QANTAS: Expands points redemptions on Philippine Airlines

Qantas Frequent Flyers can now use points to book Classic Reward seats across the full Philippine Airlines (PAL) network, opening up 15 new island and regional destinations via Manila.

Qantas Points can now take you beyond Manila to places like Boracay, Cebu and Palawan with their suspiciously perfect beaches and promises that your work-life balance will be, well, rebalanced.

The partnership launched on 28 May 2026 gives members access to Economy, Premium Economy and Business reward seats across PAL’s Australian and international network.

Australian travel to the Philippines is rising, with visitor arrivals up 19% in the first quarter of 2026 from a year ago, according to the Philippine Department of Tourism.

The change

Until now, Qantas members had limited options for using points beyond Manila. Now Qantas points can be redeemed as Classic Reward seats across PAL’s full network, including domestic Philippine flights from Manila and Cebu, plus international routes across Asia, North America, Australia and the Middle East.

For Qantas Frequent Flyers, this gives access to 15 additional Philippine island and regional destinations.

Where can you go?

The big-name additions include Boracay, famous for its beaches; Cebu, a major gateway for diving and island-hopping; and Palawan, home to dramatic limestone landscapes, lagoons and UNESCO World Heritage-listed areas.

Palawan, including El Nido and Coron, is the postcard option. Cebu works well for travellers wanting city, beach and diving in one itinerary. Boracay remains the Philippines’ best-known beach resort island.

Here are the Qantas points it will cost you to get to Manila from Sydney or Melbourne on Classic Rewards on an Airbus A330 flight:

• 90,000 Qantas Points for PAL business class
• 70,800 Qantas Points for PAL premium economy
• 34,700 Qantas Points for PAL economy

From Perth or Brisbane, the cost is a bit less on an A321neo service:

• 73,400 Qantas Points for PAL business class
• 28,200 Qantas Points for PAL economy

Flights from Australia

Philippine Airlines operates 22 weekly flights between Australia and Manila. Daily Sydney–Manila services on Airbus A330 aircraft and daily Brisbane–Manila flights on Airbus A321neoLR aircraft. These routes are now bookable as Qantas Classic Rewards in Economy, Premium Economy and Business, subject to availability.

How to book

Qantas says members can search for PAL Classic Reward availability on qantas.com, including through its reward seat search tool launched in March 2026.

The tool lets members browse seats by destination and cabin type across a 12-month booking window.

The PAL seats join Qantas’ wider pool of Classic Reward seats across Qantas, Jetstar and over 30 partner airlines, including Emirates, American Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines is the Philippines’ flag carrier and its only full-service network airline. Founded in 1941, PAL is Asia’s first commercial airline.

It operates from Manila and Cebu to 29 destinations within the Philippines and 40 international destinations across Asia, North America, Australia and the Middle East.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is a useful addition for Qantas Frequent Flyers, especially those wanting to use points for something more imaginative. Also remember, Qantas runs its own flights to Manila.

Philippines Airlines gets on the whole good reviews for its on-board service, although its hard product can be variable. It also offers some great deals on price. That means you are going to have to weigh up the cost of a cash fare against a points redemption when available

The catch, as always, is availability. If you want Business Class seats during peak holiday periods, bring flexibility, patience and a Plan B.

Points may get you to the beach. They will not stop you overpacking.