Qantas Points Transfer Partners and Redemption Value
Qantas points transfer to a fixed list of airline partners at set conversion rates, usually one point per one mile in the partner's program. The partners span three regions: Asia-Pacific carriers (Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways), Middle Eastern carriers (Emirates, Etihad), and a smaller set of others including Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic. Not all partners accept transfers at the same rate — some require a minimum transfer of 5,000 points, others 10,000 — and the value you get depends on which partner you choose and what seat you book.
The core trade-off is speed versus value. A direct Qantas redemption on a domestic flight might cost 30,000 points for a one-way economy seat. The same distance on a partner airline can sometimes cost fewer points, but only if that partner has availability on the route you want, and only if you transfer your points first. Transfers are when ready, but once points leave your Qantas account, you cannot move them back.
Key Takeaways
- Qantas points convert to partner airline miles at a 1:1 ratio, with minimum transfers ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 points depending on the partner.
- The best value often comes from transferring to Asian carriers like Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific, where award availability tends to be wider than on Qantas itself.
- You must have a frequent flyer account with the partner airline before you transfer points, and transfers are permanent — you cannot reverse them.
- Partner redemptions work best for specific routes where Qantas has limited availability or where the partner airline offers better pricing in their own program.
The Main Qantas Transfer Partners and Their Programs
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is the most commonly used Qantas transfer partner, partly because Singapore Airlines has broad route coverage and regularly releases award inventory. A one-way economy redemption on Singapore Airlines typically costs 35,000 to 50,000 miles depending on distance, which can be cheaper than Qantas for longer routes. Cathay Pacific AsiaMiles works similarly — transfers are when ready, the program has good availability on Asia-Pacific routes, and redemptions often cost 40,000 to 60,000 miles for long-haul economy.
Emirates Skywards accepts Qantas transfers at 1:1 and prices most long-haul economy redemptions between 60,000 and 80,000 miles. The advantage is that Emirates flies to more destinations than Qantas does, so if you need to reach a city Qantas does not serve, Emirates may be your only transfer option. Etihad Guest works the same way but has narrower route coverage. EVA Air, Thai Airways, and Malaysia Airlines are useful for specific regional routes — Thai Airways, for example, has strong availability on Southeast Asia routes that Qantas does not operate.
Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic round out the list. Air France-KLM is worth considering if you need to reach Europe and want to avoid the high Qantas points cost for transatlantic flights. Virgin Atlantic is less commonly used because its award pricing is often higher than Qantas for the same route.
How to Transfer Qantas Points to a Partner Airline
Log into your Qantas Frequent Flyer account online and navigate to the "Transfer Points" section, usually found under "Redeem" or "Use Points". You will see a list of all active transfer partners. Select the partner airline, enter the amount of points you want to transfer (respecting the minimum for that partner), and provide your frequent flyer number with that partner. Qantas will ask you to confirm the transfer once — after confirmation, the points move to the partner's account within minutes.
Before you transfer, make sure you have already opened a frequent flyer account with the partner airline. If you do not have one, create it first and note your membership number. You will need that number to complete the transfer. Some partners offer bonus miles for opening a new account, so check their website before you transfer Qantas points.
After the transfer lands in your partner account, you can search for and book awards directly through that airline's website. Partner airlines do not always show the same award availability as Qantas does, so it is worth checking the partner's own search tool before you transfer, to confirm that the flight you want is actually available at the price you expect.
When Transferring Points Makes Financial Sense
Transferring makes sense when the partner airline offers better award pricing than Qantas for your specific route, or when Qantas has no availability at all. For example, if Qantas wants 80,000 points for a one-way Sydney to Bangkok economy seat but Singapore Airlines prices the same route at 50,000 miles, transferring your Qantas points saves you 30,000 points. The math works even better on longer routes where Qantas pricing is highest.
Transferring also makes sense when you need to reach a destination Qantas does not fly to. If you want to book a flight to a small European city, Qantas may not have a redemption option at all, but Air France-KLM might. In that case, transferring is your only path forward.
Transferring does not make sense if you are chasing a Qantas redemption that is cheaper than any partner option, or if you are only a few thousand points short of a Qantas booking and would have to transfer a large block of points to a partner just to use a small portion of them. Transfers happen in the amount you specify, so if you transfer 10,000 points to Singapore Airlines but only need 7,000 for your flight, you have 3,000 miles sitting unused in that account.
Minimum Transfers and Conversion Rates by Partner
| Partner Airline | Minimum Transfer | Conversion Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 5,000 points | 1:1 |
| Cathay Pacific AsiaMiles | 5,000 points | 1:1 |
| Emirates Skywards | 5,000 points | 1:1 |
| Etihad Guest | 5,000 points | 1:1 |
| EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | 10,000 points | 1:1 |
| Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus | 10,000 points | 1:1 |
| Malaysia Airlines Enrich | 10,000 points | 1:1 |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | 5,000 points | 1:1 |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 5,000 points | 1:1 |
What Happens After You Transfer: Booking and Using Partner Miles
Once your points land in a partner account, you search for awards using that airline's website or app. Partner airlines show their own award calendar, which may differ from what Qantas displays. Some partners release award seats in waves or on specific days, so the flight you want might not show up when ready after your transfer. Check the partner's website a few days before you plan to book, to see when they typically release inventory.
When you find an award you want to book, you proceed through the partner's booking system just as you would if you were a member of that airline's own frequent flyer program. You will need to provide passenger details, seat preferences, and any special requests. Most partners charge fuel surcharges on long-haul awards, which Qantas does not, so your total cost may be higher than the mile price alone suggests. Check the partner's terms before you book.
If your booking is with a partner airline, your ticket will be issued in that airline's name, not Qantas. If you need to make changes or cancel, you contact the partner airline directly, not Qantas. Qantas cannot modify or cancel a booking made through a partner program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer Qantas points to multiple partner airlines for the same trip?
Yes. You can transfer points to different partners and book separate flights with each one. For example, you could transfer points to Singapore Airlines for the first leg of your journey and to Cathay Pacific for the second leg. Just remember that each transfer is permanent, so plan your entire itinerary before you start moving points around.
What if I transfer points and then find out the flight is no longer available?
Once points are transferred to a partner, Qantas cannot reverse the transfer. If the flight you wanted is no longer available, you will need to book a different flight with those partner miles, or contact the partner airline to see if they can hold a booking while you search for alternatives. Plan your booking carefully before you transfer.
Do I earn Qantas points when I fly on a partner airline award ticket?
No. Award tickets booked with partner miles do not earn Qantas points. You may earn miles in the partner airline's program if you are a member, depending on that airline's rules, but Qantas does not credit points for partner redemptions.
Is there a time limit on how long I can hold transferred points in a partner account?
That depends on the partner airline's own policy. Most partners have an expiration policy — typically miles expire after three to five years of inactivity. Check the partner's terms before you transfer, and use your miles within their stated timeframe.
Can I transfer points back from a partner airline to Qantas?
No. Transfers are one-way only. Once points leave your Qantas account, they belong to the partner airline and cannot be moved back to Qantas. This is why it is important to be certain about your booking before you transfer.