Massive Qantas move to benefit millions of Frequent Flyers

It has been almost three years in the making but Qantas has made a big announcement that will benefit millions of its frequent flyer members.

Massive Qantas move to benefit millions of Frequent Flyers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

It has been almost three years in the making, but Qantas has just announced a huge move that could benefit the airline’s millions of frequent flyer members.

For the first time ever, Qantas has teamed up with Seagrass Boutique Hospitality group to allow customers who dine at its more than 40 venues to boost their frequent flyer points, essentially meaning you can now eat at your favourite restaurant and earn points too.

If you’re a fan of elite venues such as 6HEAD, Meat Wine & Co and Hunter & Barrel, you can now get three points for every dollar spent.

“Anyone who is a member of the Qantas frequent flyer program can both earn and use points at all of the venue locations across Australia,” Bradley Michael, CEO and founder of Seagrass Hospitality Group said at a media event on Wednesday.

Qantas has announced a massive partnership with Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group allowing its frequent flyer members to earn and use points at more than 40 venues.

If you prefer a more casual setting then you can still rack up points with eateries such as Ribs & Burgers and Italian Street Kitchen giving you two points for every dollar.

“In the restaurant game it is a question of frequency — the frequency of which customers come to our restaurants, which represents loyalty, and the other part of it is to make sure they have great experiences,” Mr Michael said.

“We have enough diversity in our group to be able to provide many opportunities — both more formal, less formal and casual for any of our Qantas friends to be able to dine in our restaurants.”

When dining at elite restaurants such as 6HEAD, Hunter & Barrel and The Meat & Wine Co, members get three points per dollar. Picture: Instagram/6HEAD

Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth said the new partnership was in response to demand from members for more ways to earn and use points across hospitality experiences.

“People are looking to get outside of their homes — they want to travel more, they want to get back to connecting with people and hospitality and dining is absolutely at the heart of that,” Ms Wirth said.

She said food and wine consistently rank among the top interests for Qantas members — 20 per cent more so than non-members, along with travel.

“And we’ve been looking at how we can expand their opportunities to be regarded while dining out,” she added.

Ms Wirth also acknowledged Qantas’ recent troubling times with staffing shortages, adding that her team — together with the wider team — is trying their best o get the airline “back to our best”.

“I know you know that when we’re at our finest we are absolutely up there in terms of world class airlines,” she said at the event.

“And the entire team at Qantas, including my loyalty team, are doing everything possible to make sure we get Qantas back to its best – we are getting there, it taking time and we just want to thank you for your patience.

“I know at times it is trying but please know we are doing everything from top to bottom to make sure Qantas can continue to serve Australia as it has in the last 102 years.”

The airline recently rehired close to 2000 staff after letting about 1700 ground handlers during the pandemic after it struggled to stay on top of baggage, flight delays and cancellations.

Frequent Flyer members can get two points per dollar spent at more casual eateries such as Ribs & Burgers and Italian Street Kitchen. Picture: Instagram/ribsandburgers

Ms Wirth said Frequent Flyers can “double-dip” on earning Qantas Points by using their points earning credit card when they at one of these restaurants.

“Weare really excited about patterning in what we think will be a successful Australian business,” Ms Wirth said.

“We have a long history not only in our lounges and catering side of our business partnering with really great Aussie companies, so we’re really excited about being apart of this growth journey and we’re excited about offering a new way for our frequent flyers to earn and also burn in restaurants.”

However, news.com.au understands that in terms of splitting points, the bill can be split among customers and Qantas points can be earned and used when paying – but this is all subject to the venues terms and conditions.