Qantas Frequent Flyers splash 12.3 million points at exclusive online auction

Qantas Frequent Flyers splash 12.3 million points at exclusive online auction
By Alexandra Coulton


A few lucky punters have splashed 12.3 million Qantas points on a range of exclusive prizes and experiences in the airline’s first-ever Frequent Flyer online Points Auction.

Over five days, the airline gave members of its loyalty program the opportunity to bid on coveted prizes, including a private charter flight, a luxurious New Zealand getaway, a 787 simulator session, a soccer coaching clinic and pre-loved A380 Business Class Skybeds.

The auction attracted tens of thousands of visitors to the site, with the 787 simulator experience going for 24 times more than the starting bid, and the Queenstown holiday package for 13 times more than the starting bid.

Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth said the excitement generated by the Points Auction shows how much Qantas Frequent Flyers value exclusive opportunities.

“We are absolutely thrilled by the response to this initiative and are already planning what prizes we will offer for our second Points Auction later in the year,” she said.

“Early requests include more luxury travel experiences and Qantas memorabilia, so the challenge is on to see what we can come up with.”

Qantas Frequent Flyer Danny Wallis was the successful bidder on both the 787-9 simulator session and the private Dash-8 charter flight, and plans to take 30 friends on a day trip to Tasmania for lunch at a winery.

“Normally, I spend my points to upgrade my family to first class on our annual trip to Europe, but with international travel off the cards at the moment, the Points Auction was a fantastic way to break the monotony of lockdowns and give us an experience to look forward to,” he said.

Matthew Hartley was the successful bidder on the children’s coaching clinic with Socceroos’ coach Graham Arnold, and said he was excited to spend his points on a unique experience that his son’s soccer team could enjoy.

“My son is an enthusiastic eight-year-old soccer player for the Sutherland Sharks, and with the soccer season coming to an abrupt and early end due to COVID, it is a great opportunity for the team to train together again when restrictions ease.”

“Typically, I would use my points for redemptions on Qantas Wine and business-class tickets, but this coaching clinic is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will mean a great deal to both our kids and our coach.”

Qantas has also extended its status retention program for members ranked silver and above with a membership year ending in or before June 2022.

However, to maintain their status for another year, those members will need to book an eligible flight prior to their membership year-end, for travel until June 2022.

The airline made the same offer in November last year for members facing a possible tier downgrade in 2021.

Once the offer is activated, Qantas Frequent Flyer will also roll over eligible status credits that members earned this year into their new membership year.

Latest News

  • Cruise

P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu

P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]

  • Destinations

Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan

Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]

  • Appointments

Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role

Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]

  • Appointments

Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]