Qantas Frequent Flyers can now use and earn points on Australia’s premium railway journeys

Qantas Frequent Flyers

In an unprecedented move for two of the country’s biggest travel operators, Qantas Frequent Flyers are now able to earn, and use, points on premium train trips with Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions. That means interstate trips on historic trains The Ghan, Indian Pacific, and the Great Southern are now more accessible than ever before.

This is the first time Classic Reward Seats have been offered for redemption on a trip that doesn’t leave the ground, instead turning attention to the undying romance of rail travel so members can get their travel fix and put a big tick next to what is a bucketlist experience for many.

Starting from today, QFF members can use points to book Classic Rail Reward seats, or earn 1 point per $1 spent on Journey Beyond Rail Expedition trips.

For those not up on their premium train travel, Journey Beyond has been operating extended overnight rail holidays through quintessential Australian locations for decades. The all-inclusive, high-end expeditions include bespoke menus inspired by each itinerary’s various stops, as well as offer the opportunity for guests to explore beyond the tracks with immersive “Off-Train” excursions before returning onboard for the next stop.

“Ninety per cent of our members want to use their points for travel so the ability to explore the country by rail is an exciting alternative for frequent flyers and a real drawcard for our program”, offered Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth. “Whether members are redeeming points on flights, hotel bookings, holiday packages or now rail travel, we’re always evolving and innovating to meet the needs of our 13 million members and help bring them closer to their next dream trip”.

Trains like The Ghan have been well established in the story of Australian travel for the past 90 years, hosting many locals and international visitors on outback adventures through the country’s red centre, typically travelling through the rusty reds of the MacDonnell Ranges and the tropical greens of Katherine and Darwin. It’s now widely considered one of the most spectacular ways to see Australia and one of the world’s greatest rail journeys.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Qantas Frequent Flyer and provide people who love to travel with greater value when they choose a premium rail holiday experience,” said Journey Beyond Chief Executive Officer, Chris Tallent. “Like Qantas, Journey Beyond is in the business of taking people to incredible places across the country and curating unique experiences that forge lasting memories”.

Bookings are now available for rail travel next year with the Great Southern’s second season being extended by two weeks into February and the once-a-week Ghan service becoming a twice-weekly service from May to August. Work is currently underway to see the Indian Pacific return with its weekly journeys from mid- February.

Qantas Frequent Flyers can earn 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent on all Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions or use points to book twin and single Gold Cabins on The Ghan, Indian Pacific and Great Southern starting from 100,000 Qantas Points.

For more information about the different rail journeys available click here.

Chris Singh

Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.