How to earn 20,000 Qantas points, fast

Escape’s points expert, Sabine Leroy, answers your questions about frequent flyer programs.

Turbo charge your Qantas points tally.

Need to rev up that points tally? Here are your best bets.

I'm short 20,000 points to score an amazing deal on international flights. Since it's a small amount, I'm not keen on getting another credit card, as the fees would be more than the savings on the flight. We already have two credit cards. How can I earn points without signing up to a new card? 

I would assume you already have the main points scoring avenues covered off like shopping at Woolies, fuelling up with BP and buying wine at BWS with your Everyday account linked. A big deciding factor is how long you have to earn these points.  As I’m sure you know, flight deals don’t tend to stay around too long. Depending on the offer, you’re looking at spending around $20,000 with most earn rates being one point per dollar spent. You’ll want to look out for special bonus deals for items or services you need. As deals are often fleeting, the key here is speed and that’s a lot of cash to be fronting up in a short amount of time. Make sure you do the maths to be certain this is worth spending that amount.

Wine with benefits? We are in.

Stock up on wine

The fastest way to earn points would be to stock up on alcohol through the Qantas Wine store. I hear you – you would be buying quite the volume of wine, spirits or beer. But the store can have deals where you earn up to 10,000 bonus points per case.  Perhaps it can be booze for the next few months or you could even plan to include some Christmas presents or birthday gifts you need to purchase anyway? 

Gifts cards and vouchers

Thinking down the line of Christmas presents and other gifts, would you consider purchasing some gift cards? You can purchase gift cards at a range of partners through Qantas Shopping or directly with retailers Forty Winks, Merrell, Ugg, Vans, Platypus Shoes, Skechers, Stylerunner or Carpet Court. The range is also extensive via Everyday rewards.

The weekly grocery shop can help you rack up Qantas points.

Grocery gift cards

You could buy a bunch of Everyday Wish gift cards. There’s no expiry on the cards and you’re able to redeem them in store and online at Woolies, Woolworths Metro, BIG W, BWS, Dan Murphy's and EG Ampol Fuel Sites. For the next few months you would be using the gift cards to pay for groceries, fuel and booze. Just make sure you keep track of the expiration date so you spend it while your money is still valid.

Hunt down some offers

Sign into Qantas Frequent Flyer and check for offers that are best bang for buck. There are sometimes great offers which can earn you up to 9 Qantas points per dollar spent. After credit cards, the deals on insurance or hotels generally offer good returns. Just make sure you’re buying something you need.

Beg and borrow

Is there a family member you can ask to borrow points from? Don’t forget Qantas is generous with what qualifies as family. It can be a nephew or niece, first cousin, grandparent, grandchild and even your in-laws. If you know a family member who is points rich, you could borrow 20,000 points and return them later.

Have a question about points? Drop Sabine an email at [e-mail]. Personal replies are unfortunately not possible.

Originally published as How to earn 20,000 Qantas points, fast