Airline wars heat up as Qantas launches $99 sale

Qantas has dropped a “surprise” 72-hour flight frenzy offering cut-price fares after Virgin Australia launched a huge sale.

Australia’s battle of the airlines is heating up, with national carrier Qantas launching a “surprise” 72-hour sale.

Passengers will be able to grab discounted tickets to more than 60 domestic destinations starting at just $99 one way.

The airline said the sale would help Australians plan their next getaway and explore their own backyard.

More than 40 routes on sale for under $150 for travel periods in 2023 and 2024 and the offer ends at 11.59pm (AEDT) on October 26 or until sold out prior.

Qantas says the sale will help Australians plan their next getaway and explore their own backyard. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

The sale includes economy fares from the Sunshine Coast to Melbourne for just $159, Melbourne to Sydney for $145 and Adelaide to Melbourne for $125.

Customers still holding a Qantas Covid credit can request a refund or get double Qantas points on any flights booked with a Covid credit before December 31, the airline said.

The Flying Kangaroo’s sale comes after Virgin Australia released a 72-hour flight frenzy offering cut-price fares to some of the nation’s most-coveted tourist destinations for as little as $86.

Travellers are also set to benefit with a huge points boost for those in the airline’s Velocity Frequent Flyer Loyalty program.

The airline will double status credits on eligible bookings until October 30, helping Aussies boost their account balance and gain access to privileges as such as lounge access and priority boarding.

Virgin Australia has dropped a mega sale. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

The sale fares are available until midnight AEDT on October 26 and apply to select destinations and travel dates between January 2024 and June 20, 2024.

Melburnians in need of some warmth can grab a one-way Economy Lite flight to the Sunshine Coast from just $125.

A trip to Noosa beckons with cut-price fares to the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Getty Images

Travellers will be able to boost their Velocity status credits. Picture: iStock

Sydneysiders who fancy a trip to Hamilton Island can nab a slice of paradise for just $126, while Brisbane passengers will only have to fork out $239 for a trip to Perth.

A flight from Adelaide to Canberra will set travellers back just $160.

Virgin Australia said the sale would help Australians doing it tough due to cost of living woes and would help slash the price of a much needed end-of-year or new year holiday.

The Velocity double status credits offer will help the loyalty program’s almost 12 million members climb the status ranks faster to get seat selection and higher checked baggage allowances, the airline said.

To earn Velocity double status credits, passengers need to activate the airlines’s offer by October 30 and include their frequent flyer number in their booking.

Originally published as Airline wars heat up as Qantas launches $99 sale