10 of the best uses of Qantas Points from Australia’s east coast

Do you live in or near Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane and have a stash of Qantas Points that you don’t know what to do with? You’re in luck – there are plenty of ways to maximise the value of your Qantas Points when flying from Australia’s east coast. In no particular order, here are a few of our favourite Business and First Class redemptions.

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With some healthy Qantas credit card bonus offers, you’ll be on your way to one of these redemptions soon!

1. Qantas Business Class to Auckland

Cost: 41,500 Qantas Points + fees and taxes

Qantas has numerous daily flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to New Zealand’s largest city. Most of these routes are operated by a Boeing 737. They have the same recliner Business seat that you would find on a domestic flight within Australia.

But on some departures from Brisbane, you’ll find an Airbus A330. Business on this aircraft features direct aisle access for all passengers and a lie-flat seat. That’s useful in case you want to take a nap on the short hop across the Tasman.

Alternatively, Qantas’ QF3 route from Sydney to New York goes via Auckland, and you can book the Sydney-Auckland leg separately. Spread out in the comfort of Business onboard a Boeing 787 – undoubtedly one of the best ways to fly between Australia and New Zealand.

2. Qantas Business or First to the US

Cost: from 108,400 Qantas Points for Business, 162,800 Qantas Points for First, plus fees and taxes

Qantas flies direct to Los Angeles from all three major Australian east coast cities. It also operates flights to New York, Honolulu, San Francisco and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Most of Qantas’ flights between Australia and the US are on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, where you’ll find three cabins – Economy, Premium Economy and Business. The latter is already a comfortable experience for the 13-hour-plus journey over the Pacific.

But on select flights between Sydney/Melbourne and Los Angeles, you’ll have a fourth option – Qantas First. The Airbus A380 superjumbo is on rotation, which offers an exceptional premium cabin experience plus an in-flight lounge. You’ll also have access to the spectacular Qantas First lounges in Sydney or Melbourne, which are worth arriving at the airport early for.

Alternatively, oneworld member American Airlines also flies between Los Angeles and Sydney. American Airlines uses the same Classic Flight Reward table as Qantas, meaning you’ll pay the same amount of points to fly Business or First

3. Fiji Airways Business Class to Fiji or North America

Cost: from 41,500 Qantas Points + fees and taxes

Craving an island getaway but don’t want to break the bank? Consider using your Qantas Points to fly with Fiji Airways. There are direct flights to Nadi from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra. Some of these routes, though, are serviced by a narrowbody Boeing 737 MAX. While Business is available on this aircraft, the reclining seat will make you feel more like you’re on a domestic flight – not soaring towards an island paradise.

The good news is that select flights between the east coast and Nadi are on Fiji Airways’ flagship Airbus A350, which is the best way to fly between Australia and Fiji. But if you’re unable to snare a seat on the A350, Fiji Airways also uses an Airbus A330 on some routes, which still makes for a comfortable journey.

Nadi is a perfect holiday destination itself – but it’s also an ideal connecting point if you’re flying onward to North America. Fiji Airways’ network extends to Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Dallas-Fort Worth. So if you’re struggling to find availability on nonstop Qantas or American Airlines flights to the US, you may have better luck breaking up your journey by flying via Nadi.

4. Japan Airlines Business Class or First Class to Japan

Cost: 90,000 Qantas Points for Business Class, 129,300 Qantas Points for First Class, plus fees and taxes

Travel from Australia to Japan has skyrocketed over the last few years, and with good reason. The country is brimming with delicious food, awe-inspiring landmarks and unrivalled hospitality. Your itinerary may include the most popular cities – Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto – or a more off-the-beaten-path experience, like a road trip around Kyushu.

Japan Airlines, a oneworld airline, can whisk you directly from Melbourne or Sydney to Tokyo. You’ll enjoy lie-flat comfort from Melbourne flying JAL Business Class on a Boeing 787. Or, take things up a notch by flying JAL First Class on its Boeing 777 out of Sydney. Either way, you’ll be treated to exquisite dining, ample amenities and world-class service in the sky.

5. China Airlines Business Class to Taipei or Auckland

Cost: 43,800 Qantas Points to Auckland, 75,000 Qantas Points to Taipei, plus fees and taxes

Taiwan-based China Airlines is a Qantas partner and operates direct flights from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to its Taipei hub. It also has a regular fifth-freedom flight from Brisbane-Auckland, as well as a seasonal Melbourne-Auckland service.

All of China Airlines’ flights from Australia are on its Airbus A350, featuring its stylish ‘Premium Business Class‘. On its Brisbane/Melbourne to Auckland routes in particular, this product surpasses any other airline’s offering. If available, you’ll find China Airlines flights when searching for Classic Flight Rewards on the Qantas website.

Also read: How to book a Classic Flight Reward seat with Qantas Points

6. Emirates First Class to Dubai or Christchurch

Cost: 64,500 Qantas Points to Christchurch, 170,800 Qantas Points to Dubai, plus fees and taxes

Ever wanted to sample the luxuries of First Class? Well, it’s easier – and cheaper – than you may think. Emirates operates a fifth-freedom route from Sydney to Christchurch using an Airbus A380, which features one of the best First Class products in the world. This flight will set you back a mere 64,500 Qantas Points, with the cash co-payment clocking in at under $200.

Alternatively, you could also fly Emirates First Class from Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane to Dubai for considerably more Qantas Points. Note that Emirates’ fees and taxes are notoriously hefty on reward flights, so you can expect higher fees and charges when flying between Australia and Dubai.

7. Round-the-world in Business Class

Cost: 318,000 Qantas Points + fees and taxes

If you’re flush with Qantas Points from a credit card sign-up bonus, splashing them on a trip around the world in a lie-flat seat is a realistic proposition.

A oneworld Classic Flight Reward allows you to take up to 15 flights covering up to 35,000 miles with Qantas and oneworld partner airlines. You don’t have to actually circle the globe. A oneworld Classic Flight Reward is excellent value if you’re planning to visit a few different cities across multiple continents.

It can take a fair bit of planning to determine your routing and find reward seat availability. If you need assistance booking your round-the-world trip using points, Point Hacks offers a bespoke reward seat booking service.

8. Malaysia Airlines Business Class to Kuala Lumpur

Cost: 75,000 Qantas Points + fees and taxes

Malaysia’s national carrier currently flies to Kuala Lumpur from Melbourne and Sydney (plus Perth and Adelaide), with its Brisbane service set to resume in early 2025. While its current Airbus A330 – the same aircraft that services Australia’s east coast – is looking a little tired, Malaysia Airlines’ new Airbus A330neo will be rolled out across its network starting in 2025. This means Australians can look forward to a refreshed Business Class experience en route to Kuala Lumpur.

Speaking of which, Kuala Lumpur is an ideal launchpad for other destinations across Asia. Or, fly to Paris or London from Australia with only a single stop.

Malaysia Airlines reward seats can be booked on the Qantas website, and availability is generally good when you book ahead. Reward seats on the A330neo, including in Business Class, are currently available out of Melbourne from around October 2025.

9. Cathay Pacific Business Class to Hong Kong

Cost: 75,000 Qantas Points + fees and taxes

Cathay Pacific, a oneworld airline, offers a high-frequency schedule between Australia and Hong Kong, then onto a wide network of destinations. When flying from Melburne, Sydney or Brisbane, you’ll enjoy a solid onboard experience in Business Class, which includes a lie-flat seat.

Here’s what you can expect when flying Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class between Hong Kong and Melbourne.

10. SriLankan Airlines Business Class to Colombo

Cost: 90,000 Qantas Points + fees and taxes

SriLankan Airlines, another oneworld member, operates direct flights from Melbourne and Sydney to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital.

Its flagship Business Class onboard the Airbus A330 delivers exceptional Sri Lankan hospitality and a flatbed for the 10-hour flight to Colombo.

Sri Lanka is a diverse destination, and you can easily use Colombo as your starting point for a seven-day adventure around Sri Lanka, like we did. Alternatively, you could use it as a stopover point when flying to Frankfurt, Paris or London with SriLankan Airlines.

What about other cities on the east coast?

Depending on the specific trip you’re taking, you may get a domestic connection included for free or for a small number of points. It just depends on the total length of the route and where that falls in the Qantas award chart. It usually won’t be more than 18,400 extra points in Business Class.

If you live in other places in Queensland like the Sunshine Coast or Townsville, then it makes the most sense to connect through Brisbane.

Those living in a regional New South Wales city are best connecting through Sydney. If you’re in Canberra, then you can fly through either Sydney or Melbourne.

If you live in Tasmania, then it’s best to connect through Melbourne, but you could also go through Sydney.

And, though technically not the east coast, those living in Adelaide have the option of connecting through either of the three cities, depending on where you’re travelling to.

Summing up

Qantas has a strong presence in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. A number of its partners like Emirates, Cathay Pacific and China Airlines do also.

That means that using your Qantas Points for a good-value Business or First Class redemption to travel overseas is an easy proposition.

Just make sure you know how reward seats work and how to efficiently search for a reward seat. Or, get in touch with our Concierge service for expert assistance on finding reward seats.

Also read: Our 8 favourite uses of Qantas Points from Perth

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