Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
Amex Membership Rewards Australia vs Qantas Points
Amex Membership Rewards is the loyalty programme of American Express, and in Australia its points never expire while the Card Member is active and the account is in good standing, while Qantas Points are the currency of Qantas Frequent Flyer and can only be earned and redeemed by Qantas Frequent Flyer members. The practical choice is between a flexible points currency that also buys gift cards, shopping and statement credit, and a currency that is spent directly on Qantas and oneworld awards. [1] [3] [4]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- In Australia, Membership Rewards points never expire as long as the Card Member is active and the account is in good standing, and American Express places no limit on how many points can be earned [1].
- Membership Rewards points can be spent on travel booked through Amex Travel Online, gift cards, shopping with points, a credit to the card account, covering card charges, and transfers to airline and hotel partner programmes [1].
- Qantas Points require Qantas Frequent Flyer membership to earn and redeem, and Qantas lists flights, hotels, credit cards, banking and home loans, everyday shopping, insurance, utilities, car, and holidays among the earning routes [3].
- American Express says the minimum requirement and transfer rate varies between partner programmes and that fees may apply, so a transfer rate has to be checked against the specific partner [1].
What are Amex Membership Rewards and Qantas Points?
Membership Rewards is the loyalty programme of American Express: points are earned for every eligible dollar spent on an eligible American Express card and credited to the card account [1]. American Express says there is no limit to how many Membership Rewards points can be earned, and that points will never expire while the member remains an active Card Member with an account in good standing [1]. Within Australia the programme also runs a Membership Rewards Ascent version on cards such as the Platinum Edge Credit Card and the Gold Business Card, which offers its own range of redemption options [1]. The full details sit on the Membership Rewards Australia programme page.
Qantas Points sit inside Qantas Frequent Flyer, and a traveller must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to earn and redeem them [3]. Qantas groups its earning routes as flights, hotels and accommodation, credit cards, banking and home loans, everyday shopping, insurance, home utilities, car, and holidays and experiences [3]. The programme structure is set out on the Qantas Frequent Flyer programme page.
The two also meet on the card shelf. American Express Australia lists Qantas Points cards as a separate card type from its rewards cards, including the Qantas Ultimate Card and the Qantas Business Rewards Card [1]. The Membership Rewards terms are also published alongside a separate set of Qantas Direct terms and conditions [1].
When is Amex Membership Rewards more flexible than Qantas Points?
The clearest difference is where the points can be spent. American Express lists travel rewards, gift cards, shopping with points at selected retailers, covering card charges, a credit to the card account, and transfers to airline and hotel partner programmes among the redemption options [1].
Several of those options work at small balances. Cover Charges with Points starts at a minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points, and the credit cannot exceed the amount of the eligible charge [1]. A Points for Credit redemption is administered within three business days, cannot be reversed, and is credited automatically to the Primary Account when several cards are linked to one Membership Rewards account [1]. Gift card rewards are not exchangeable for cash and are valid for at least three years from issue unless stated otherwise [1]. Membership Rewards points can also be moved to Everyday Rewards for $10 off a Woolworths shop for every 2,500 points transferred, subject to minimum redemption amounts and terms [1].
Transfers are where the flexibility becomes conditional. To redeem points into any frequent traveller programme the cardholder must already be a member of that programme, enrolment is the cardholder's own responsibility, fees may apply, and the minimum requirement and transfer rate varies [1]. Partners named by American Express include ALL Accor, while Marriott points transfers are temporarily unavailable and the customer service team is unable to assist with transfers by phone or chat during that period [1].
| Item | Programme | Figure | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas Hotels bookings | Qantas Points | 3 Qantas Points per A$1 [3] | Unless otherwise specified; excludes Classic Hotel Rewards and Airbnb; Points Club members earn 25% more and Points Club Plus members 50% more; credited within 8 weeks of check-out [3] |
| Qantas Wine purchases | Qantas Points | 1 Qantas Point per A$1, or 3 for Qantas Wine Premium members [3] | Eligible products and services bought through the Qantas Wine website; allow up to six weeks for points to appear [3] |
| Points Plus Pay | Qantas Points | Minimum 2,000 Qantas Points [4] | Remainder paid with an accepted payment card; not available for Classic Hotel Rewards [4] |
| Qantas Business Rewards transfer | Qantas Points | Business balance of at least 3,000 Qantas Points [4] | Business must be a Qantas Business Rewards member; one-off joining fee of $89.50 including GST [4] |
| Cover Charges with Points | Membership Rewards | Minimum 1,000 points [1] | Charge must be redeemed within 2 months, must not be a fee, and the option is limited to Basic Cardmembers enrolled in the Australian programme [1] |
| Everyday Rewards transfer | Membership Rewards | $10 off a Woolworths shop per 2,500 points [1] | Minimum redemption amounts and terms apply [1] |
When does earning Qantas Points directly win?
Qantas Points are the currency spent on Classic Flight Rewards, with no partner step in between [4]. The trade-off is availability: Classic Flight Rewards are subject to capacity controls, availability is limited, some flights may have no Classic Flight Rewards at all, and taxes, fees and carrier charges are payable to Qantas on top of the points [4]. Qantas says the points required and the charges are subject to change and are quoted at the time of booking, with the published figures accurate as at 10 October 2025 [4].
Reach is the second argument. With oneworld Classic Flight Rewards, Qantas says members can choose from 1,000 destinations and fly to five or fewer cities with two or more oneworld airlines [4]. Classic Upgrade Rewards can be requested on eligible flights including premium cabins, subject to capacity controls and availability [4].
Qantas Points also move inside a family more easily than a single card account does: Family Transfers let members transfer Qantas Points instantly between eligible family members who are also Qantas Frequent Flyer members [4]. Balances can be topped up by purchasing Top-up Points [3], and Qantas says that boosting in the Everyday Rewards app before shopping helps members earn six times more Everyday Rewards points, which can then be converted to Qantas Points [3].
Status-style benefits sit on the Qantas side too. Earning 150,000 Qantas Points in a membership year made a member eligible for Points Club benefits, and Qantas will retire Points Club from 8 December 2026, with members who retained or attained it on or before that date keeping their benefits until the end of their next Membership Year [3].
How do transfer rates and fees change the comparison?
American Express says the minimum requirement and transfer rate varies by partner programme, and that fees may apply when points are redeemed into a frequent traveller programme [1]. Because the rate is partner-specific, the number of partner points a Membership Rewards point buys depends on which programme is chosen, so the comparison should be run against a named partner rather than an average [1]. A practical order of checks is set out in the transfer points checklist.
Fees exist on the Qantas side as well, though in a different place. Moving points from a Qantas Business Rewards account into an individual's Qantas Frequent Flyer account requires a business balance of at least 3,000 Qantas Points, and business membership carries a one-off joining fee of $89.50 including GST [4].
Timing matters because the rules are being replaced. American Express publishes current consumer terms, current business and corporate terms and current Qantas Direct terms effective until 8 November 2026 inclusive, with new versions effective from 9 November 2026 inclusive [1]. A transfer made on either side of that date therefore falls under a different set of conditions, and which set applies should be confirmed before the transfer is made [1].
Exceptions and limits
- Expiry is conditional. Membership Rewards points do not expire while the member is an active Card Member with an account in good standing, so the promise is tied to account status rather than to the points alone [1].
- Who can use Cover Charges. Covering charges with points is available only to Basic Cardmembers enrolled in the Australian Membership Rewards programme, and authorised agents, authorised account managers, additional Cardmembers and Authorised Additional Cardmembers are not eligible [1]. Each eligible charge must appear in the online statement, be redeemed within 2 months of appearing on the account, and must not be a fee or a disputed transaction [1].
- Credits and reversals. A Points for Credit redemption cannot be reversed, and charges covered by points are not redeemable for cash through a credit balance refund [1].
- Qantas award availability. Classic Flight Rewards carry capacity controls and limited availability, and taxes, fees and carrier charges are payable in addition to the points [4]. Points Plus Pay needs at least 2,000 points and is not available for Classic Hotel Rewards [4].
- Programme changes already announced. Points Club is retired from 8 December 2026, with benefits for existing Points Club and Points Club Plus members continuing until the end of their next Membership Year [3].
- Scope of this comparison. It covers Australian-issued American Express cards and Qantas Frequent Flyer only, and leaves sign-up bonuses out unless a rule above states otherwise [1] [3].
Frequently asked questions
Do Amex Membership Rewards points expire in Australia?
No, provided the member remains an active Card Member and the account is in good standing; American Express states that under those conditions points will never expire [1].
What can Membership Rewards points be spent on besides flights?
Gift cards, shopping with points at selected retailers, covering eligible card charges from 1,000 points, a credit to the card account, and transfers to airline and hotel partner programmes [1].
Are Qantas Classic Flight Rewards always available?
No. They are subject to capacity controls and limited availability, some flights may have no Classic Flight Rewards, and taxes, fees and carrier charges are payable on top of the points [4].
Can Qantas Points be moved to family members?
Yes. Family Transfers move Qantas Points instantly between eligible family members who are also Qantas Frequent Flyer members [4].
How many Qantas Points do Qantas Hotels bookings earn?
3 Qantas Points per A$1 unless otherwise specified, excluding Classic Hotel Rewards and Airbnb, with points credited within 8 weeks of check-out [3].
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. Velocity Frequent Flyer, and airline and hotel programmes other than Qantas Frequent Flyer, are not covered here.
- Membership Rewards Program, American Express Australia, checked 18 October 2026
- Earn Points, Qantas Frequent Flyer, checked 18 October 2026
- Use Points, Qantas Frequent Flyer, checked 18 October 2026