What most people don’t understand about frequent flyer bookings

Flying economy has never been the sexiest way to spend points, but it’s a seriously savvy option. Using points avoids paying full price, and who doesn’t like saving cold hard cash?

While paid airfares get pricier as demand increases, that doesn’t apply when spending Qantas and Velocity points. These programs use the distance of your flight – not the actual price of the airfare – to determine the cost in points.

Understand this nugget of airline trickery and you’ll quickly see why short, expensive economy flights are a fantastic way to spend points.

For instance, Qantas’ two-hour Sydney-Lord Howe Island flights can cost $783 one way … or you could book for only 9200 Qantas points – the same number of points as a Sydney-Melbourne flight (plus $94 in taxes and fees) saving $689.

The principle is universal. The shorter the flight and the more expensive the airfare, the greater the value of using points for economy, provided you can find flights to suit your plans.

Canberra is another prime target for booking economy with points. On Qantas, you could pay $275 to fly from Brisbane to the capital, or burn 9200 Qantas points (plus $91 in fees) for the very same seat, saving $184.

It’s not only domestic flights where economy can be great value. When you’re already overseas, using points to explore nearby cities on partner airlines is attractive, too.

Along the same lines, Velocity caps the maximum points cost of domestic flights, aligning those caps against the flight’s distance. Short economy jaunts such as Sydney-Melbourne never exceed 12,900 Velocity points, mid-length economy flights like Melbourne-Brisbane don’t surpass 18,900 Velocity points, and east-west routes (e.g. Brisbane-Perth) stop at 26,900 Velocity points. Taxes and fees apply, varying by route.

But because these are the maximum rates, the asking price in points is often lower than this – it’ll just never be more.

Hunt around and you can find short economy flights from just 5900 Velocity points. Mid-length routes begin at 8900 Velocity points, and those transcontinental treks can be had from 13,500 Velocity points (again, plus taxes and fees). Even flights on the same route can cost different amounts – flying earlier or later the same day could save you thousands of points.

Learning a few key terms also avoids being taken for a ride. Qantas “Classic Rewards” are those desirable fixed-cost points seats; usually the best value. But “Classic Plus” flights also appear on the same booking screens, and these aren’t traditional reward seats. While you still use points to book, Classic Plus flights behave like paid airfares: the points cost increases as airfare prices climb, rather than remaining fixed. Avoid them, if you can.

Virgin Australia similarly weaves variably priced “Any Seat” flights into the booking flow. These tickets can cost substantially more points than Virgin’s capped “Reward Seat” rates. Look for the “Economy Reward” option when selecting your flight to avoid being stung.

Book those best-value reward seats and the airlines can be very flexible if your plans change. Qantas allows points bookings to be cancelled online until 24 hours before departure for 6000 points – getting the rest of your points back, along with the taxes paid. Velocity allows the same for 4500 points (domestic) or 7500 points (international), or you can save your points and pay $35 or $60 for the same, respectively.

Domestic Virgin Australia points bookings also include free checked baggage and seat selection – normally chargeable extras on basic “Lite” airfares. Traditional wisdom has been to avoid using Qantas points on Jetstar because cash prices can be low, but its appeal with points is growing. In August 2025, Qantas reduced the number of points needed to secure short Jetstar flights, with routes like Sydney-Melbourne now set at 5700 Qantas points plus $36.29, one-way.

Upcoming changes to Jetstar’s cabin baggage policy also favour those redeeming points. From February 2027, bringing a large cabin bag will attract an extra fee – but those with points will get it free. Points bookings also receive a free checked-baggage allowance at present and gain priority boarding from next year. That alone makes points bookings more valuable.

It’s not only domestic flights where economy can be great value. When you’re already overseas, using points to explore nearby cities on partner airlines is attractive, too. Zip from London to Paris for 11,500 Qantas points on Air France or British Airways, or add Hong Kong into your next Singapore visit for 22,000 Velocity points on Singapore Airlines or 23,000 Qantas points on Cathay Pacific, one-way (plus modest taxes and fees). You get the idea.

Heading to the United States? On US domestic flights, you’ll pay only $US5.60 ($7.94) in tax when spending points. Jet from Los Angeles to San Francisco for 8500 Velocity points on United, or for 9200 Qantas points on Alaska Airlines and American Airlines. Booking these hops as part of an international ticket from Australia can also get your checked-baggage fees waived.

Unlike booking business class, economy points flights also aren’t hard to find. There’s usually greater choice and often more than one seat available on a flight: handy for keeping the family together. Sure, everybody wants a bed in the sky, but getting a bargain can be just as good.