room upgrade at check-in when available.
Enjoy airport lounge access in Australia and overseas
Start your trip in style with access to over 1,400 airport lounges in more than 140 countries, including unlimited entries to:
Virgin Australia Lounges – located at select domestic terminals around Australia (you can bring in one guest for free)
The Centurion Lounge – Amex’s flagship lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and more than 40 locations around the world (two guests permitted)
Priority Pass Lounges – Priority Pass is the world’s biggest lounge network, with a presence in more than 500 cities. Membership is complimentary for you and one Additional Card Member (you may bring in one guest each at no charge)
Plaza Premium Lounges – Plaza Premium is an independent lounge operator with a strong presence in Asia. Access is complimentary for you and an Additional Card Member (you may bring up to 2 guests in each at no charge)
Escape Lounges – located across the USA (two guests permitted)
Delta Sky Club Lounges when flying Delta (guest access rules vary).
Enjoy many other lifestyle benefits
There are plenty of other perks to take advantage of – too many to list in full here – but the ones I like most are:
a $450 Travel Credit each year which is redeemable for flights, hotels or car hire through American Express Travel
up to $400 back each calendar year until 31 Dec 2025 when you dine at over 2,000 restaurants in 20 countries: up to $200 in Australia and up to $200 overseas (enrolment required)
up to $84 back per calendar year until 31 Dec 2025 for your monthly or annual Amazon Prime subscription (enrolment required)
up to 4 complimentary Additional Cards for family members or friends
smartphone screen cover, with up to $500 available twice a year for screen repairs (with a 10% excess)
complimentary domestic and overseas travel insurance cover for you and your family (includes COVID cover)
complimentary digital subscription to The Australian Premium, including full digital access to The Australian and The Wall Street Journal
invites to specially curated experiences that are not open to the general public – from sporting to fashion and dining
opportunities to access sought-after events like music, theatre and film, including via pre-sale tickets, and exclusive lounges at selected events
cash back and bonus points with top brands via Amex Offers
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and Avis Preferred memberships: enjoy savings on car rentals worldwide and complimentary upgrades when available
up to 20% discount on First and Business Class fares with some of the world’s leading airlines
compatibility with Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay
the Amex Experiences App, which gives Platinum Card Members access to information about their benefits, travel offers, events and recommended merchants all from the palm of their hand.
And finally, I do have to mention that the card looks great – it’s all-metal, and you’ll love the feeling of whipping it out!
The stylish all-metal Platinum Card
Plus 150,000 bonus points
Receive 150,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you apply online via our partner link
by 28 January 2025, are approved and spend $5,000 on your new card within the first 3 months (new Amex Card Members only; T&Cs apply).
Those points can be converted to 75,000 frequent flyer points with most partner airlines, as well as other uses.
This offer is only available to new American Express Card Members. That means you must not have held a card issued directly by American Express Australia in the last 18 months. However, you are still eligible for this offer if you’re an Additional Card Member on someone else’s account.
Don’t miss this opportunity to get a top-quality card and a huge bonus.
Important: This article is not intended to suggest that you should apply for a credit product. You should seek independent, professional advice and consider your personal circumstances before deciding to apply for a credit product.
If you apply for a card via a link in this article, we may receive a commission from Amex. This income helps keep our site running, and we thank you for your support.
Customer notice: we may receive a commission from Amex if you apply for a card via a link in this article (read more in our Cards Disclosure). This income helps keep the site running, and we thank you for your support.
If you’re a business owner who loves to travel, don’t miss the opportunity to get a huge 130,000 bonus Qantas Points with Amex’s top Qantas business card: the American Express® Qantas Business Rewards Card.
That’s enough to book Classic Reward seats to anywhere in the world in economy with Qantas or to many destinations in business class (more on that later).
This card also comes with a range of ongoing perks, including two Qantas Club passes each year, triple Qantas Points when you fly, a strong earn rate on everyday business spend, up to 99 complimentary Employee Cards, comprehensive travel insurance for you and Employee Card Members, and more.
Our readers will receive 130,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online via our Amex partner link
by 14 January 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new card within the first 2 months (new Amex Card Members only, T&Cs apply).
Here’s an overview of the benefits you can enjoy.
1. Earn points on business spend and fly with top airlines
You’ll turbocharge your points balance by earning 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday business purchases – one of the highest Qantas Points earn rates in Australia.
For Qantas products and services, you’ll earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent, while with utilities, government bodies and non-Amex issued insurance you’ll earn 0.5 points per $1 spent.
After a total of 500,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday business earn rate will change from 1.25 to 0.75 Qantas Points per $1 spent.
Hundreds of thousands of businesses accept Amex in Australia, and that number is growing, so there’s no shortage of places where you can earn points with this card.
The points will be credited to your business’ Qantas Business Rewards (QBR) account. QBR is Qantas’ loyalty program for businesses and membership is complimentary with your card.
From there, you can transfer points to any Qantas Frequent Flyer member including yourself, employees or family members.
You can use those points to fly with Qantas and an array of international partners, including top airlines like American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways and more.
With so many partners to choose from, the whole world is within reach.
2. Earn triple Qantas Points when you fly
You’ll earn Qantas Points and Status Credits like any Qantas Frequent Flyer member when you fly with Qantas.
On top of that, you’ll earn triple Qantas Points on eligible Qantas flights booked with your card, up to 4 million points per membership year.
Eligible flights are domestic or international flights with a QF flight number purchased in Australia and operated by Qantas, Emirates or American Airlines.
Triple points are earned when anyone travels on flights booked using your card.
3. Relax in a Qantas Club twice a year
Relax before your next flight in style, even if you’re flying economy.
You’ll receive two Qantas Club passes each year, which will be triggered when you pay for an eligible Qantas purchase with your card.
Eligible Qantas purchases are Qantas passenger airfares with a QF flight number purchased directly from Qantas Australia, and Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qantas Business Rewards or Qantas Club membership, joining or annual fees.
Relax in a Qantas Club twice a year
You can use the passes for yourself or a travel partner, or easily transfer them to someone else.
4. Travel securely with domestic and overseas travel insurance
You’ll receive domestic and international travel insurance cover for you, your family and Employee Card Members when the card is used to pay for return travel.
You’ll be covered for:
inconvenience costs (flight delays and cancellations, and luggage delays)
medical expenses
damaged, destroyed, lost, or stolen baggage, money and documents
trip cancellation costs
transport accidents
personal liability
COVID-related trip change and cancellation costs.
If you’re currently paying for travel insurance and this cover meets your needs, you could potentially save money by relying on it.
5. Save time and money with other features
Your business will also benefit from these features:
up to 99 complimentary Employee Cards linked to the account, which can help you earn more points while easily keeping track of expenses across the business
cashflow boost: this is a charge card, which means you have up to 51 days to pay off purchases without incurring interest, or you can choose to pay off a portion of the balance over time up to your Flexible Payment Option (FPO) limit (interest charges apply)
no pre-set spending limit: instead, you have a dynamic limit that’s based on your spending patterns, payment history, credit records, and financial resources. This gives you the power to increase your spending capacity over time
save up to 10% on the base fare of eligible Qantas flights
use your card with Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay
direct feeds into MYOB, Xero and other accounting software.
Plus 130,000 bonus Qantas Points
Receive 130,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online via our partner link
by 14 January 2025, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new card in the first 3 months (new Amex Card Members only; T&Cs apply).
With those points you could:
book a classic reward flight to anywhere in the world in economy return with Qantas (costing up to 110,400 points plus taxes and fees)
book a classic reward flight in business class one-way on Qantas flights as long as Sydney-Dallas or Perth-London (costing up to 126,500 points plus taxes and fees)
upgrade to business class multiple times – starting at 5,400 points domestically and 11,900 points on international flights, depending on distance and fare class booked. For example, an Economy to Business Class upgrade between Brisbane and Tokyo costs 54,500 points, while a Premium Economy to Business Class upgrade between Sydney and London costs 65,400 points.
Use your points to enjoy business class comfort
This offer is only available to new American Express Card Members. That means you must not have held an American Express card in the last 18 months. However, you are eligible if you’re an Additional Card Member on someone else’s account (including a corporate account).
The card annual fee is $450, which should be tax deductible when used for business purposes.
The minimum annual business revenue to qualify is $75,000 and you need to hold a valid ABN that is registered for GST.
We’re delighted to partner with Amex to bring our readers this offer. It’s only available for a limited time via our partner link below, so don’t miss out – you could be booking a holiday in no time!
This article is not intended to suggest that you should apply for a card. You should seek independent, professional advice and consider your personal circumstances before deciding to apply for a card.
If you apply for a card via a link in this article, we’ll receive a commission from Amex. This income helps keep our site running, and we thank you for your support. Read more in our Cards Disclosure.
Customer notice: we may receive a commission from Amex if you apply for a card via a link in this article (read more in our Cards Disclosure). This income helps keep the site running, and we thank you for your support.
The Explorer Credit Card is a great choice for savvy travellers who want the ultimate flexibility with using points while also enjoying a range of travel and lifestyle benefits.
Points earned with this card can be transferred to 11 airline and two hotel loyalty programs, opening up more redemption opportunities.
Other perks include a strong points earn rate on spend, an annual $400 Travel Credit that fully offsets the card fee, complimentary travel and smartphone screen insurances, and more.
New cardholders can also receive 50,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you apply online via our Amex partner link
, are approved and spend $4,000 on your new card in the first 3 months (T&Cs apply; New Amex Card Members only).
Here’s an overview of the perks you can enjoy.
1. Receive a strong points earn rate on spend
The card rewards program, Membership Rewards, is extremely popular among points experts and is our favourite for earning and spending points.
Card Members earn a very strong 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on purchases, except with government bodies where you earn 1 point per $1 spent.
Points earning is uncapped.
Hundreds of thousands of merchants accept Amex in Australia, and that number is growing, so there’s no shortage of places where you can earn points with this card.
2. Redeem your points for flexible rewards
Membership Rewards points are easy to use on a variety of rewards. You can redeem them to pay for card purchases, buy a range of gift cards, or pay for travel with American Express Travel.
You can also transfer Membership Rewards points to two hotel loyalty programs (Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors) and 11 airline frequent flyer programs (with all three global alliances represented). These airlines are:
Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (can be used to book Star Alliance airlines)
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (can be used to book Qantas and oneworld flights)
Qatar Airways Privilege Club (can be used to book Qantas and oneworld flights)
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (can be used to book Skyteam airlines)
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
Emirates Skywards
Etihad Guest
Malaysian Airlines Enrich
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
Air New Zealand Airpoints.
For most of these airlines, Membership Rewards points transfer over at a 2:1 rate.
If you like to use points for air travel, the big advantage of earning Membership Rewards points (over Qantas or Velocity Points) is that you’re not locked into any single airline frequent flyer program, rather you accumulate Membership Rewards points until you’re ready to transfer them to a partner airline.
Use your points to fly with top airlines like Singapore Airlines
Having so many airlines to choose from means it can be easier to find award seats when the time comes to book, especially if you want to fly in a sought-after business or first class cabin.
3. Enjoy a $400 Travel Credit each year
At the start of each card membership year, including when you first receive the card, you’ll get a $400 Travel Credit that you can redeem for flights, hotels or car hire in Australia or overseas.
It’s very easy to redeem the travel credit online at Amex Travel (which is essentially an online travel agency). Simply find the flight, hotel or car hire you want and then apply the $400 credit during the payment process.
You can use the travel credit to book something for yourself or anyone you choose.
Since you receive the travel credit every year, it effectively offsets the card’s $395 annual fee.
4. Get up to US$100 in hotel credits and room upgrades
Amex’s Hotel Collection includes more than 600 hotels and resorts in over 30 countries worldwide, including from trusted brands like Hyatt and Hilton.
Every time you book two or more consecutive nights’ stay at one of these properties with your Explorer card, you’ll receive:
a hotel credit of up to US$100 for qualifying charges – typically dining, spa, golf or other hotel facility-related charges (but not the room rate, taxes or fees)
a complimentary room upgrade at check-in (subject to availability).
Enjoy benefits at stylish hotels
These complimentary extras can add a lot of value to your stays, and there’s no limit on how many times you can use this benefit.
5. Save money with a range of insurance covers
You’ll receive complimentary travel insurance cover for you, your partner and dependent children up to the age of 25 when you pay for a return trip with your card, the Travel Credit or Membership Rewards points. The cover is comprehensive and includes medical, trip cancellation and amendment, travel delay and baggage-related costs, as well as many other expenses.
You’ll also receive smartphone screen cover when you pay for your phone or monthly contract with your card, with $500 available for repairs up to 2 times every 12 months (with a 10% excess).
And for good measure, you’ll also get refund and purchase cover and extended warranties for eligible purchases made using your card.
6. Earn more points, save money and enjoy other lifestyle benefits
There are so many other perks to enjoy with this card, including:
up to 4 free additional cards for family members or friends – an easy way to earn points faster
two entries each year to Amex’s exclusive The Centurion Lounge at Sydney Airport international or Melbourne Airport international (children under the age of 17 get in for free)
Hilton Honors Silver Status – earn 20% bonus points on stays and receive every 5th night free on Standard Room Reward stays of 5 nights or more
up to 55 days interest-free on purchases
‘buy now, pay later’ with American Express Plan It™ Instalments: pay off your card balance in equal monthly instalments with 0% interest and a fixed monthly fee
use your card with Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay
Amex Offers: save money with regular discount offers with top brands
American Express Experiences: access sought-after events like music, theatre and film, including via pre-sale tickets, and enjoy exclusive lounges at selected events.
Plus 50,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points
Receive 50,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you apply online via our Amex partner link
, are approved and spend $4,000 on your new card within the first 3 months (new Amex Card Members only; T&Cs apply).
This offer is only available to new American Express Card Members. That means you must not have held a card issued directly by American Express Australia in the last 18 months. However, you are still eligible for this offer if you’re an Additional Card Member on someone else’s account.
Important: This article is not intended to suggest that you should apply for a card. You should seek independent, professional advice and consider your personal circumstances before deciding to apply for a card.
If you apply for a card via a link in this article, we may receive a commission from Amex. This income helps keep our site running, and we thank you for your support.
In a major development for Australian aviation, Qatar Airways Group has announced its intention to acquire a 25% minority stake in Virgin Australia, subject to regulatory approval.
This strategic investment is set to strengthen the partnership between the two airlines, bringing a host of benefits to travellers, including more competitive fares, expanded international routes, and improved frequent flyer perks.
More Choice and Greater Value for Australian Travellers
A key benefit of this partnership will be increased competition in the Australian aviation market. Virgin Australia will now be positioned to enhance its international offerings, giving Australian consumers more choice and better value.
The Qatar Airways investment will support Virgin Australia in navigating the inherent volatility of the aviation sector, ensuring the airline can offer more affordable fares and improved services.
Virgin Australia’s CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, stressed the significance of this investment for consumers. “This partnership brings the missing piece to Virgin Australia’s longer-term strategy and is a huge vote of confidence in Australian aviation,” she said. “It will further strengthen Virgin Australia’s ability to compete over the long term, which will inevitably translate into more choice and even better value airfares for consumers as well as additional Australian aviation jobs.”
New Long-Haul Routes to Begin in 2025
One of the most anticipated benefits for travellers is the introduction of new long-haul flights. Beginning in mid-2025, Virgin Australia plans to launch routes from major Australian cities—Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth—to Doha, Qatar Airways’ home base. These new routes will open up access to Qatar Airways’ extensive global network, which includes over 100 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Virgin Australia’s planned wet lease arrangement (a type of leasing arrangement in aviation where one airline (Qatar) provides another airline (Virgin) with an aircraft, along with a complete crew and maintenance) will allow the airline to assess the viability of these long-haul services, ensuring that the new offerings meet consumer demand while delivering sustainable growth.
Enhanced Frequent Flyer Benefits and Expanded Code-Sharing
Frequent travellers stand to benefit from the expanded partnership between Virgin Australia’s Velocity program and Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club.
The collaboration will offer passengers more opportunities to earn and redeem points, as well as access to a greater range of destinations and improved schedule options.
The increased synergy between the two airlines’ loyalty programs will hopefully make it easier for Australian travellers to maximize the value of their frequent flyer points on international journeys.
The deeper code-sharing agreement between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways will also improve connectivity, offering Australian passengers more frequent flights and greater flexibility when planning their trips.
Small and medium-sized enterprises, corporate clients, and leisure travellers alike will benefit from these expanded options, as they gain access to a wider range of competitive fare options and flight schedules tailored to their needs.
Looking Ahead
As Virgin Australia prepares for its long-anticipated return to public ownership, the equity investment from Qatar Airways is expected to be a cornerstone of the airline’s strategic growth.
The move, which is still subject to regulatory approval, marks a significant milestone for Virgin Australia as it rebuilds following its post-pandemic recovery.
Both Qantas and Virgin Australia allow their frequent flyer members to buy points in order to ‘top up’ their accounts.
The airlines say this is designed to help members who are a little short of the points required to redeem a reward – but it’s also a nice way for the airlines to earn more money, as buying points is relatively expensive.
You’re generally much better off earning points with credit cards or via points partners.
However, if you need points quickly and have no other option, purchasing points outright can be a useful last resort.
In terms of Qantas Points, you can purchase a minimum of 1,000 up to a maximum of 150,000 points, up to 4 times in any 12 month period.
The more points you buy, the lower the cost per point. For example, purchasing 1,000 points usually costs $56 (=5.6 cents per point) while buying 150,000 points sets you back $3999 (=2.6 cents per point). That’s a big difference.
I’ve written before about how to work out the value you’ll get from points when weighing up opportunities to earn or buy them. Consider your options carefully and work out the best way forward for you.
Until this Sunday 22 September 2024, Qantas is running promo offering extra points, as follows:
25% bonus Qantas Points on purchases of 15,000 – 55,000 points
50% bonus Qantas Points on purchases of 60,000 – 150,000.
If you go for the maximum purchase of 150,000 points, you’ll receive an extra 75,000, for a total of 225,000 points at a cost of $3999 (=1.8 cents per point).
That’s only a good deal if you use those points to book a business or first class reward seat that would otherwise be much more expensive.
You must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member for at least 30 days before purchasing.
To find out all the T&Cs for purchasing points and potentially buy some, visit Qantas here.
Want some easy Qantas Points? Get 50k bonus points plus a $450 travel credit and lounge passes with our favourite credit card: the Qantas Amex Ultimate Card!
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Qantas has announced a new direct flight service from Melbourne to Honolulu, set to commence in May 2025.
The new Honolulu route will operate three times weekly using an Airbus A330.
Jetstar, Qantas’ low-cost subsidiary, will discontinue its existing Honolulu service from Melbourne as Qantas takes over.
Qantas and Jetstar will continue to operate their services between Sydney and Honolulu.
To celebrate, the airline is offering discounts on 50,000 seats across its network in the Americas, including destinations such as Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and Santiago.
Economy return fares for the new route will start at $1,049 while Classic Plus reward seats begin at 61,900 points + $430.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said: “We are thrilled to continue to enhance our network in America with the launch of a new route from Melbourne to Honolulu, bringing a new, tropical destination to our Melbourne customers.”
“Our new service ensures continued connectivity for Melbournians to Hawaii, while enabling Jetstar to redeploy its 787 aircraft to other destinations and long-haul routes.”
