Qantas to offer all seats on A380 flights to frequent flyers

“We’ve had record day after record day of classic reward-seat redemptions.” Olivia Wirth, head of Qantas Loyalty, said in an interview with Bloomberg.

“International flights are the ones our customers want.”

According to Wirth, in the four weeks since NSW first reopened its international border – followed shortly after by Victoria and ACT – Qantas frequent flyers have collectively spent over seven billion points on flight redemptions.

It comes after Qantas alluded in October that it would increase what it dubbed ‘Points Planes’ – where every seat in every cabin on a flight is available to book as a reward seat – as more states and territories ease domestic and international travel restrictions

Wirth confirmed that Qantas’ flagship A380 will be included in the program once the airline reinstates its superjumbos, meaning all 485 seats could be secured with points.

Qantas has drastically brought forward its planned resumption of A380 flights officially to April 2022, however it appears the four-engined jet is already back on the flight schedule from late March.

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The airline currently intends to bring five of its 12 mothballed A380s back into service by the end of 2022 and begin using the superjumbo from Sydney-LA as early as April, and Sydney-London in July.

Meanwhile, frequent flyers can also offload their accrued points through Qantas’ second online frequent flyer points auction, which continues today.

Over nine days, Qantas will send 10 items and experiences to auction, with Qantas frequent flyers free to use up some of their saved-up points on luxurious experiences, holidays and money-can’t-buy collectable items.

As borders finally begin to open, this round of the points auction also includes flights and holiday experiences, such as a ski trip to Whistler in Canada, an eight-night stay in London and a private jet trip to Hamilton Island.

At the time of writing, two auctions have already concluded, while a third is currently underway.

On Wednesday, 1 December, a luxury five-day trip to South Australia, including return business class seats, four nights’ accommodation, a hire car, a wine tour and a 30-minute helicopter ride over the Barossa Valley, was awarded to the highest bidder with a bid of 900,510 points.

Thursday’s auction offered an eight-night stay at a five-star hotel in London, along with business-class return flights, a half-day helicopter tour of the city, plus lunch at Heston Blumenthal’s Michelin-starred restaurant, and more, together valued at over $40,000. The winning bid came in at 2.52 million points.

Friday’s auction is currently underway, with a luxurious New Years’ Eve experience in Sydney up for grabs.

The package includes three nights’ accommodation for two in a King Opera Deluxe room at Park Hyatt Sydney overlooking the Sydney Opera House, dinner for two at the Park Hyatt’s Dining Room, a long champagne lunch for two on 30 December, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne and two pairs of Qantas pyjamas.

At the time of writing, the current bid stands at 600,000 points.

The auctions will continue through to Thursday, 9 December, with the following packages heading under the virtual hammer:

Day 4 – Saturday, 4 December: Winter in Whistler: Luxury ski package

• Two return business flights to Vancouver.
• Six-night stay for two guests at Fairmont Chateau Whistler.
• Four-day ski access at Whistler including equipment rental and lift passes.
• One day private experience on the slopes with an Olympian.
• One full day heli-assisted backcountry ski tour with Extremely Canadian and Blackcomb Helicopters.
• Special private dinner by snowmobile to the Bearfoot Bistro dinner in a private wine cellar experience, including champagne sabering and a trip to the Ketel One Vodka Ice Room.
• Starting bid = 500k Qantas Points

Day 5 – Sunday, 5 December: First Class all the way: Neil Perry x Pommery dining experience

• A five-course bespoke menu created with the freshest seasonal ingredients prepared by Neil Perry for 15 people in Qantas’ First Lounge in Sydney.
• Pommery Champagne on arrival and a Cuvée paired with each course.
• A selection of still wines from the Qantas First Lounge.
• Starting bid = 100k Qantas Points

Day 6 – Monday, 6 December: Tee time: A day on the green at Huntingdale Golf Course

• 18 holes of golf at the members-only Huntingdale Golf course for four people.
• Lunch or dinner (depending on tee time) at the clubhouse restaurant.
• Puma Golf apparel pack for each player.
• Garmin Approach S62 Golf watch for all four players (valued at $799 each).
• Use of Garmin Golf equipment on the day, including rangefinders and launch monitors.
• Starting bid = 100k Qantas Points

Day 7 – Tuesday, 7 December: The private jet set: A luxury day trip to Hamilton Island

• Luxurious private jet, previously owned by the Dutch Royal family, for up to 24 people from Brisbane Airport VIP Terminal to Hamilton Island.
• Champagne and continental breakfast onboard.
• Scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef.
• Luxury, private charter boat to world-famous Whitehaven Beach including a gourmet picnic.
• Visit Catseye Beach by kayak, paddleboard or catamaran or take in the view by the main pool.
• Starting bid = 3.5 million Qantas Points

Day 8 – Wednesday, 8 December: On the pitch with Ricky: Tour the MCG with Ricky Ponting

• A tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground and locker rooms for six people, accompanied by Ricky Ponting, lunch and Ponting Wines wine tasting session.
• Starting bid = 100k Qantas Points

Day 9 – Thursday, 9 December:

Item 1 – Upgrade your lounge room

• A pair of pre-loved A380 premium economy seats
• Also includes a pre-loved, full-sized bar cart including a set of Qantas crockery and cutlery.
• Starting bid = 100k Qantas points

Item 2: Sky-high slumber