Qantas Frequent Flyer puts up joining fee
But here's why that $99.50 charge doesn't matter.
Qantas Frequent Flyer is one of the few frequent flyer schemes that charges a joining fee. In 2018, new members in Australia had to pay $89.50. To mark the new year, Qantas has lifted the price to $99.50.
Relative to the potential value you can get from your points, that's arguably a worthwhile sum anyway. If you're going to score a free flight worth thousands of dollars and have set your goals accordingly, then the $99.50 is just part of the opportunity cost. That said, no-one should actually have to pay this fee.
There are lots of ways you can sign up to Qantas Frequent Flyer without actually paying the joining fee, including getting a Qantas-earning credit card or signing up through a partner like Woolworths or Deliveroo. Our detailed guide outlines more of the options.
It's also worth remembering that for most people, this is a non-issue anyway. There are more than 12.3 million people signed up to the frequent flyer scheme, according to Qantas' most recent annual report. It's a one-off charge, so you don't have to pay it more than once. It also seems highly likely that many of those members signed up via Woolworths Rewards and hence didn't pay anything in the first place.
Angus Kidman's Findings column looks at new developments and research that help you save money, make wise decisions and enjoy your life more. It appears regularly on finder.com.au.
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