The Booking Used to Test Qantas Point Value
To work out what a Qantas point is really worth, it helps to use a real booking. I redeemed 23,700 points plus $179.40 in fees for a return flight from Melbourne to Canberra. The same flights booked with cash cost $458.
The Maths Behind the Value
Start with the cash price of $458 and subtract the $179.40 in fees you still pay. That leaves $278.60, which is the value your points covered. Divide that by the 23,700 points redeemed and you get around 1.175 cents per point.
Is 1.175 Cents Per Point Good?
It depends on what you compare it to. It’s well above what you typically get in the Qantas Store, where redemptions usually return less than 0.6 cents per point. That makes a flight redemption roughly double the value of spending points on products or gift cards.
Where Points Can Be Worth Even More
Economy flights on short domestic routes are not the best use of points. Business and first class redemptions usually push the value higher, sometimes well above 2 cents per point. Premium cabins carry much larger cash prices, while the points cost doesn’t rise by the same proportion, which is why they tend to deliver the best returns.
Fees Matter More Than You Think
The $179.40 in fees on this booking took a real chunk out of the saving. When you compare a points redemption to a cash fare, always count the fees, not just the points price. A redemption that looks cheap in points can lose a lot of its appeal once the cash component is added. But in the end, I’d rather spend $180 than $458 for exactly the same thing.
Do the Maths Before You Redeem
The simple formula is cash price minus fees, divided by points used. Run it on any redemption before you commit, and compare the result against other ways you could use the same points. A quick calculation can be the difference between a great redemption and a poor one. Make sure you put your points to work!
How do you usually redeem your Qantas points? Comment below and follow 5 Star Trip for ways to get more from your points.