Reply To: Qantas short haul business, is it worth the Avios?

[The Savage Squirrel]

Up to you. Very personally subjective – and whether it’s “worth it” will of course depend on cash fares at the time. To be fair, I quite like using Avios on Qantas domestic because availability is generally good – you’re getting the flight you want rather than your behaviour being controlled by availability.

The majority of short haul Qantas flights have 2-2 recliner seats that are basically generic Premium Economy seats except less good than that (no IFE etc). There are a few A330s and even a 787 or two knocking round on domestic and short-haul international and they’re a whole different ball game and would definitely be “worth it” as they have international class lie-flat seats. Mainly found flying west to Perth I think, but have been known to pop up elsewhere. You’ll have to see what’s scheduled on your route – always with the proviso that plane swaps can and do happen.

Here’s a view of your different potential outcomes – big differences!

https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-business-seat-guide/

The in-air food on all Qantas short haul routes is dire in every cabin, so factor that in at zero value. The lounges on the other hand are reasonable from Qantas hubs; think a a bit nicer than BA Galleries with MASSIVELY better coffee.