Your Weekend Qantas Points Guide: Simple Habits That Build Big Balances Over Time
Most people assume you need to fly to earn Qantas Points — but after more than ten years earning hundreds of thousands of points on the ground, I’ve found that some of the biggest wins actually happen on the weekends.
Not because I’m spending more.
But because I’m being intentional about the spending I’d already be doing.
The weekend is when most of us finally get around to groceries, fuel, online shopping, buying gifts, grabbing a bottle of wine, catching up with friends, or planning nights out. These aren’t “points hacks” — they’re normal parts of everyday life. But with a few small adjustments, they become powerful earn opportunities that quietly compound over time.
Below is the exact set of weekend habits I personally use (and teach my clients) to consistently grow a Qantas Points balance without changing my lifestyle.
1. Fuel + Groceries: The Always-On Earn
If you only focus on one strategy this weekend, make it this one.
Fuel: BP or Ampol
BP earns Qantas Points directly.
Ampol earns Everyday Rewards → Qantas (when your accounts are linked).
It’s not unusual for a simple weekend fill-up to give your balance a tidy bump — and when this becomes a weekly habit, the numbers climb faster than most people expect.
Groceries: Link Everyday Rewards → Qantas
Thousands of people shop at Woolworths, BIG W, and BWS every weekend without linking their Everyday Rewards account to Qantas. That’s free points left on the table.
A simple example:
Over the last few weeks, my partner and I took advantage of a Woolworths promotion during our normal shops and ended up with an extra 18,000 Everyday Rewards points (9000 Qantas points). No extra spend — just smart timing.
The takeaway:
These two habits alone — fuel + groceries — quietly generate thousands of points over a year with zero extra effort.
2. Qantas Shopping: Black Friday’s Best Multiplier
Qantas Shopping is one of the most effective ways to earn large volumes of points during sale periods like Black Friday.
When you shop through the Qantas Shopping portal, you earn Qantas Points on top of retailer loyalty programs and your credit card points. During big sales, retailers often boost their earn rates — sometimes significantly — making this weekend one of the highest-value times of the year to take advantage.
My personal results
By planning purchases around strong promotions and consistently using the portal, I’ve earned over 100,000 Qantas Points from Qantas Shopping alone.
To put that into perspective:
100,000 points is roughly enough for a one-way Business Class flight to Europe.
And that’s just from everyday purchases routed through the right portal.
3. Qantas Wine: My Highest-Yield Weekend Habit
Qantas Wine is one of the most misunderstood partners in the Qantas ecosystem. People see it as “just buying wine,” but when you understand how the bonus offers work, it becomes one of the strongest earn opportunities available.
Why Qantas Wine is so effective
The real power comes from the bonus point case offers.
It’s common to see:
10,000–30,000 bonus points per case, and
Elevated earn rates during promotions (e.g. 3–9 points per dollar) depending on the offer and your membership level.
When you factor in the bonus points relative to the price of a case, the effective earn rate can easily be 20, 30, or even 40+ points per dollar.
My real results: 250,000 points in three years
By timing my purchases during strong promotions, I’ve earned over 250,000 Qantas Points from Qantas Wine over the last three years.
That’s enough for a return Business Class trip from Australia to Europe — just from buying wine I enjoy, share with family, and give as gifts.
Why weekends matter
Many Qantas Wine promotions start or finish on Fridays or Sundays.
A quick browse on the weekend can be the difference between a normal case of wine and a huge points boost.
4. Gift Cards via Qantas Marketplace: The Weekend Sleeper Strategy
Qantas Marketplace isn’t just for retail items — it’s one of the best places to earn points on gift cards, which is one of the simplest ways to add points to spending you already do.
Think about your weekend spending:
Going out for dinner
Catching up with friends
Buying gifts
Booking concerts or events
Shopping for household items
How gift cards fit in
Instead of paying the restaurant, Ticketmaster, or retailer directly, buying a gift card through Qantas Marketplace earns points upfront — and then you spend the gift card exactly as normal.
Gift cards commonly available include:
Restaurant groups
Ticketmaster or Ticketek
JB Hi-Fi
Rebel Sport
The Iconic
Myer
…and many more.
My personal experience
This has been a big part of my strategy this year.
When dining or entertainment gift cards go on promotion, I use them for everything from dinners with friends to family outings. It’s spending I’m already doing — but with points attached.
The takeaway:
If you’re going out or celebrating this weekend, using gift cards through Qantas Marketplace can turn normal plans into meaningful points earners.
5. Quick Wins That Don’t Need Planning
Not every weekend needs a full strategy. Here are a few light, consistent habits that add up quickly:
Use a Qantas-earning credit card for weekend purchases.
Check for bonus offers before you buy online or book anything.
Delay non-urgent purchases until a strong promotion appears.
Small choices repeated often make the biggest long-term impact.
Conclusion: Build a Lifestyle That Earns Points Automatically
After more than a decade of earning Qantas Points on the ground, I’ve learned that the best results don’t come from hacks or loopholes — they come from building a lifestyle that quietly earns points in the background.
Fuel, groceries, online shopping — these aren’t special activities. They’re normal parts of everyday life. But when you approach them intentionally, especially on the weekend, they compound into something meaningful.
This guide isn’t about spending more money.
It’s about spending smarter, in ways that align with your lifestyle, your habits, and your goals and showing you the opportunities that are available, if you’re interested in taking them.
If you can weave even two or three of these habits into your weekends, you’ll notice the difference faster than you expect.
✈️ Want to Go Deeper? Here’s What’s Next
If you’re ready to take your strategy further, here are two ways to build on what you’ve learned:
1. Explore The Points Pilot Guides
My Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Guides break down the exact earning strategies I use — tailored to different levels of engagement and annual points targets.
They’re the easiest way to turn this weekend approach into a structured, year-round plan.
2. Book a Personalised Strategy Consultation
If you’d prefer a custom-built, lifestyle-aligned Qantas Points plan, you can book a one-on-one consult.
We’ll build a comprehensive strategy specific to your goals, spending patterns, and travel aspirations.