Qantas is offering offers free points and free flight vouchers for fully vaccinated Australians. It’s the latest Aussie business to give ‘carrots’ to the public to increase vaccination rates.
The airline is already offering lucky travellers the chance to win free flights for a year and is giving away free frequent flyer points as well as discounts on flights right now.
Anyone above the age of 18 who is part of the Qantas Frequent Flyer programme is eligible to claim the bonuses once they’ve had both doses of the vaccine.
It’s part of Qantas’ “Be Rewarded” campaign that includes their already infamous vaccine ad that has Aussies up and down the country reaching for the tissues.
The airline has announced the launch of prizes for vaccinated Australians to “recognise their role in helping the country get out of lockdown”.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has said that the move will be “really positive” for the company and Australians keen to travel again.
“We know the national target is to get to 70% and 80% in each state, so we’re hoping that will also recognise the people in those states that are a bit behind and encourage them to get vaccinations,” Joyce told the Today programme.
“As the national carrier, we want to recognise those who have made the effort to protect themselves and the community.
“Getting vaccinated is an important step that every Australian can take that brings us that little bit closer to life as we knew it.”
The industry had a “clear vested interest in the success of the vaccine rollout” he said.
“For us, getting the vaccine rate up to 70 and 80% means thousands of people can go back to work.”
How to Claim Qantas Vaccine Bonuses
Starting today, Tuesday, August 24, fully vaccinated Australian-based Frequent Flyers can log into the Qantas App to claim one of three prizes:
- 1000 Qantas points
- 15 status credits (which help Frequent Flyers increase their status)
- $20 flight discount for Qantas or Jetstar
In order to access the offers, you’ll need to download the Qantas App and upload your COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate.
Qantas has said that vaccine certificates will be deleted once verified.
Once you’ve chosen your reward, you’ll automatically be entered into a mega prize draw to win a year’s worth of flights from over 60 destinations across Australia, free accommodation, and free fuel.
There are 10 mega prizes for grabs, with winners being selected from every state and territory.
The rewards will be available until 31 December 2021 so if you’re not yet vaccinated, don’t worry, you’ve still got time.
Joyce has said Australians only had to look overseas to see how vaccines changed the way people lived their lives.
“I was talking to our colleagues in the European airlines; some of them are nearly back to pre-COVID levels,” he said.
“So we know that the countries that are ahead of us in the rollout of the vaccine are seeing life getting back to normal and people starting to have the normal activities that they had before COVID. That’s a great sign for us.”
Qantas Vaccine Passports
Qantas has recently announced that vaccines would be mandatory for all frontline staff from November. According to Joyce, the majority of his employees support the decision.
“Massively, 75% of our people say they think it’s an expectation that their colleagues are vaccinated to protect them, to protect the community and to protect our passengers,” Mr Joyce told Today.
“We think the support behind this is massive. It’s very uplifting to see that support.”
Employees with valid medical exemptions will be able to turn the jab down.
“We have a duty of obligation to protect our employees at work, to protect our passengers when they’re travelling. We know that the vaccine gives you unbelievable protection against COVID-19. Why wouldn’t you take that protection.”
Qantas is still considering introducing vaccine passports for domestic travellers too.
“There are a few complications when it comes to domestic. We’re working through that. No decision has been made on it.”
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