How Many Qantas Points to Fly to Japan?

You may think it's just about gathering enough points, booking a ticket, and jetting off to Japan. But it’s not that simple. The world of airline miles and points can be tricky, even for experienced travelers. And if you're wondering how many Qantas Points it takes to fly to Japan, you're about to be surprised by the various nuances involved.

Let's start with the obvious: Qantas offers multiple routes to Japan, and your point requirements will depend on a combination of factors. Are you flying economy, premium economy, or business class? Which cities are you departing from? Are there any stopovers involved? All of these play a crucial role in determining how many points you’ll need.

The Route Breakdown:

Qantas operates flights from major cities in Australia, such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, directly to Japan, with destinations including Tokyo (Narita and Haneda) and Osaka.

Here’s where it gets interesting: Qantas uses a distance-based award chart to calculate how many points you need for a flight.

• For a direct flight from Sydney to Tokyo, the flight distance is approximately 4,860 miles.
• Melbourne to Tokyo? That's around 5,066 miles.
• Brisbane to Tokyo measures about 4,358 miles.

All of these distances place the flights within the 3,601 to 4,800 miles bracket or the 4,801 to 5,800 miles bracket for Qantas' award chart, depending on your specific departure point.

Here’s a breakdown of the typical points required for one-way travel on Qantas-operated flights:

Cabin Class	Points for 3,601-4,800 miles (e.g., Sydney - Tokyo)	Points for 4,801-5,800 miles (e.g., Melbourne - Tokyo)
Economy	36,000 points	40,000 points
Premium Economy	54,000 points	60,000 points
Business	72,000 points	84,000 points
First Class	108,000 points	120,000 points

But What About Partner Airlines?

Here’s where things get even more intriguing. Qantas is part of the oneworld alliance, meaning you can use Qantas Points to fly on partner airlines like Japan Airlines (JAL). JAL also offers direct flights to Japan, and sometimes availability or cabin upgrades are better than what you can find with Qantas. If you’re flexible, you can take advantage of these partnerships to increase your travel options.

Flying with JAL instead of Qantas may sometimes be more affordable in terms of points. For instance, the same Sydney to Tokyo flight on JAL might cost around 40,000 points in economy but may offer better availability in business class at 70,000 points compared to Qantas’ 72,000 points.

Taxes and Fees:

Here’s the kicker that catches many travelers off guard: the taxes and fees you pay when booking award flights can vary greatly depending on the airline and the route. Even if you’re using points, you still need to pay these extra charges out of pocket.

On a Qantas flight from Sydney to Tokyo in economy class, expect to pay around AUD 150-200 in fees. For premium cabins, these fees can creep up to AUD 400 or more. Japan Airlines tends to have slightly lower fees, sometimes saving you around AUD 50-100, depending on the class and route.

Upgrade with Points?

Want to make the most of your points? Upgrading from economy to business class using points is another option worth considering. However, Qantas has strict eligibility rules. You’ll need to have booked a flexible fare class to be eligible for an upgrade, and availability is not always guaranteed.

For a typical upgrade from economy to business on the Sydney to Tokyo route, you’ll need around 50,000 points. This option can be highly appealing for those who’ve already purchased a ticket and want to improve their travel experience.

Using Points for a Stopover:

Sometimes, you might want to break up your trip with a stopover. Qantas allows you to book multi-city itineraries using points, but this can complicate the number of points required. A stopover in Hong Kong, for example, might add another 15,000 to 20,000 points to your total, depending on your class of service and route.

Maximizing Your Points:

If you’re savvy, you can stretch your Qantas Points even further by booking during Qantas’ "Points Plane" promotions or by taking advantage of limited-time offers. These promotions allow you to book flights using fewer points than usual, sometimes shaving off up to 25% of the regular cost.

Another strategy is to keep an eye on classic reward seat availability, which offers the best value for your points but can be highly competitive, especially on popular routes like Australia to Japan. It’s best to book these tickets well in advance, as they tend to sell out quickly.

A Hypothetical Journey:

Imagine this scenario: You’ve accumulated 120,000 Qantas Points over the last year. You're eyeing a business class ticket from Melbourne to Tokyo. The flight requires 84,000 points, leaving you with 36,000 points. You then notice a promotion offering 25% off economy flights to Tokyo, bringing the cost down to 27,000 points one way. Suddenly, you realize you can book a business class flight to Japan and a return economy flight for the same points total. Not a bad deal, right?

Earning Points for the Next Trip:

Now, let’s talk about earning points for future trips. If you’re a frequent Qantas traveler, you likely earn points through flights, credit card purchases, and partnerships. But did you know that the Qantas Frequent Flyer program offers numerous ways to earn extra points?

From signing up for Qantas-linked credit cards that offer large points bonuses to shopping with Qantas partners like Woolworths, you can accelerate your points accumulation.

Here’s a breakdown of some common ways to quickly earn more points:

Earning Method	Points Potential
Qantas Platinum Credit Card	Up to 100,000 bonus points
Booking Qantas Hotels	3 points per dollar spent
Shopping at Qantas Wine	up to 10 points per dollar spent
Signing up for Qantas Insurance	up to 60,000 points bonus
Using Qantas Shopping portal	varies by retailer, up to 10 points per dollar

Final Thoughts:

When planning your trip to Japan with Qantas Points, it's essential to calculate your points accurately, stay flexible with your travel dates, and always keep an eye out for promotions. Maximizing your points takes a little bit of planning but can save you a lot of money, especially for long-haul flights like Australia to Japan. With a bit of strategy, you’ll find yourself sipping sake in Tokyo or wandering through the temples of Kyoto, all thanks to the clever use of Qantas Points.