Qantas prepares to announce major changes for frequent flyers as it climbs Skytrax rankings

Rumours are swirling as Qantas prepares to announce major changes that will affect its 12 million frequent flyer members. Here’s what could be on the cards.

Qantas is shaking up its frequent flyer program in an overhaul described as the biggest in 32 years.

The airline’s CEO Alan Joyce will make the announcement on Thursday morning alongside Qantas Loyalty chief executive Olivia Wirth, and rumours are swirling about what the refreshed program would include.

It comes as Australia’s flag carrier moved back in to Skytrax’s top 10 rated airlines.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce will announce major changes to its frequent flyer program on Thursday morning. Picture: Annette Dew

Qantas is tight-lipped on what will be available to its 12 million frequent flyer members once the makeover is complete.

However, it recently unveiled new products for its loyalty customers, including a points-only flight. The airline also ran a promotion with AirBnB, where first-class seats were disguised as $20 accommodation listings.

Comparison website Finder.com.au wrote new lifetime membership tiers were among the rumoured changes.

Loyalty customers can achieve Qantas Lifetime Gold status once they’ve earned 14,000 points, but no lifetime option is available for its Platinum and Platinum One tiers. High-spending travellers could be locked in if such an option were available.

The site also stated the airline could be looking at changing the way points are earned. Currently the airline bases this on how far a customer flies, but with other airlines, how much a customer pays can determine their assigned points.

A Qantas spokeswoman told The Australianone points-purchased flight was made every 15 seconds, with the airline granting points for upgrades every minute.

Rumoured changes to the loyalty program include how points are earned. Picture: Supplied

The Flying Kangaroo also improved its standing at Skytrax World’s Best Airline awards, announced in Paris overnight.

Qantas jumped from 11th to eight place in the passenger-judged awards’ rankings, and won best airline for first and business class for the Australia/Pacific region.

It’s budget subsidiary, Jetstar, took out best low-cost airline in the region.

Qatar Airways was named Skytrax’s number one airline for the fifth time, with its CEO Akbar Al Baker describing the win as a “landmark achievement”.

Qantas has already introduced a number of major changes this year.

In February, the airline announced it would ditch paper boarding passes this year, and abolish single-use plastics from its flights and lounges from 2020 onwards.

It revealed changes to its carry-on baggage limit in March, allowing customers to board with a 10kg cabin bag and a second 4kg bag.

The airline also introduced a Qantas wellbeing app, where loyalty program members are awarded points if they achieve a minimum of six hours sleep.

“We know our members like to redeem their points on travel so we’re always exploring new ways to reward members and provide more redemption opportunities,” the spokeswoman told The Australian.

Qantas Loyalty produced earnings of $175 million before interest and tax in the first half of the 2019 financial year.

Originally published as Qantas prepares to announce major changes for frequent flyers as it climbs Skytrax rankings