Points Plus Pay is one of the easiest ways to use Qantas Points.
It’s also one of the easiest ways to use them badly.
At checkout, that slider makes it feel like you’re saving money. But unless you stop and check the numbers, you could be trading valuable points for very little return.
The key mindset shift: Points Plus Pay is a payment tool — not a redemption strategy.
Points Plus Pay vs Classic Rewards: Know the difference
This is where most people go wrong.
A Classic Flight Reward is a true redemption:
- Fixed points pricing
- Limited availability
- Typically the highest value per point
Points Plus Pay, on the other hand, is simply:
- A mix of points + cash
- Available on most flights
- Priced dynamically (like cash fares)
Qantas itself highlights this distinction — Classic Rewards generally offer better value, while Points Plus Pay offers flexibility.
Translation: If value matters, always check Classic Rewards first.
The one calculation you should always do
Before touching the slider, work out what your points are actually worth.
The formula is simple:
(Cash price – cash you pay) ÷ points used = value per point
Example:
- Full fare: A$500
- You pay: A$350 + 25,000 points
- Cash saved: A$150
Value per point:
→ 150 ÷ 25,000 = 0.6 cents per point
That’s low.
For context, strong redemptions (like business class Classic Rewards) can deliver 2–5+ cents per point.
This is the trade-off: convenience now vs value later.
When Points Plus Pay actually makes sense
Points Plus Pay isn’t “bad” — it’s just situational.
It works best when flexibility matters more than optimisation.
Use it when:
- You don’t have enough points for a full reward
- You want to reduce out-of-pocket cost
- No Classic Rewards are available
- You need a specific flight (dates/times locked in)
- Your points are about to expire
- You’re clearing out leftover points
One genuine upside:
You can still earn points and Status Credits on eligible bookings — unlike Classic Rewards.
That alone can justify using it in the right scenario.
When it’s usually poor value
This is where you need discipline.
Avoid Points Plus Pay when:
- A Classic Reward is available
- Cash fares are cheap
- The points required are high
- You’re saving for premium cabin flights
- You don’t actually need the cash savings
The biggest trap?
Psychological savings.
Seeing a lower price at checkout feels like a win — even if you’re burning points at poor value.
Use it for cashflow — not “value”
Points Plus Pay is best treated as a cashflow tool.
It can make sense for:
- Last-minute travel
- Peak-season flights (weddings, holidays)
- Work trips you’re fronting yourself
- Tight cash periods
- Routes with zero reward availability
Just be honest about what you’re doing:
You’re not maximising value — you’re reducing upfront cost.
And that’s completely fine.
Don’t forget Classic Plus
Now there’s a third option in the mix.
Classic Plus Flight Rewards sit between Classic Rewards and Points Plus Pay:
- More availability than Classic Rewards
- Variable pricing
- Often better value than Points Plus Pay
On many routes, you’ll now see four options:
- Cash fare
- Points Plus Pay
- Classic Reward
- Classic Plus
Always compare all four.
The best option isn’t always obvious at first glance.
Check the fine print before booking
Points Plus Pay bookings follow paid fare rules, not reward rules.
That means:
- Change fees can apply
- Cancellation policies vary
- Refunds may not return points in full
- Extra costs are paid in cash, not points
Before you book, check:
- Fare type
- Change and cancellation fees
- Refund structure (points vs cash)
Convenience upfront can become expensive later.
The bottom line
Points Plus Pay is flexible, easy and widely available.
But it’s rarely the best-value way to use your Qantas Points.
Use it when:
- You need flexibility
- You want to reduce cash spend
- Reward seats aren’t available
Avoid it when:
- You can access high-value Classic Rewards
- The cents-per-point value is low
Simple rule:
If you wouldn’t knowingly “sell” your points that cheaply — don’t spend them that way.
Before you use the slider, compare it against our Classic Rewards vs Classic Plus guide — it could save you thousands of points.
