DBS has quietly added Qantas as a frequent flyer redemption partner last week, making it only the fourth partner one can transfer DBS points to.

The exchange rate is 1 DBS point to 2 Qantas points, at a rate similar to Krisflyer miles and Asia Miles. Redemption has to be made in blocks of 5,000 DBS points to 10,000 Qantas points. Each transfer will incur an administrative cost of $26.75.

What can I use my Qantas Points for?

Apart for redeeming for Qantas flights, you can also use Qantas points for oneworld partner flights. You can also use your Qantas points for Jetstar flights (PSA: don’t do it) and more importantly, for Emirates flights.

Comparable rates to Krisflyer miles for redemptions

For a while now, Qantas has been known to have very generous earn rates, but terrible redemption rates and availability when compared to competitors flying on the same route, or even across oneworld frequent flyer programmes.

Ever since Singapore Airlines has devalued its Krisflyer programme (once in 2017, and a second time in 2019), the redemption rates are now pretty comparable.

For flights from Singapore to Australia, it is slightly cheaper to fly Qantas in Premium Economy and Business, as compared to Singapore Airlines:

Miles/points required for one-way redemption from Singapore to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane

Class	Singapore Airlines Krisflyer (in ‘000 miles)	Qantas Frequent Flyer (in ‘000 points)
Economy	28	28
Premium Economy	47	45
Business	62	60
First	85	90

Northbound, you save about 8,000 miles when you fly with Qantas in Business, although I will suggest you wait until the A380 are refurbished end of the year:

Miles/points required for one-way redemption from Singapore to London

Class	Singapore Airlines Krisflyer (in ‘000 miles)	Qantas Frequent Flyer (in ‘000 points)
Economy	38	40
Premium Economy	64.5	63
Business	92	84
First	125	126

How does Qantas Frequent Flyer compare to other oneworld programmes?

Compared to other oneworld programmes most commonly used in this part of the world, Qantas is slightly on the more expensive side requiring more points for a similar redemption when compared to other oneworld programmes:

Miles/points required for one-way redemption from Singapore to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane

	Qantas Frequent Flyer (in ‘000 points)	Asia Miles (in ‘000 miles)	BA Executive Club (in ‘000 Avios)	JAL Mileage Bank (in ‘000 miles)
Economy	28	25	24.5	25
Premium Economy	45	35	40	N.A.
Business	60	50	60	48
First	90	75	80	72

Miles/points required for one-way redemption from Singapore to London

	Qantas Frequent Flyer (in ‘000 points)	Asia Miles (in ‘000 miles)	BA Executive Club (in ‘000 Avios)	JAL Mileage Bank (in ‘000 miles)
Economy	40	35	35	40
Premium Economy	63	45	70	N.A.
Business	84	70	105	80
First	126	110	140	100

As you can see from the above, JAL Mileage Bank probably offers the lowest redemption rates, but it’s also notoriously difficult to accrue them unless you fly exclusively with them, or in premium classes on oneworld carriers.

Otherwise, Qantas still offers very good earn rates when flying with oneworld carriers (e.g. for SIN-MEL in Premium Economy, you’ll earn 5,200 points on Qantas Frequent Flyer, as compared to 4,125 on Asia Miles, or 2,625 on JAL Mileage Bank), so it may not be a bad idea given that you will have more to spend.