How Qantas Points Are Really Earned (On the Ground, Not in the Air)

Most people assume Qantas Points are earned in the air.

You fly more, you earn more points. Simple.

It’s a logical assumption — and it’s also the reason many people feel like they’re trying to earn points but never quite getting ahead.

The reality is quieter, and a little less exciting:

Most Qantas Points are earned on the ground, in everyday life — not on flights.

Once you understand that, the whole system starts to make a lot more sense.

The Core Misunderstanding

Flights do earn points. But for most people, they’re:

• Infrequent

• Irregular

• Hard to control

You might fly a few times a year. Your everyday spending happens every single day.

That’s where the real leverage is — not because you’re spending more money, but because you’re directing money you already spend more intentionally.

1. How You Spend (Structure Beats Effort)

Everyone already has everyday spending. That part is unavoidable:

• Groceries

• Fuel

• Utilities and household bills

• Insurance and subscriptions

• Online and in‑store shopping

Where people go wrong is assuming points are earned by adding spending, rather than directing spending that already exists.

In practice, “how you spend” is about asking:

Is my everyday money flowing through channels that actually earn Qantas Points?

When those transactions are aligned with programs that feed into Qantas Frequent Flyer, points start accumulating consistently without changing spending behaviour.

For many Australians, this means everyday ecosystems — things like supermarket rewards programs, fuel partners, and payment methods — quietly doing the work in the background. In the Qantas context, this often includes grocery spend flowing through Woolworths Everyday Rewards, fuel spend flowing through BP Rewards, and everyday payments being made on a Qantas Frequent Flyer–earning credit card.

The same applies to bills and larger recurring expenses. Many people treat these as “points‑dead” categories, even though they represent a significant portion of annual spend — particularly when they’re paid using a points‑earning credit card rather than direct debit or cash.

The key idea here isn’t optimisation or deal‑chasing. It’s intentional routing:

• Everyday spend should earn something

• Large recurring costs shouldn’t be ignored

• Payment methods should support your points goal, not undermine it

When this is set up properly, points are earned quietly, week after week, without conscious effort.

2. Who You’re Loyal To (Loyalty Is Directional)

Loyalty is often misunderstood.

It’s not about liking a brand, chasing specials, or being “locked in”. It’s about where your normal spending is focused.

Everyday spending categories — groceries, fuel, shopping, insurance, travel — always feed into some system, whether you think about it or not. In most cases, unless you consciously do something about it, that system isn’t yours. In those instances, you’re missing out while others are profiting off your spending habits.

The problem most people face isn’t a lack of loyalty. It’s fragmented loyalty.

Many people earn a small number of points across multiple ecosystems:

• Some Qantas Points here

• Some Velocity Points there

• Other rewards scattered across cashback or retailer‑specific programs

On paper, this feels flexible. In practice, it dilutes momentum.

Points strategies work best when there is a clear primary program — a place where the majority of everyday earning is directed.

Concentrating earning toward one frequent flyer ecosystem creates leverage:

• Balances grow faster

• Redemptions become achievable sooner

• Status thresholds (e.g. Points Club) become realistic

This doesn’t mean other programs are “bad” or should never be used.

Woolworths Everyday Rewards and BP Rewards are simply examples of directional loyalty within the Qantas ecosystem. The broader point is not which brands you choose, but that your everyday loyalty consistently feeds into one primary frequent flyer program.

When it comes to points earning, focus beats diversification.

For people aiming to use Qantas Points meaningfully, aligning everyday loyalty around the Qantas ecosystem is far more effective than spreading effort thinly across multiple programs.

3. Connecting the System (Where Most People Lose Value)

This is where everything either compounds — or quietly leaks value.

You can be spending well and loyal to good partners, but still miss out if those decisions don’t connect back to one central system.

Connection is about alignment.

A well‑designed points setup:

• Has a clear “home” program (for example, Qantas Frequent Flyer)

• Ensures everyday earning feeds back into that program

• Avoids unnecessary detours that strand points elsewhere

Without this connection, people often feel like they’re doing the right things, but results stay underwhelming.

Points end up split across programs, trapped below useful thresholds, or expiring before they can be used.

When the system is connected:

• Everyday decisions reinforce each other

• Points balances build momentum

• Promotions and bonuses have something to amplify

This is the difference between earning points occasionally and earning them predictably.

Who This Approach Works Best For

This approach works best for people who:

• Have regular everyday spending (groceries, fuel, bills, shopping)

• Want to earn points consistently without changing their lifestyle

• Prefer clarity and simplicity over juggling multiple rewards programs

• Would rather build one meaningful points balance than several small ones

If you fly occasionally — or even frequently — this approach still applies. It simply ensures the time between trips is doing as much work as the trips themselves.

Where Flying Actually Fits In

Flights aren’t irrelevant — they’re just misunderstood.

Flying tends to be the reward trigger, not the main earning engine.

When the ground game is set up properly:

• Flights top things up

• Status accelerates outcomes

• Redemptions become realistic

But without that foundation, flying alone rarely gets people where they want to go.

A Simple Way to Visualise the System

Think of Qantas Points as a flow, not a collection exercise:

Everyday life
Groceries · Fuel · Bills · Shopping

⬇️

Payment & loyalty layer
Rewards programs + Qantas‑earning credit cards

⬇️

Qantas Frequent Flyer
Points accumulate consistently over time

⬇️

Flights & upgrades
The outcome — not the engine

When the flow is clear and aligned, points compound quietly in the background.

The Big Takeaway

Earning Qantas Points isn’t about doing more.

It’s about aligning what you already do so it works together instead of against you.

Get the structure right on the ground, and points stop feeling like something you have to chase.

Flying becomes the bonus — not the plan.

If you want help building this properly, this is exactly what I break down in my guides and consulting. No hype. No hacks. Just a system that actually fits real life.

Your Points Balance Isn’t the Goal — The Moments You Create With It Are

The High of Watching Your Balance Rise

There’s a reason Instagram is full of screenshots showing off 250,000… 400,000… 1,000,000 points.
It looks like an achievement.
It feels like progress.
It gives you the dopamine hit of “I’m getting somewhere” or “I’m winning”.

And I get it — I used to chase that feeling too.

I’d refresh the Qantas app after a big Marketplace haul or a wine bonus kicking in, just to see that counter jump. For a moment, you feel clever. You feel like your system is paying off.

But the truth is this:
The high is temporary.

A day later — sometimes an hour later — you’re already looking for the next offer, the next bonus, the next jump in points.

In that cycle, something gets lost:
The actual reason you started earning points.

The Moment That Actually Matters

The most valuable points moments I’ve had in 10+ years of earning points have nothing to do with the number in my app.

They happened when I was:

• sitting in business class on a long-haul flight next to someone I love

• booking a trip I never would’ve paid cash for

• surprising someone with an upgrade

• turning a standard holiday into something unforgettable

• flying somewhere incredible for almost nothing out of pocket

In those moments, my points balance never crossed my mind.
Because the joy doesn’t come from having points — it comes from using them.

It comes from the experience points unlock, not the balance itself.

Why a Points Balance Can Become a Distraction

1. You Start Thinking Like a Collector, Not a Traveller

Instead of planning meaningful redemptions, you start planning ways to make the number bigger.
You chase promotions that don’t align with your goals.
You focus on accumulation instead of value.

The balance becomes the mission, not the travel.

2. You Become More Comfortable Wasting Points

This is the part nearly every points-earner learns the hard way — I certainly did.

A large balance tempts you to say things like:

• “It’s fine, I’ve got heaps.”

• “I’ll just use points for this item.”

• “That flight isn’t great value, but whatever — I can afford it.”

The more points you have, the easier it becomes to throw them around.

But when you’re closer to your goal — when you have just enough for a dream redemption — your behaviour changes:

• you’re more deliberate

• you protect your points

• you focus on high-value outcomes

• you avoid unnecessary spending

Ironically, having fewer points often makes you a smarter points user than having many.

3. You Miss Out on the High-Value Redemptions

The redemptions worth thousands of dollars — the big wins — come from intentional planning, not hoarding.

But when your balance is huge, you’re less motivated to:

• track availability

• look for sweet spots

• time your redemptions

• align points with real travel goals

A large balance can create complacency, and complacency is expensive.

4. You Lose Connection to Your ‘Why’

You started earning points to travel better.
To unlock experiences.
To create moments with meaning.

Not to watch a number climb endlessly for its own sake.

So let’s call it what it is:

More points. More casual spending. More drift.
Less purpose, less planning, less joy.

When the pursuit becomes the number, everything else fades.

Systems > Hoarding

The most effective points strategies aren’t built on hacks or Instagram-worthy balances.

They’re built on:

• predictable earning

• smart use of Qantas partners and their offers

• stacking where it makes sense

• intentional, goal-aligned redemptions

A system gives you clarity and direction.
A balance alone gives you noise.

A system gets you onto flights.
A balance just sits there.

So Here’s Your Reminder

If you’re deep in the points world, it’s normal to think the goal is “more.”
More earning.
More offers.
More Qantas partners to switch your spending to.

But the real goal is the experience — the moment points unlock.

Because:
Your points balance isn’t the achievement.
The memories you create with it are.

Want a System That Actually Gets You Flying?

If you want a simple, structured approach that earns consistently and moves you closer to the moments that matter:

• Download my free Qantas Points Starter Kit, or

• Choose the Points Guide that matches your level, or

• Book in a personalised consultation to build a unique system around your life.

Qantas Points. Made simple.

Qantas Marketplace Review: Is It Worth Using in 2025?

Qantas Marketplace has become one of the most reliable ways to earn points consistently without changing your lifestyle or chasing complicated “point hacks.” It’s the everyday, predictable backbone of many strong points strategies — mine included.

Below is a calm, straightforward review of what it does well, where you need to be mindful, and how you can use it strategically rather than reactively.

What Qantas Marketplace Does Well

✔ Everyday earn rate: 3 points per dollar

Most Marketplace purchases earn 3 Qantas Points per dollar, which is already higher than what many retail partners offer outside of promotions. This is before the layering effect that comes from using a point-earning credit card, meaning that under the right circumstances, purchases through the Qantas Marketplace can earn up to 6.25 points per dollar - an exceptionally high, consistent figure.

✔ Regular bonus point offers — sometimes huge

Marketplace frequently runs targeted bonuses such as:

• 5,000 bonus points on selected items

• 10,000+ bonus points for higher-value purchases

• 30,000+ bonus points during seasonal or brand-specific promotions

These bonuses can turn an otherwise ordinary purchase into an extremely high-value earn opportunity — if it’s something you were planning to buy anyway and are in addition to the points earned above.

✔ Seamless online shopping experience

The benefit of shopping directly through an official Qantas checkout means:

• No tracking issues (compared to Qantas Shopping)

• Reliable points posting

• Transparent promotion descriptions

• All purchases consolidated under your Qantas account

This takes some of the stress and guesswork out of earning.

The Big One: Gift Cards on Qantas Marketplace

This deserves its own section because it’s genuinely one of the most powerful foundational tools for building a consistent, repeatable Qantas Points system.

✔ Why gift cards matter so much

Gift cards purchased through Qantas Marketplace:

• Earn points immediately (minimum 3 points per dollar)

• Frequently include bonus points per dollar (e.g. 10x points on Apple gift cards at the time of writing)

• Are delivered digitally — zero tampering risk

• Can be stacked with credit-card points

• Can be used for purchases you were already planning to make

✔ Why I use them regularly

In my own strategy, I buy these gift cards:

• Woolworths

• Apple

• TCN Restaurant

• Rebel Sport

• And others when relevant

These are categories most people spend on anyway. Stocking up when a bonus offer drops guarantees a great return if you can afford to pre-spend.

This is not a hack — it’s simply aligning your future spend with the highest earn rate available.

For many people, gift cards alone make Qantas Marketplace worth using.

Where You Should Be Cautious

Marketplace is excellent — but not perfect. Here are the main considerations:

⚠ Sometimes brand sales are replicated… but not always

Many branded products go on sale at the same time across the internet. Often, but not always, Qantas Marketplace matches those sale prices.
It’s always worth cross-checking:

• The brand’s website

• Other major retailers

• Cashback sites (if relevant)

⚠ Avoid buying purely for the points

Points should make a good purchase better.
They shouldn’t justify a purchase you didn’t need.

⚠ Delivery times and returns vary by vendor

Marketplace acts as a storefront for multiple brands.
Return policies and shipping speeds follow the brand, not Qantas.

Is Qantas Marketplace Worth Using?

Yes — for most people, it’s one of the simplest and most consistent ways to grow your Qantas Points balance.

You don’t need to chase obscure hacks or overspend.
You simply need to:

1. Shop for what you already buy

2. Watch for bonus point events

3. Build a smart gift card strategy

4. Avoid impulse purchases

Marketplace supports the philosophy behind The Points Pilot:
Earn more by being strategic, not by spending more.

Want personalised help?

If you’re unsure how Marketplace fits into your broader Qantas Points system — or you want a structured earning plan aligned to your real spending — I can walk you through it. Check out one of our comprehensive guides or if you want a personalised plan, book a consulting session.

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.