Last chance: free points, status credits in Qantas Vaccination Rewards
There’s only one week left to claim your 1,000 Qantas Points, 15 status credits or a $20 flight voucher.
By Staff Writers, December 24 2021
Time’s running out to collect your Qantas Vaccination Reward, with the airline’s promotion ending at 11.59pm on Friday December 31.
If you’ve been fully vaccinated but have yet to claim your reward of those free points or status credits, or a $20 flight voucher, we suggest you take advantage of this downtime.
To recap: every fully-vaccinated Australian member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program aged 18 and over can choose between
- 1,000 Qantas Points, or
- 15 status credits, or
- $20 discount on a Qantas or Jetstar flight
(You’ll also go into the draw for one of eight major prizes of $50,000 in Qantas travel vouchers, one million Accor Live Limitless (ALL) points for booking hotels and resorts, and $3,650 in BP fuel.)
Just upload your Covid-19 digital vaccination certificate to the Qantas smartphone app for Apple iPhones and Google Android devices and select your vaccination reward.
Covid jabs and the Qantas app are your keys to unlocking the airline's vaccination rewards.
So which reward should you choose? At the end of the day, each of these picks is of such relatively small value that it’s almost impossible to make a ‘bad’ choice.
That said, we suggest the 1,000 Qantas Points or the $20 flight voucher will offer the best value for most people.
15 status credits
At almost any other time, a free 15 status credits without leaving the ground would be the top choice for many frequent flyers to help retain their Silver, Gold or Platinum tier for one more year, or to edge closer towards lifetime status.
However, these are unique times.
Qantas has already rolled out 12-month status extension that will see most flyers’ status preserved through to as far as mid-2023, so for most people, chasing status isn’t likely to be the highest concern.
There are two exceptions:
- frequent flyers who qualify for Qantas' latest status extension offer will see many of the status credits earned in this membership year rolled over into their next membership year. If you're on the edge of losing your status or moving up one tier, those 15 status credits might prove very handy when the time comes.
- Qantas has confirmed that these 15 status credits also count towards your lifetime tally, so they’ll nudge you that little bit closer to locking in Lifetime Silver, Lifetime Gold or even Lifetime Platinum status.
1,000 Qantas Points
Free Qantas Points? It's almost a no-brainer!
These 1,000 bonus Qantas Points can be used to book a flight, secure an upgrade, or otherwise spent through the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.
How much are those points worth? Each Qantas Point can be valued at anything from half a cent when spent on merchandise, around 1.3 cents when applied towards an economy reward flight, or 2+ cents when used to book into business class.
For business class flyers, this puts the value of 1,000 Qantas Points roughly on-par with the $20 cash voucher – and it's pretty much the obvious choice for point-savvy Qantas Frequent Flyers.
Also read: What is a Qantas frequent flyer point worth?
$20 voucher for Qantas or Jetstar flights
A $20 flight voucher might not sound like much in the scheme of things, but of these three choices it has the most straightforward value and is the easiest to use.
When it comes to travel, this $20 credit is much more flexible than 1,000 Qantas Points and can be used when booking any domestic or international Qantas or Jetstar flight.
Issued as a promo code for Qantas flights or an e-voucher for Jetstar flights, and sent via email within seven days, this $20 credit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
For most travellers, especially those that aren't hung up on points, this will be the best way to go.
For full information on Qantas’ vaccine incentive program, click through to qantas.com/berewarded.
05 Mar 2015
Total posts 393
Great advice as usual, Chris and ET. I went for the 1000 points, petty much the obvious choice for most people here I reckon.
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 427
1,000 Qantas Points for me, the more I can put towards domestic upgrades or an international business class reward booking, the better!
11 Sep 2015
Total posts 201
I also went for the 1000 points but my better half chose the $20 Qantas voucher, both are good options for anybody. I wonder how many people chose the 15 SCs and what their reasons were?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Oct 2016
Total posts 18
I chose the Qantas status credits as I have flights booked and do not need 1000 miles of a further voucher with a limited use by date
20 Oct 2015
Total posts 233
I actually took the 15 status credits. I've got plenty of points, and have some Qantas flights coming up, but think I'll need to stretch to retain Platinum after the status extension, especially without knowing what's going to happen with the international routes where I used to earn a lot of status credits, eg Hong Kong could be off the cards, Manila I think will be off limits for a long time yet, and not sure how my usual US travel will bounce back. So right now I want every status credit I can get so I can roll those over to my next membership year and close the gap between me and Platinum.
09 Aug 2015
Total posts 89
I caved and went for $20, gotta make a Qantas flight for my status extension so I may as well make them pay for a little bit of it and earn some points and status credits at the same time!
Etihad - Etihad Guest
29 May 2019
Total posts 9
I have a vague recollection that I used a credit to pay for part of a flight booking and the card payment fees were excluded. So I’ll probably roll the dice and get the $20 to make the most of the bonus :)
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2549
FWIW, count me into the "1000 points" club. I could actually have gone either way between that and the $20 QF voucher, as I can see sound rationale for both depending on circumstances. I've already got quite a lot of Qantas Points sitting there, so I figured another thousand won't hurt, and they will definitely be put to good use next year when international travel comes back.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Sep 2013
Total posts 14
“Every fully-vaccinated Australian member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program”
No, every fully-vaccinated Australian resident member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program.
I’m Australian, but just like the government, Qantas has deliberately ignored and forgotten me.
05 Mar 2015
Total posts 393
I don't think this is "deliberate", it's just that the authentication methods for 'fully vaccinated' is the Australian government's own COVID vaccination digital certificate, and that is only issued to people who are vaccinated in Australia. Or are you expecting Qantas should also make this work with the digital vaccination certificates of every other country? Its focus is on getting people in Australia vaccinated, not people overseas. Also, it's only 1000 points, not really a big deal is it? Besides, QFF members living overseas get a FREE status extension this year, just like last year, while those of us in Australia have to pay for a Qantas flight to qualify for the status extension. Personally I would rather have a free status extension than those 1000 points!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Dec 2015
Total posts 5
I live overseas but I have still flown (and paid for!) 3 domestic sectors with Qantas this year. I just have to fly international connections with somebody else.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Sep 2013
Total posts 14
Eh? It’s clearly deliberate to exclude some Australians from this offer.
Plenty of other companies and countries are accepting vaccine certificates - digital or paper - from every country. Iceland, where I’ll be this weekend, is a great example.
Sadly this is just another example of Qantas ignoring Australians overseas during the pandemic. I’ll be flying United next time I travel to Sydney or Melbourne. They didn’t abandon me like Qantas did.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 624
If you're presently in the USA, where Covid vaccination has had a better uptake (that Australia due to availability, you might be unaware of local politics down here. Qantas is throwing its weight behind the Australian Government encouraging its QFF members living in Australia to get their vaccinations (I've got both of mine). If you have a PDF version of your vaccination certificate, send it to QFF and nominate your preferred 'reward'.
As other regulars here know, I'm hardly an advocate for Captain AJ and Qantas (but equally happy to towel-up Jayne when she stuffs up). That Disclaimer out of the way, I was quick to support this QFF initiative and register my Vax Certificate even though the likelihood of any reward being used is remote (I took the points). Glad to read of your (21five) loyalty to United. I flew SYD-LAX-PHX-SFO-SYD in United's First Class about 10 years ago. The seats were lovely, but on his/her worst and grumpiest day, Qantas cabin crew in Eco class give better service than that which I 'enjoyed' in United First over those 4 separate sectors. Hope for you that things have improved.
15 Feb 2014
Total posts 10
Not only those Aussies who are overseas - what about us non-Australians overseas? I don't see any perks in Qantas' plan for us.
14 Jan 2019
Total posts 19
The vaccination update system does not work on Qantas App. I have tried 20 times. It fails after you select what state you are in
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 12
I have the same problem, says it is not valid, reading Android is supposed to save it directly but it does not i had to save it to my drive and then when i attach it says not correct. did you sort this out or any one else can help us would be great. I have a Samsung Note phone.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Nov 2012
Total posts 25
I'm not too keen on the apps government departments provide. I used my MacBook to access my Medicare file. Emailed it as an attachment to myself and then accessed the email and downloaded the file on the phone. When the time came to upload, that was the first file to appear.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 12
tried that, maybe its a Android issue?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Oct 2017
Total posts 9
Yes, same here. I have the certificate on my phone no problem. When you use the Qantas app to upload it, it seems to upload it OK, but then the final step asks what state you live in, and it fails.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 12
yes, it is a PDF file?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Oct 2016
Total posts 18
You are doing something wrong.
I was able to download Covid certificate and state with no issue using Qantas app on my mobile.
I suggest you uninstall the app and then reinstall app.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 12
OK Update, I tried again today and got a different message at the end saying it could not be uploaded from basically any cloud based storage, so managed to get it directly on my phone and it finally took it.. Hope it helps some one.
22 Dec 2017
Total posts 4
The $20 voucher has a use by date and I have have a heap of flight credits so the points work for me
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 427
Well, 12 months is a pretty long time, I reckon most people would have at least one Qantas flight by August 2021, or even December 2021 if they waited until December this year to claim their reward. But yes, points are a pretty reliable choice !
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Dec 2015
Total posts 5
I am Australian and was fully vaccinated in March, but because I live in Singapore I am ignored.
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 427
If you were vaccinated in Singapore, that explains it. This is a campaign to drive vaccinations in Australia so that we can all get flying overseas again, including Qantas as an airline of course. Sorry if an Australian vaccination campaign doesn't extend to countries outside Australia.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1435
Having trouble even finding it. It’s not on my Qantas App for some reason.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1435
Finally worked it out. Had to delete the app and reinstall it. Then as I don’t use the phone as a computer had to work out where to save my covid vaccination certificate so I could access it for the Qantas app. A series of seniors moments. Went for points. Have lifetime gold and I will have platinum till the end of 2023 after which work travel will be mostly over.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 12
may i ask where you saved it to and was it a PDF file? thanks Chris
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1435
Cstockwell, it does offer a PDF to then move somewhere (top right). I had trouble with the somewhere but something called garage band saved me. Don’t ask.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 12
thanks, i think i shall be spending hours on the phone to Qantas as no one answer any more, had damage luggage from my last trip and still no reply to my submission, only been over a month now.... Service now what service.....
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 12
OK i read the instructions and and i can't get it to upload using Android, once i get to vic it then says You've uploaded your Covid-19 digital certificate from Medicare. This is different to your immunization History Statement. it then says my name matches the name on my QFF account, so why is it not excepting it. Any one? i then tried the History Statement as well but same message... Thanks for any help
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Nov 2012
Total posts 25
Are you sure you actually uploaded the Covid-19 digital certificate and that you didn't do what I did, and upload the Immunisation History Statement? Qantas only wants the Covid-10 Digital Certificate; once I uploaded that, I had no problems.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 12
yes i tried both although i had to save it to my drive file as it was not automatically saved, its a PDF file that is all i can use as i cant get to the covid certificate as saved offline on the medicare app, unless there is a trick i do not know.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2017
Total posts 30
I uploaded the Covid-19 digital certificate (not the history), and tried about 15 times on multiple days... and yes, my vax certificate was a PDF file, and still problems... I gave up in the end. The app does not work for a lot of people.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 12
yep i tried several times, just wondering if its a android issue and apple is OK
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Sep 2012
Total posts 31
I didn't see any 'fine print' r.e the Status Credits not counting towards lifetime..DOH! Oh well..have enough points/vouchers so it was still going to be the Status Credits for me as inch SO slowly towards lifetime gold with zero flights on the horizon
06 Mar 2017
Total posts 19
The flight voucher has an expiry, the points are effectively indefinite. Points win for me.
25 Jun 2018
Total posts 39
Where does one start? I have read the various articles and it is absolute gobbledegook. “Just do this”. and “Upload that”.
I can’t use the QR code system to log in when entering premises. My phone (Samsung J3) just looks at the code and nothing happens. Pen & paper every time. Nobody can explain why.
08 Jan 2012
Total posts 8
With the ridiculously difficult to achieve Lifetime Platinum becoming even more unattainable during COVID it beggars belief why Qantas wouldn't let the 15 status credits count toward LP. (I'm on 45K SC and any hopes of getting to LP in what would have been my final years of significant business travel now seems impossible).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Sep 2012
Total posts 31
@coventrys I just applied the points yesterday and it seems it DOES count towards Lifetime status! My total now includes the 15 from yesterday and my remaining has gone down...so who knows whats going on :P
06 Mar 2017
Total posts 19
Clearly spelled out in T&C's that it doesn't.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Sep 2012
Total posts 31
I can't post a screenshot of my account (or I would) but its there in front of me...long may it last..if its a glitch in my favour I'll take it! haha
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Oct 2016
Total posts 18
Screenshots are not accepted. Must be the PDF file of Covid Vaccination
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 427
Hahaha, it would be funny if somebody at Qantas IT simply forget to block these from counting towards lifetime status. I think it's a bit 'cheap' of them not to allow these SCs as part of your lifetime count, after all, it's what you'd get in economy one-way between Sydney and Melbourne. If these did count towards lifetime status I think they'd become the most popular choice by far!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Oct 2016
Total posts 18
Interesting.
I can see 15 Status Points added to my account but total Status Points now held as per overview are short by extra 15 Status Points that I received yesterday from Qantas
27 Nov 2016
Total posts 26
Mmm, I’m just not sure about the QF advice regarding privacy & their promise to delete this info without providing to third parties. My info is definitely worth more than $20 or 1000 points or 15 SC. I’m a P1 and despite having had several domestic flights this year I’m sure it will be a struggle to make it again even by 2023 so probably will opt for the SC if I decide to sign up despite being double vaxxed months ago.
15 Aug 2014
Total posts 9
Pity none of these awards are for us Qantas flyers in New Zealand! Again we loose out on a Frequent Flyer promotion!
11 Jul 2020
Total posts 75
Not to state the obvious but Qantas is an Australian airline so naturally this promotion will only apply to vaccinated Australians currently living in Australia. Perhaps Air New Zealand might run a similar promotion that you can sign up to.
15 Aug 2014
Total posts 9
It may be an Australian registered airline, but it provides frequent flyer benefits to several countries, including New Zealand! There are some ways offered to people in NZ to earn points/Status Credits, but nothing like what's available in Australia. We do have a choice in airlines, but I choose Qantas and Oneworld in preference. It's just a pity that Qantas doesn't see New Zealand supporters as valued customers in the same light as they do in Australia!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Aug 2014
Total posts 41
Apart from ostensibly being a good citizen, is Qantas gathering data in your QFF profile that simplifies requirements for a "vax passport" when flying at some time in the future?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 624
If Captain AJ wants to get State borders open ASAP, he already has the power courtesy of his influence over use of the Qantas Chairman's lounge. All he needs to do is promise - to State Premiers, all Commonwealth and State Cabinet Ministers, the Department Heads of those Ministers, and each and every 'direct report' to those Department Heads - one (1) months suspension from the Chairman's Lounge and Business Lounge for each and every day after September 30th that their borders and quarantines ISO remain in place.
MY GOD won't they then get the vaccination roll-out working (to borrow the expression by from Queen Elizabeth) 'at speed'.
Do it AJ, and "damn the torpedoes".
14 Jan 2019
Total posts 19
Very good idea, that will sort the Politicians and Public Servants out
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2017
Total posts 30
I tried about 15 times... over a matter of days after the app failed the first time. I had my PDF Covid Vaccination Certificate, and everything that was asked for. After you select the state or territory you are located in, the app fails, saying "something went wrong"... Qantas need to double check their app, because it is clearly not working for some. Am I the only one to experience this problem... ?????
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 12
perhaps everyone in victoria is not allowed.... haha well i am in vic, not sure about the other failures. but hey they broke my luggage over a month ago on my last trip to NZ, so complained and still waiting for a reply.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 47
I probably would choose SC. Simple reason: my travel is mostly international. With limited international travel opportunities, 15 SC may be just what I need to maintain my status level. To get 15SC, I probably need to fly BNE-MEL or similar, which can easily cost $200 or so. Happy to save that money and get the SC wihtout needing to leave home :-).
However, the last time I checked the T&C, it is not mentioned if those SC are eligible for rollover. Anybody knows?
31 Aug 2021
Total posts 1
Points for me for now, waiting for O/Seas opening up.
But it is a disgrace that the upload certificate process does not work. I did everything right, checked in with Qantas FF, and after some days dragging their heels, they confirmed all good, but still does not accept "incorrect document uploaded". And I did it again and again and again and again....no luck.
The file I used was downloaded directly from Medicare/MyGov. Using a Samsung - Android phone.
If they are serious about this campaign, they would get it fixed, and also at least offer a PC upload option.
I suspect it is all about the PR value - getting on the "vaccine equals freedom" trend - and not really about their customers.
Shame on you Qantas. Fix it or withdraw it.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Oct 2016
Total posts 18
It does work you Samsung and Android phones.
Suggest you uninstall Qantas App and reinstall.
Did the process on my Samsung mobile in one try without any issues
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Apr 2011
Total posts 15
Re the 15 status credits and "these 15 bonus vaccination status credits don't count towards your lifetime tally".
I note in QANTAS correspondence in emails, on the app and online since 1 September, it no longer refers to the 15 status credits not counting towards lifetime tally. Anyone know if the status credits do count towards lifetime tally now (which would make sense as it is a pretty useless award to select otherwise)??
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Sep 2012
Total posts 31
Danny, I applied them to my account and my Lifetime total definitely changed by 15 status credits. So despite all the debate here..at least from what I see in my account..they DO count towards lifetime status.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Apr 2011
Total posts 15
Thanks findjeremy, I have now selected the 15 status credits. Looks like QANTAS refined the offer as it was so silly as originally presented.
12 Aug 2020
Total posts 5
I remember seeing the clause stating the 15 status credit “not counting towards lifetime status” last week. And I even rung Qantas to express my disappointment about it. Today I checked it again. They removed it already! Now I am happy!
06 Mar 2017
Total posts 19
Well that's a bit annoying. I'd have taken the SCs if they had counted to lifetime status at the time I signed up. I already have too many points I can't find a use for, and had already requalified for platinum (independent of statuskeeper) even before the current lock down!
07 Sep 2021
Total posts 7
I took the 1,000 points however it does finally accept the document which is located in My Files (Samsung) I tried on around 20 occasions to get it to be accepted and not have a oops something went wrong message.
With my partners account it took around 60-70 attempts to accept the file.
It appears to be oops something went wrong with Qantas.
11 Jan 2019
Total posts 2
Does anyone know if the $20 vouchers be used to pay the taxes on a reward booking?
11 Jan 2019
Total posts 2
Just saw on Qantas Q&A:
When can't my $20 Qantas flight promo code be used? When Qantas Points have been used (Classic Flight Rewards or Points Plus Pay).
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