Qantas Frequent Flyer has made some updates to the limits that apply to its Family Transfer program. Two changes have been made that make it easier for families to move points between their accounts
- Minimum Points for a transfer: Up until now you have needed to transfer a minimum of 5,000 Qantas Points. Qantas has made some changes that mean that you can transfer a minimum of 1,500 Qantas Points.
- Annual Maximum: Until now, you have been restricted to transferring no more than 600,000 Qantas Points per year. This limit has now been removed, and you can transfer as many points as you wish.
The new limits for Family Transfers are shown on the Family Transfer page. Qantas has not yet updated the Qantas Frequent Flyer Terms and Conditions with the new limits
Qantas Family Transfers
One of the family-friendly features of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program is the ability to move Qantas Points between family members. You may want to do this if you want to combine smaller account balances. For example, if your children end up with a small balance from family travels. Alternatively, you may just want to help out a family member to get enough points for a Reward.
How to transfer Qantas Points
You can transfer Qantas Points to a family member online, for free.
- Head over to the Family Transfer page (you may need to log in if you have not already done so)
- Enter the number of points you wish to transfer
- Select the relationship between you and the recipient
- Fill in their Frequent Flyer details
While it is free online, if you need to do it over the phone, Qantas will charge a $35 service center fee.
Terms and Conditions
While it is all fairly straightforward, there are a few rules to keep in mind. These rules cover who you can transfer points to, how many points can be transferred, and so on.
Who is Family?
You can only transfer points to an eligible family member. Qantas offers the following list in the Terms and Conditions:
- Husband/Wife
- Parent/Step-parent
- Domestic Partner/De Facto
- Child, including foster and step-child
- Brother/Sister
- Half Brother/Sister
- Grandparent
- Grandchild
- Son/Daughter-in-law
- Brother/Sister-in-law
- Father/Mother-in-law
- Uncle/Aunt
- Nephew/Niece
- First cousin
How many Points can you transfer?
Qantas has recently modified the limits on the number of points that can be transferred. The minimum transfer of 1,500 points per transaction is now the main restriction. This should simplify moving points from accounts with a small balance.
There is no longer an annual limit on how many points you can transfer.
Points Expiration
It is important to understand the rules around Points Expiry. If you are not careful, you could end up transferring to an inactive account and having the points quickly expire.
Firstly, it is important to remember that Qantas Points can expire if you do not have any activity in your account for 18 months. Family Transfers do not count as activity, so this does not change the clock on the points expiring.
Secondly, when you transfer points, the points are subject to the expiration date of the account that receives the points. So, if that account has been inactive for 18 months, the arriving points may expire in a very short period.
Points Club
Any points received through a family transfer will not count towards points club or points club plus. As a result, this is not a way to help someone achieve Points Club or Points Club Plus membership.
Status Credits
You can only transfer Qantas Points, no status credits.
Final Words
Family Transfers are a convenient way for families to manage their point balances. Most of all, it gives you options that you may not otherwise have had. You can consolidate any points that children earn into one account. Alternatively, you can donate points to a family member to help them get the points for a Reward.
The Family Transfer option with Qantas is similar to the Family Transfer offer of the Velocity program. However, Qantas does not offer an equivalent to the family pooling option offered by Velocity.