Qantas Frequent Flyer: Classic Plus Fare vs. Classic Fare vs. Pointrs Lowest Fare

Qantas Frequent Flyer - Classic Plus Fare Vs Classic Fare Vs Pointrs Lowest Fare

Avid points collectors and frequent flyers would be aware that Qantas recently introduced Classic Plus fares. Classic Plus fares allow you to use your Qantas Frequent Flyer Qantas Points to book reward flights, in addition to their Classic fares, which are considered their “normal” points fares.

About Qantas Frequent Flyer Classic Plus Fares

Qantas Frequent Flyer Classic Plus fares have been introduced to provide far greater availability of reward seats to book using Qantas Frequent Flyer Qantas Points. They are designed to alleviate the difficulty in finding reward seats using Classic fares. However, as this blog shows, they come with a downside.

Here’s a few things to note with Qantas Frequent Flyer Classic Plus fares:

• Fares are directly related to current cash prices – the higher the cash price, the higher the points, and vice-versa

• Current cash prices also include any sale fares, meaning Classic Plus fares will be lower during cash fare sales

• Only available on Qantas flights

• Only available on international flights, with domestic flights available later in the year

• Upgradeable, like Classic fares

• Can combine different classes in the same booking

• Can combine Classic Plus fares and Classic fares in the same booking

• Same change and cancellation policies and fees as Classic fares

• No Points or Status Credit earn (except for Points Club members), like Classic fares

• Since return cash fares are normally cheaper than two one-way cash fares, return Classic Plus fares are normally cheaper than two one-way Classic Plus fares

• Taxes, fees and surcharges are payable and are the same as you would pay with a Classic fare

How Are Qantas Frequent Flyer Classic Plus Fares Calculated?

As mentioned, Classic Plus fares are directly related to current cash fares, including sale fares, and here’s how.

For economy class fares:

Classic Plus fare = Cash fare before any taxes, fees and surcharges x 100

So, for every 1c of cash fare, you will need 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer Qantas Point.

For premium economy, business and first class fares:

Classic Plus fare = Cash fare before any taxes, fees and surcharges x 100 x 2/3

So, for every 1.5c of cash fare, you will need 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer Qantas Point.

Qantas Frequent Flyer Classic Plus Fare Calculation Example

Here’s an example of a Classic Plus fare calculation.

Class: Business

Cash Fare: $2,390

Taxes, fees and surcharges: $269

Classic Plus Fare

= Cash fare before taxes, fees and surcharges x 100 x 2/3

= ($2,390 - $269) x 100 x 2/3

= $2,121 x 100 x 2/3

= 141,400 Qantas Points

How Do Qantas Frequent Flyer Classic Plus Fares Compare To Their Classic Fares And How Do Both Compare To Pointrs Lowest Fares?

So, how more expensive are Classic Plus fares normally compared to Classic fares and Pointrs lowest fares?

The best way to compare is by using a few Pointrs examples.

Pointr #6257: Fly Brisbane to Auckland Business Return with Qantas (non-stop)

The Qantas Classic fare is 41% cheaper than the Qantas Classic Plus fare.

Pointrs Lowest fare is 78% cheaper than the Qantas Classic Plus fare and 63% cheaper than the Qantas Classic fare.

Pointr #414: Fly Sydney to Fiji Business Return with Qantas (non-stop)

The Qantas Classic fare is 63% cheaper than the Qantas Classic Plus fare.

Pointrs Lowest fare is 80% cheaper than the Qantas Classic Plus fare and 46% cheaper than the Qantas Classic fare.

Pointr #6404: Fly Melbourne to Bali Economy Return with Qantas (non-stop)

The Qantas Classic fare is 55% cheaper than the Qantas Classic Plus fare.

Pointrs Lowest fare is 71% cheaper than the Qantas Classic Plus fare and 35% cheaper than the Qantas Classic fare.

Pointr #370: Fly Sydney to Dallas Business Return with Qantas (non-stop)

The Qantas Classic fare is 76% cheaper than the Qantas Classic Plus fare.

Pointrs Lowest Fare is 85% cheaper than the Qantas Classic Plus fare and 36% cheaper than the Qantas Classic fare.

Pointr #5147: Fly Melbourne to London Business Return with Qantas (via Perth)

The Qantas Classic fare is 52% cheaper than the Qantas Classic Plus fare.

Pointrs Lowest fare is 72% cheaper than the Qantas Classic Plus fare and 41% cheaper than the Qantas Classic fare.

Pointr #5137: Fly Sydney to Tokyo Business Return with Qantas (non-stop)

The Qantas Classic fare is 58% cheaper than the Qantas Classic Plus fare.

Pointrs Lowest fare is 79% cheaper than the Qantas Classic Plus fare and 51% cheaper than the Qantas Classic fare.

As you can see, Qantas Classic fares are normally considerable cheaper than Qantas Classic Plus fares.

However, Pointrs lowest fares are considerably cheaper than both Qantas Classic Plus fares and Qantas Classic fares. And these are just a few examples of many.

Keep in mind that if a flight has a Qantas Classic Plus fare, it means you will need to fly on a different flight if you want to fly using a Qantas Classic fare. Usually the same applies for Pointrs lowest fare. Having said that, that could simply mean a different flight on the same day, or a flight only one or a few days difference. Also note that availability of reward seats varies between loyalty programs, along with any taxes, fees and surcharges.

Key Takeaway

The bottom line is that it is hard to justify using Qantas Points to book Qantas Frequent Flyer Classic Plus reward seats, despite higher availability compared to Qantas Frequent Flyer Classic reward seats. And although there is currently nothing to suggest it, it is also hoped that the higher availability of Classic Plus reward seats does not come at the expense of lower availability of Classic reward seats. Regardless, you’ll generally find that Pointrs lowest fare can be considerably cheaper than both, making it often hard to justify using Qantas Points to book either Qantas Classic Plus reward seats or Qantas Classic reward seats.