How to transfer Qantas Frequent Flyer points to family members

Given the varied ways to earn Qantas Points – both in the air and on the ground via the Red Roo’s hotel and retail partners, not to mention through Qantas Insurance and the like – amassing a healthy points stash is easy to do.

Rather than just treating themselves to an upgrade or reward flight, Qantas frequent flyers can also transfer points to family members, helping their mother, brother or even their in-laws realise the travels they’ve been longing for.

While indeed not a ‘set and forget’ system like rival Virgin Australia’s family pooling, it’s the next best thing – and relatively straightforward too. That said, there are a few caveats. 

1. Transfers are free but must be between family members

Close friends might be tempted to bail each other out, but the Qantas Frequent Flyer terms and conditions make it clear that transfers can only be made between ‘eligible family members’.

Thankfully, the definition of family member is quite broad, encompassing:

• Husband, wife, domestic partner and de facto
• Your parents, step-parents and birth, foster and step-children
• Brothers and sisters, including half-siblings
• Grandparents and grandchildren
• The in-laws: your son, daughter, brother, sister, father and mother in-law
• Uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces
• First cousins

Points transfers are processed instantly through either the Qantas website or over the phone to the Customer Contact Centre, although a $35 fee applies to each transfer made over the phone while online transfers are free.

It's not family pooling, but it is the next best thing.

Qantas doesn’t routinely ask for proof of your relationship, but be prepared to provide it if requested. 

It’s worth noting that, unlike Qantas Points, status credits cannot be transferred. 

2. There’s a minimum number of Qantas Points you can transfer

On top of allowing members to share the love, Qantas family transfers are a convenient way for parents to pool points earned via their children’s frequent flyer accounts into their own.

While a 5,000 point minimum transfer has long been in place, this is being reduced down to just 1,500 from mid-December 2023. Not only that, parents of minors under 18 can also transfer points less than 1,500.

Transfers of 1,500 points or more can be made via the Qantas website, while those below this limit must be made over the phone with the Frequent Flyer contact centre. The airline says this rule is in place to avoid fraudulent transactions.

At the same time, the airline is removing the maximum transfer limit of 600,000 points.

3. Family transfers don’t stop points from expiring

A Qantas Frequent Flyer member will lose all their points if the account is inactive – if no points are earned or spent – after 18 months.

Most frequent flyers don’t need to worry about this, as simply using a Qantas partner credit card, BP Rewards or Woolworths Everyday Rewards Card are easy ways to add a few points to your account, which keeps it alive for another 18 months.

However, the accounts people living outside of Australia are more susceptible to that loss. And unlike most other activities, transferring points to a dormant account doesn’t reset the timer on that account.

For example: if you last earned or redeemed Qantas Points in December 2023 but received a generous gift from a family member on June 30 2024, you’d see all of your points disappear on July 1.

That includes all points received on the day prior, so tread carefully.

In the case of children, simply redeem some of their points for your next award, or transfer your own points across before redeeming them from the child’s account.

That redemption will reset the expiry timer, although you might consider transferring their points across to yourself for an early holiday.