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.