QANTAS: Buys the rest of TripADeal holiday packager

Today, Qantas announced its intention to purchase the 49% of TripADeal online travel business that it doesn’t already own.

Back in 2022, it bought a 51% stake in the Byron Bay originated holiday packaging company. This allowed Qantas Frequent Flyers to earn and burn Qantas Points on TripADeal packages.

It will cost Qantas AU$ 211 million, with the purchase to be completed at the end of this month, June, 2024.

How Successful?

Boasting that ‘Billions’ of Qantas Points have been earned and used, the Qantas media release even quotes an example of a record 3.9 million points redeemed for a 35-day round-the-world tour.

“With TripADeal bookings growing at 70 per cent over the last year, and more opportunities to strengthen the offering and realise further synergies, this deal is great news for our customers and the Loyalty business more broadly.”

Andrew Glance, Qantas Loyalty CEO

Qantas hopes that cost and revenue ‘synergies’ will lead to $50 million annually across the Qantas Group. With a frequent flyer base of 15.8 million members, revenue growth has exceeded expectations. Bookings are over $450 million in the last 12 months. That’s double pre-COVID levels.

Qantas wants you to spend some points

In July 2024, Qantas Frequent Flyers will receive a 30 % discount on points bookings. They boast that this is some of the best value for points you can get.

Independent from Qantas

TripADeal will continue to operate as an independent business from Qantas. It will work with other travel partners and airlines, besides Qantas and Jetstar. TripADeal is adding cruises to its packages, which is hoped to be an area of growth.

Founders leaving

It looks like the founders, Norm Black and Richard Johnston, are cashing in and leaving the business. Matt Wolfenden a seven-year veteran of the company has been appointed CEO of the 150 staff based in Byron Bay, and the tour guides around the world in over 30 countries.

2PAXfly Takeout

Qantas has had a chequered history in the travel packaging business. It’s no foolish idea to buy an operation that looks like it has got the business right. I once bought a travel package to Bali from Qantas back in 2016, which had a mistake in its pricing. Qantas effectively paid half of my holiday. And even better, because of our pool turning green, the Four Seasons at Sayan upgraded us to the Royal Villa. We could have had 20 over for dinner in the outdoor dining room!

I’m not much of a package deal person. I usually want far too much tailoring. I tend to use a travel agent to cobble together the elements to my liking. However, given my exprience of ‘mistake’ pricing, I’m happy to have a look through TripADeal.