The Complete Guide to Qantas Points Expiry and How to Prevent Losing Your Miles
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Qantas Points are a valuable currency for travellers, but they don’t last forever. Understanding the expiry rules and how to keep your points active is essential for anyone looking to maximise their rewards. This guide covers everything from the basic expiry policy to advanced strategies for preventing loss, including family transfers, credit card linking, and everyday earning tricks.
How Qantas Points Expiry Works
Qantas Points expire 18 months after your last eligible activity. This means that if you earn or redeem points at least once every 18 months, your entire balance remains safe. The clock resets every time you have a qualifying transaction. It’s important to note that the expiry is based on the date of the activity, not the date the points were credited.
What Counts as Eligible Activity?
Not all transactions reset the expiry clock. Eligible activities include:
- Earning Qantas Points through flights, credit cards, shopping, or partners
- Redeeming Qantas Points for flights, upgrades, or products in the Qantas Store
- Transferring points to or from a family member (via Qantas Family Transfers)
- Earning points through Qantas Wellbeing App activities
Activities that do not count include:
- Points adjustments or reversals
- Bonus points awarded by Qantas (unless tied to an eligible earning event)
- Changes to your account status (like reaching Silver or Gold tier)
- Expired points being reinstated
Checking Your Points Expiry Date
You can check your points expiry status by logging into your Qantas Frequent Flyer account online or via the app. The expiry date is displayed on the account summary page. If you have multiple points sources, the expiry date shown is based on the earliest expiration among your points, but remember that a single eligible activity extends all points.
Common Pitfalls That Lead to Points Expiry
Many members lose points because they assume certain activities count when they don’t, or they simply forget to track their last activity date. Here are the most common mistakes:
- Relying on status credits: Earning status credits on flights extends your status but does not count as an eligible activity for points expiry.
- Assuming all credit card points reset the clock: Only points earned directly from a linked Qantas credit card count. If you transfer points from a general rewards program (like Amex Membership Rewards), that transfer is an eligible activity, but the earning of points on the card itself is not.
- Ignoring small transactions: Small point redemptions, like for a magazine subscription, can be a cheap way to reset the clock.
- Forgetting about family transfers: Transferring as few as 5,000 points to a family member counts as an activity for both accounts.
Strategies to Keep Your Points Active
Keeping your points from expiring is easier than you might think. Here are several reliable methods, from zero-cost to those requiring minimal spending.
1. Link a Qantas Points-Earning Credit Card
One of the simplest ways to ensure regular activity is to use a Qantas-linked credit card for everyday spending. Even a small purchase each month will keep your points active. Many Australian banks offer Qantas Frequent Flyer credit cards with no annual fee for the first year or low ongoing fees.
| Card Type | Annual Fee | Earn Rate (per $1) | Min. Activity to Keep Points Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas Premier Everyday | $0 first year, then $49 | 0.75 Qantas Points | One purchase per statement period |
| NAB Qantas Rewards Signature | $295 | 1 Qantas Point | One purchase per month |
| Westpac Altitude Qantas Black | $250 | 0.75 Qantas Points | One purchase per month |
| American Express Qantas Discovery | $0 | 0.75 Qantas Points | One purchase per month |
Data as of 2025. Check current offers on bank websites.
2. Shop Through Qantas Shopping
The Qantas Shopping portal offers points for purchases at hundreds of online retailers, including Apple, Myer, and Booking.com. You can earn points on things you’d buy anyway, and even a small purchase will reset your expiry. Look for bonus point promotions to maximise your earn.
3. Use the Qantas Wellbeing App
The Qantas Wellbeing App awards points for staying active. You earn points for steps, sleep tracking, and completing wellness challenges. Even if you’re not a fitness enthusiast, the app can provide a steady trickle of points to keep your account active. The app is free to download and use.
4. Transfer Points from a Rewards Program
If you hold points in programs like American Express Membership Rewards, you can transfer as few as 500 points to Qantas. This transfer counts as an eligible activity and resets your expiry clock. It’s a great option if you don’t fly often but accumulate points through other means.
5. Redeem Points for Small Items
Don’t let points sit idle. Redeem a small number of points for a magazine subscription, a gift card, or a donation to charity through the Qantas Store. Redemptions start at just a few thousand points and are a surefire way to keep your account active.
6. Family Transfers
Qantas allows you to transfer points to eligible family members (up to four per year). A transfer of as little as 5,000 points counts as an activity for both the sender and the receiver. This is a powerful tool for families to pool points and keep multiple accounts active simultaneously.
Advanced Tips for Avoiding Expiry
- Set calendar reminders: Mark your expiry date and set a reminder 2-3 months before to ensure you have time to act.
- Automate with a credit card: Set up a small recurring payment (like a subscription) on your Qantas credit card to guarantee monthly points.
- Monitor your account regularly: Log in every few months to check your balance and last activity date.
- Consider points pooling: If you’re part of a household, consider using one account as the primary earner and transferring points as needed to keep all accounts active.
What to Do If Your Points Have Expired
If your points have already expired, you may have options to get them back, but they often come at a cost.
Qantas Points Reinstatement Policy
Qantas offers a Points Challenge that allows you to reinstate expired points if you earn a certain number of points within a specified timeframe. The required earn amount varies based on how many points expired. For example, you might need to earn 5,000 points in 3 months to reinstate 50,000 expired points. This option is only available once per account.
Buying Back Points
In some cases, you can purchase points to reinstate your expired balance, but this is rarely good value unless you have a large number of points at stake. Always calculate the cost per point versus the value you can get from redemptions.
FAQ
How long do Qantas Points last without activity?
Qantas Points expire if you have no eligible activity for 18 consecutive months. The expiry date is based on your last earning or redemption activity.
Does transferring points from a family member count as activity?
Yes, both the sender and receiver get an activity recorded when a family transfer is made. This resets the expiry clock for both accounts.
Can I extend Qantas Points expiry without spending money?
Yes, you can use the Qantas Wellbeing App to earn points for free, or transfer points from a rewards program. Both methods reset your expiry without requiring a purchase.
What happens if my points expire while I’m overseas?
Qantas does not make exceptions for being overseas. You must have eligible activity within 18 months regardless of your location. Plan ahead by setting up automatic earning or calendar reminders.
Are there any credit cards that prevent points expiry automatically?
No credit card completely prevents expiry, but using a Qantas-linked card for regular purchases ensures frequent activity, effectively keeping your points alive as long as you use the card.
References
- Qantas Frequent Flyer Terms and Conditions – https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/terms-and-conditions.html (Accessed April 2025)
- Qantas Points Expiry Help Page – https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/manage-account/points-expiry.html (Accessed April 2025)
- Qantas Shopping Portal – https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earn-points/online-shopping.html (Accessed April 2025)
- Qantas Wellbeing App – https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earn-points/wellbeing-app.html (Accessed April 2025)
- Finder – Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card Comparison (2025) – https://www.finder.com.au/qantas-frequent-flyer-credit-cards (Accessed April 2025)