Planning a Euro trip using your Qantas Points?
Just because you've found flights to Europe doesn't mean they're the best use of your Qantas Points! Today I'm going to share some secrets to make sure you get the most value out of your points when you're planning your European trip.
The route, your departing and arriving cities, and the airline carrier can mean the difference between thousands of points — and thousands extra in flight fees!
After sifting through hundreds of Business Class reward seats to Europe this week, here are the sweet spots I look for to get the best value for my members inside The Points Hub.
Understanding these tips will stretch your points dramatically further!
Sweet Spot #1: The 167,000 vs 182,900 Points Trick
Most Australia to Europe Business Class reward flights are priced at 182,900 Qantas Points each way. But a big chunk quietly come in at just 167,000 — a saving of around 16,000 points per person!
Pick a “closer” gateway. Cities like Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Budapest, Vienna and Warsaw are all often priced at 167,000 even from the east coast, while London, Paris and Amsterdam sit at 182,900. Fly into the cheaper gateway city if any of these are on your list of places to visit.
Sweet Spot #2: The Airline You Route Through Can Save You $1,000+ in Taxes
The points airlines charge on these routes are often identical, but the cash taxes swing wildly depending on the airline:
🟢 Via Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific): ~$490–515 in taxes
Via Colombo (SriLankan): ~$700
Via Singapore (British Airways): ~$1,010–1,090
🔴 Via Dubai (Emirates): ~$1,780–1,820
Routing through Hong Kong, Colombo or Singapore instead of Dubai saves roughly $1,000 per person in cash — for the same number of points. For a couple that's about $2,000 back in your pocket; for a family of four, closer to $4,000. Always check whether a Cathay Pacific or SriLankan option exists before you settle for an Emirates fare.
Sweet Spot #3: Where the Availability Actually Hides
Adelaide and Perth punch well above their weight. They're overlooked departure cities, yet they served up the widest choice of European destinations — and Perth gets that cheaper 167,000 pricing on top.
Adelaide in particular often has great availability to Rome and Budapest for the cheaper 167,000 points — compared to 182,900 points flying there from Sydney.
Want the Best Europe Flights Available to Book with Qantas Points Right Now? 👇
I updated all of my favourite Business Class flights to Europe today — for every single month from now through to mid-2027 — with the exact dates, routes, points and seat counts, exclusively inside The Points Hub.
👉 Join The Points Hub today and unlock every flight, every date — instantly, before the seats are gone.