Qantas offers Frequent Flyers rail travel option

Qantas is rejigging its frequent flyers program to give grounded would-be travellers the option of luxury rail journeys.

Qantas frequent flyers will be able to use points to book classic reward seats on luxury trains such as The Ghan and the Indian Pacific. Picture: Che Chorley

Qantas has increased the scope of its frequent flyer program with points now able to be used to book a luxury train seat.

It is the first time “classic reward seats” have been offered on the ground as well as in the air, as the result of a partnership with Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions.

The company offers extended rail holidays on trains such The Ghan, Indian Pacific and the Great Southern, travelling through some of Australia’s most remarkable landscapes including the Red Centre, Blue Mountains and Nullarbor Plain.

Qantas Loyalty chief executive Olivia Wirth said the tie-up came at a time when domestic holidays were on the agenda of many Australians, with international flights off limits until next July.

“Ninety per cent of our members want to use their points for travel so the ability to explore the country by rail is an exciting alternative for frequent flyers and a real drawcard for our program,” said Ms Wirth.

Journey Beyond CEO Chris Tallent said the announcement reflected a coming together of “two great Australian brands”.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Qantas Frequent Flyer and provide people who love to travel with greater value when they choose a premium rail holiday experience,” Mr Tallent said.

“Like Qantas, Journey Beyond is in the business of taking people to incredible places across the country and curating unique experiences that forge lasting memories.”

Frequent flyers will need at least 100,000 Qantas points to “buy” twin and single gold cabins on the trains, with bookings now available for rail travel next year.

Train travellers will also be able to earn frequent flyer points on Journey Beyond bookings, at a rate of one for every $1 spent.

However status credits – which open the door to greater perks for frequent flyers such as lounge access and priority boarding – will not earned on the train journeys.

The deal comes at a crucial time for Qantas Frequent Flyers which is facing a challenge from Virgin Australia’s Velocity program for top tier members.

Days after Qantas offered to fast track the most loyal customers of other airlines to gold status if they achieved 100 status credits in 90-days, Virgin Australia did the same, and promised to throw in an extra gold membership as well.

Under Virgin’s offer, gold and platinum frequent flyers with Qantas would need to earn 80 status credits and take one eligible flight to qualify for Velocity gold.

Qantas Frequent Flyers has in excess of 13 million members, while Velocity has 10 million.