How to Earn Qantas Points on Airbnb Stays: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re a Qantas Frequent Flyer member, you probably already know the joy of earning points on flights, credit cards, and even grocery shopping. But did you know you can also earn Qantas Points on Airbnb stays? That’s right—every time you book a cozy cabin, a beachside villa, or a city apartment through Airbnb, you could be racking up points for your next reward flight or upgrade.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to link your Airbnb account to Qantas Frequent Flyer, how many points you can earn, and some savvy tips to maximize your earnings. Whether you’re a casual traveler or a points enthusiast, this is one partnership you don’t want to miss.

What Is the Qantas and Airbnb Partnership?

Qantas and Airbnb have teamed up to offer Frequent Flyer members the ability to earn Qantas Points on qualifying Airbnb bookings. This partnership is part of Qantas’s broader strategy to integrate points earning into everyday spending—not just travel.

When you book through Airbnb via the dedicated Qantas portal, you’ll earn a set number of points per Australian dollar spent (or equivalent in other currencies). The partnership has evolved over time, and as of 2024, the earning rate is 1 Qantas Point per AU$1 spent on Airbnb stays. This applies to the base cost of the accommodation (excluding cleaning fees, taxes, and other charges).


Step-by-Step: How to Link Airbnb with Qantas Frequent Flyer

Linking your accounts is straightforward, but you must follow the correct process to ensure every booking earns points. Here’s how:

1. Visit the Qantas Airbnb Portal

You cannot earn points by booking directly on the Airbnb app or standard website. Instead, you must start your booking journey at the official Qantas Airbnb landing page.

Go to: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/partners/airbnb.html

This page outlines the current offer and includes a “Book now” button that redirects you to Airbnb with a Qantas tracking code.

2. Sign In to Your Qantas Frequent Flyer Account

Before you click through, ensure you’re logged into your Qantas Frequent Flyer account. This step is crucial because the system needs to associate your Qantas membership number with the booking.

3. Click “Book Now” and Sign In to Airbnb

After clicking the “Book now” button, you’ll be taken to the Airbnb website. If you’re not already logged into Airbnb, do so now. If you don’t have an Airbnb account, you’ll need to create one.

4. Search and Book Your Stay

Once you’re on the Airbnb site (with the Qantas referral tag in the URL), search for your desired destination, dates, and property. Complete your booking as usual. The Qantas Points earning will be automatically tracked.

Important: Always check that the URL includes qantas or a referral code. If you’re unsure, clear your cookies and start again from the Qantas portal.

5. Wait for Points to Post

After your stay is completed, Airbnb will report the qualifying spend to Qantas. Points typically appear in your Qantas Frequent Flyer account within 8 weeks of checkout. If they don’t show up, you can submit a missing points claim via the Qantas website.

How Many Qantas Points Can You Earn on Airbnb?

The earning rate is simple:

• 1 Qantas Point per AU$1 spent on the base accommodation cost.

However, there are a few nuances:

• Exclusions: Cleaning fees, Airbnb service fees, taxes, and security deposits do not earn points.
• Currency: If you pay in a foreign currency, the spend is converted to Australian dollars using Airbnb’s exchange rate before points are calculated.
• Minimum Spend: There is no minimum spend required to earn points.
• Maximum Points: There is no published cap, but extremely high-value bookings may be subject to review.

Example Calculation

Let’s say you book a week-long stay in Sydney:

Those 1,400 points might not seem like a lot, but they can add up quickly—especially if you travel frequently or book longer stays.

Tips to Maximize Qantas Points on Airbnb Stays

Earning 1 point per dollar is a solid baseline, but with a few strategic moves, you can multiply your points haul.

1. Use a Points-Earning Credit Card

Pay for your Airbnb booking with a credit card that earns Qantas Points. Many Australian cards offer bonus points on travel or everyday spend. For example:

• Qantas Premier Platinum Card: Earn up to 1 Qantas Point per AU$1 on everyday purchases.
• American Express Qantas Ultimate Card: Earn 1.25 Qantas Points per AU$1 on most spends.

If you use one of these cards, you’re effectively double-dipping: earning points from Airbnb via the portal and earning points from your credit card.

2. Look Out for Bonus Point Promotions

Qantas and Airbnb occasionally run promotions offering bonus points. For instance, in 2023, they offered 500 bonus Qantas Points on your first Airbnb booking through the portal. Always check the Qantas website or your email for limited-time offers before booking.

3. Book Longer Stays

Since points are earned on the base rate, longer stays naturally yield more points. If you’re a digital nomad or planning an extended holiday, consider using Airbnb for weekly or monthly stays to maximize your points.

4. Combine with Qantas Hotels for Hybrid Trips

If your trip includes both hotels and Airbnb stays, you can earn even more points by booking hotels through Qantas Hotels. Qantas Hotels often offers 3-6 Qantas Points per AU$1, which is higher than the Airbnb rate. Use Airbnb for unique stays and Qantas Hotels for standard hotel nights to optimize your earnings.

5. Refer Friends to Airbnb

Airbnb has a referral program where you can earn travel credits when friends sign up and book. While this doesn’t directly earn Qantas Points, you can use those credits for future bookings that do earn points. Plus, if your friend books through the Qantas portal, they’ll earn points too.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Even though the process is simple, there are some common mistakes that can prevent you from earning points.

Not Starting from the Qantas Portal

This is the number one reason points don’t post. If you book directly on Airbnb or use the app, you won’t earn anything. Always begin at the Qantas Airbnb page.

Using Ad Blockers or Private Browsing

Ad blockers and private browsing modes can sometimes strip the tracking code from your session. To be safe, disable these when making your booking.

Cancelling or Modifying Your Stay

If you cancel a booking, you won’t earn points. If you modify the booking (e.g., change dates), the points may be adjusted or voided. Always check the terms.

Booking for Someone Else

The Qantas Frequent Flyer member must be the person staying at the Airbnb. If you book for a friend or family member, you likely won’t earn points unless you are also a guest.

Is It Worth It? Comparing Airbnb Points to Other Qantas Partners

At 1 point per dollar, Airbnb isn’t the highest-earning Qantas partner. For context:

Despite the lower rate, Airbnb is valuable because it offers accommodations you can’t find elsewhere—think treehouses, castles, and apartments with kitchens. If you’re already going to book an Airbnb, earning points is a nice bonus. But if points maximization is your primary goal, you might prefer Qantas Hotels for big-city stays.

How to Track Your Qantas Points from Airbnb

After your trip, keep an eye on your Qantas Frequent Flyer account. Here’s how to monitor:

1. Log in to your Qantas account online or via the app.
2. Check your activity statement for a line item like “Airbnb – Qantas Points.”
3. Wait 8 weeks from checkout. If points still haven’t appeared, lodge a claim.

To lodge a missing points claim:

• Visit the Qantas Missing Points page.
• Provide your Airbnb booking confirmation number, stay dates, and receipt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I earn Qantas Points on Airbnb Experiences?

As of 2024, the partnership only covers Airbnb stays (accommodation). Airbnb Experiences (activities, tours, etc.) are not eligible for Qantas Points.

Do I earn points on taxes and fees?

No. Only the base nightly rate (before taxes, cleaning fees, and service fees) earns points.

Can I use Qantas Points to pay for Airbnb stays?

Not directly. Qantas Points cannot be redeemed for Airbnb bookings. However, you can redeem points for Qantas Hotels or flights, then book your Airbnb separately.

Will I earn points if I use a coupon or credit?

If you apply an Airbnb coupon or travel credit, the amount paid with the coupon may not earn points. Only the portion paid with cash/credit card qualifies.

Is there a limit to how many points I can earn?

There’s no official cap, but Qantas reserves the right to limit points on commercial or bulk bookings. For normal personal travel, there’s no limit.

References

1. Qantas Frequent Flyer Airbnb Partner Page: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/partners/airbnb.html
2. Airbnb Help Centre – Payments and Refunds: https://www.airbnb.com.au/help/article/2861
3. Qantas Missing Points Claim Form: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/my-account/claim-missing-points.html
4. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) – Loyalty Programs: https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/advertising-and-promotions/loyalty-programs