As of today, Qantas Frequent Flyers will now be able to use points to fund their inevitable Trans-Tasman ski trips across five prominent New Zealand snowfields. Specifically, those points can now be spent on 3, 4, 5 and 6-day lift passes in partnership with local travel provider Ski Express, who will deliver the ski passes once they are redeemed via the Qantas Rewards Store.
All those pent-up points you’ve been accumulating from non-flying activities can be put to good use across popular South Island snowfields Cardrona, Treble Cone, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Mount Hutt. Qantas haven’t revealed whether or not the airline plans to add more snowfields, like Craigieburn Valley and Mount Olympus, to the new initiative but the current list is generous enough as it is.
Early bird passes at these snowfields start from 33,000 Qantas Points for a 3-day lift pass. When considering that with a return Classic Rewards booking to New Zealand (around 28,800 Qantas Points, minimum), you could get away with having both your flights and lift passes locked in for around 70,000 Qantas Points.
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Even if you haven’t got your New Zealand bubble flight looked in yet, it’ll pay to get those Qantas Points together a book some lift passes early. From now until May 29, Qantas Frequent Flyers will be able to book two types of lift passes, with the option to pay with points, or a combination of plus pay.
Early Bird Cardona and Treble Cone passes will be the cheapest, starting from 33,000 Qantas Points for ski lift passes. That number climbs up to 43,000 if you’re looking at Early Bird Queenstown and Mt Hutt passes – which takes in Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Mount Hutt.
Qantas will be ramping up the number of flights between Australia and Queenstown during the peak winter season to cater for the inevitable demand. According to Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth, more than 20 per cent of bookings for this July and August have been made using points, so it stands to reason that many will also be redeeming some of the digital currency to tack on some lift passes now that the option is available for Qantas Frequent Flyers.
Both Australian and New Zealand members are able to take advantage of the new offering. Kiwi’s are especially well-placed to benefit from the scheme, seeing as Qantas Points can also be used for domestic flights to Queenstown and Christchurch on Jetstar New Zealand’s South Island network.
“Over the past years our members have been earning more points on the ground from non-flying activities, waiting for opportunities to use them on travel again,” said Wirth.
“Whether members are redeeming points on flights, hotel bookings, holiday packages, or now lift passes, we’re always evolving and innovating to meet the needs of our 13 million members and help bring them closer to their next dream trip.”
