Qantas to revolutionize points scheme

Qantas is working with credit card providers that offer reward schemes through its air services to launch a revolutionary feature allowing Qantas frequent flyers (QFF) to burn as well as earn points as they fly.

The airline looking at integrating its frequent flyer options with its in-flight entertainment system providing frequent flyers with the means to redeem and use points on its planes.

Qantas Frequent Flyer chief executive Simon Hickey said: "The new generation of in-flight shopping will be much more dynamic with a much larger catalogue giving you the ability to earn and burn your points".

The retail operations of the frequent flyer program have been growing following its recent relaunch, with over 1000 products and 100 vouchers now available and is due to expand massively in years to come.

According to Mr Hickey, in-flight catalogue shopping is "clunky" and is not suited to Qantas. A timeframe has not yet been confirmed for the project.

Hickey has said it's hard to see if the economic crisis has caused people to cash in points quicker than usual but added that they are a great "store of value" in hard times. However he predicts that  people will begin using their points more as the crisis put pressure on peoples finances.

He went on to say: "People are asking where's their bonus, they've lost some money in the equities market and are not feeling as rich as they were last year".

Qantas plans to work along-side existing and potential partners such as supermarkets to provide new options that make redeeming points more attractive.

It has also advised members to choose QFF as their credit card rewards program.